October is always an interesting time in the bird world; the early autumn migrants begin to tail off early in the month and are then replaced by the late autumn migrants from mid-month.
Some of the first to arrive are Redwings and Fieldfares, often passing over in large numbers as they head towards southern Europe for the winter. The first of each species was seen on the 13th.
Chaffinch, Linnet, Siskin, Skylark and Meadow Pipit have all started passing over, although some are in good numbers they are below the average this year for unknown reasons.
Wood Pigeons which can often be seen passing over in huge flocks, sometimes numbering in the thousands are yet to get started, possibly due to the run of westerly winds late in the month, but as November comes, they are likely to start arriving.
Brent Geese have now returned in good numbers to our shores with just over 1,200 being counted in Grouville Bay alone, so we are close to full wintering population numbers.
On the rarities front, the Channel Islands first Bay-breasted Warbler was caught on Quaisné Common by local ringer David Buxton on the 9th, where it remained until the 11th. This North American Warbler has only been recorded in the British Isles on two previous occasions!
Other rarities include a Glossy Ibis at Fauvic, a Sabine’s Gull past Corbiere and an Island record count of four Caspian Gulls at Petit Port on the 18th.
Author – Romano da Costa
Photo credits – Romano da Costa – Images – Caspian Gull, Glossy Ibis & Bay-breasted Warbler
