twenty third to twenty ninth January – Some calm climate and early arrivals

January 30, 2023

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Delicate, particularly on
clear sunny days. Clear with mild southerlies on the twenty third and twenty fourth. Reasonable
westerlies on the twenty fifth introduced low cloud and drizzle. Principally overcast with
average winds from the west and northwest to finish the week.

It’s beginning to really feel spring-like in Millcombe with Tune
Thrush, Robin, Dunnock and Wren singing throughout the calm sunny mornings.

A excessive rely of 15 Teal had been seen on Pondsbury on twenty sixth. The
Greylag Goose continues to be seen in Barton Area with solely occasional flights
to different fields. A Feral / Racing Pigeon flew alongside the West Coast on twenty sixth,
very paying homage to the Rock Doves they initially developed from. A Woodpigeon
was in Millcombe between the twenty third and twenty fifth. Additionally in Millcombe, Water Rail
proceed to be heard calling from under Millcombe Pond. A Sparrowhawk was seen
on twenty third and a Merlin on twenty third and twenty sixth. The long-staying Jackdaw continues to be
current within the Village and farm fields.

Merlin, West Coast © Stuart Cossey

Pairs of Oystercatcher are beginning to defend territories
alongside the East Coast with their calls simply heard. A single Golden Plover was
recorded on the twenty fourth and twenty sixth. Three Snipe had been flushed by Pondsbury on twenty sixth.

Oystercatcher, Touchdown Bay © Stuart Cossey

There was some good seawatching this week with a number of giant
flocks of Kittiwake off the East Coast. 300 had been counted on twenty sixth and 200 on
twenty seventh. 4 Frequent Gull had been seen with them on the twenty sixth. Additionally on the twenty sixth, a
very early Manx Shearwater and 154 Fulmar had been seen off the West Coast. A Nice
Northern Diver continues to be feeding within the Touchdown Bay and as much as 200 Herring Gulls
proceed to be seen within the farm fields, drawn to the sheep feed.

The primary Skylarks of the yr had been seen this week with one
on twenty third and one other on twenty eighth. As much as 4 Goldcrest had been recorded in Millcombe. A
Mistle Thrush was by Quarter Wall on twenty third and a Redwing was seen on twenty fourth.
Stonechat had been a extra widespread sight with three on twenty third, two on twenty fourth and singles
on twenty seventh to twenty ninth. A Pied Wagtail was recorded on the twenty third and two had been current
on twenty sixth.

The variety of Chaffinch recorded has assorted however the identical
flock of as much as 22 continues to be in Millcombe. Single Siskin had been seen on twenty third and
twenty fifth and a Goldfinch and three Linnet had been seen on twenty fourth.

In non-avian information, the easterly winds have washed numerous particles onto Touchdown Bay Seashore and Christie’s Quay. In addition to the unpleasant plastic air pollution there have been Goose Barnacles and numerous Shark and Skate egg instances, together with Blonde Ray, Noticed Skate and Small-spotted Catshark.