Stewchat...

Above - Bar tailed Godwits with Knot and other waders.


This morning at 7.30am Redwings could be heard 'seeping' overhead in the darkness at home and on my way to work a Woodcock flew over the road in the car headlights at Amble. Could these be newly arrived birds or winterers moving around? I know Woodcock are nocturnal feeders but what are Redwings doing high overhead when it is far from daylight?

I think that our most common ideas of migration seasons may be too restrictive. If our regular winter birds find a mild climate without a sea crossing say, in the low countries, what is to stop them just moving through as the food supply over there dwindles or the weather is more suitable to migrate. Will global warming force October into January?

Right thats it, I'm off to get a Pallas's this weekend!

I see another belated first for Britain has been reported today. A couple of weeks ago a Glaucous-winged Gull was present for two days in Gloucestershire at a tip where it was trapped and ringed. Nice record, but a pity it wasn't available to the masses. You know, I bet its still around there somewhere...
See the photos on www.birdingworld.co.uk