Hen Harrier plus Woodcock influx

9th January 2010 - bright and frosty NE1/2
Grounded Migrants
A few winter thrushes continue to linger from recent cold weather influxes.
Diurnal Migration
Two Whooper Swan and a skein of 105 Pink-footed Geese flew south.
Wildfowl and Waders
An influx of Woodcock was evident with 10 birds scattered across the island, several of which were found feeding out in the open. The Barnacle Goose flock increased to 38 birds and additional waterfowl displaced by the current extreme weather included 18 Shoveler, 3 Pochard, 2 Gadwall and a Scaup.
Miscellaneous
A Hen Harrier hunted over the island and other raptors included Merlin and Little Owl. A flock of 100 Twite were logged while 2 Raven included a colour ringed bird.
Images
A record shot of one of today's Woodcock, it almost succeeded in hiding amongst a flock of Starling.
If visiting the island please try to avoid disturbance to roosting and feeding birds, the continuing freeze is now beginning to have a noticeable affect, especially amongst wildfowl and waders which are now starting to struggle to survive as temperatures remain below freezing.