Brambling

 A female Brambling was frequenting the neighbours conifer today.

A Pied Wagtail sporting a ring was at the outflow.

Correction!

Having just checked in Collins, Mammals of Britain and Europe, I think they are Common Seals with the more dog like appearance.

Shetland Highlights!

I would normally keep the Thornton Blog for Thornton birds but I weakened! So here are some Shetland celebs! Hooded Crow is everywhere as are Ravens.

 My first tick of the trip a Buff bellied pipit from North America or Asia. Much less streaked than Meadow Pipit and, well buffer!

 My favourite, Yellow-Browed Warbler from the Siberian Taiga. There is bound to be one some where in Leicestershire just waiting to be found.

 The Snowball! Hornemanns Arctic Redpoll.

 1st winter Black Guillemot.

 Is it a Pallid Harrier? I hope so!!!!

 Siberian Stonechat showing the lovely plain rump.

 A female Blackcap, one of my favourite birds.

 Photogenic Grey Seals, these ones on the rocks near to Tesco in Lerwick!

So what is frequenting Thornton, well we did the October Webs count. No surprise, both the Scoter and Ruddy ducks had departed, but the highlight was a stunning Kingfisher in the autumn sunshine. Other birds today included a male Blackcap,  Goldcrests, Redwing, and Skylarks. Two migrating Swallows were also seen, but I am confused as to why they were flying north!

Common Scoter.

 A group of 5 Common Scoter, one male and 4 females on the res. at 0830 11th Oct.

 They were still present at 1830 and best viewed from the east bank.(Stoney Bank)

There is also a single Ruddy Duck with the Tuftys. Will the Scoter stay for Sundays Webs count? I have my doubts!

Marsh Harrier.

The Marsh Harrier was still present at 1330 today 26th Sept. It was hunting over Thornton and Browns Wood. At about 1400 it flew over the village and disappeared towards Desford lakes. Two Ravens also flew over at 1030.

Raptors.

 A juvenile Sparrowhawk takes a rest on the decking.

A juvenile or female Marsh Harrier was hunting over Browns Wood at 1530 today(24th Sept). Probably a juvenile as the plumage looks very fresh. Also a pair of Wigeon and a Kingfisher on the res and plenty of hirundines.

Recent sightings.

Breaching Gervais beaked whale, at sea 200 miles west of Morocco and not on the res!

It has been rather quiet recently with few sightings of note and I have also been away. The highlight was a fly through Osprey on the 28th August. There were also up to four Spotted Flycatchers at the end of the month, some juvs indicating breeding success. On the 17th September a Hobby and 2 Ravens were fly overs. The first Webs count took place on the 16th and over 700 birds were recorded. This included 235 Mallard and 147 Coot. Up to 5 Grey Wagtails have been at the out flow and today a juv. Blackbird was trying to eat a freas water Crayfish. The highlight of my recent vacation was the sighting of a Gervais Beaked Whale 200 miles off the Moroccan coast. This species is rarely recorded alive at sea.