Landsort diary 3rd November 2016

13 nets opened at 0645 and closed at 1130 with 60 new birds of 14 species.

 

During the morning we became aware of forecast bad weather for the weekend and beyond, with snow predicted, some of it heavy, especially on our route home. As a result, and after speaking to Pelle and with Liam it was decided that we would be better off leaving Landsort ahead of schedule - tomorrow in fact!!!! This decision resulted in a lot of hectic activity. Nets closed and all bird bags washed and dried. All nets at Bredmar removed and stored.

 

It is now a matter of packing all of our belongings ready for loading on the ferry tonight ready for the 0630 sailing, cleaning all the floors, our room, kitchen, common room etc etc. Should be all done by the time we leave for the ferry!!!!

 

So that's it our time at Landsort for 2016 is finished - 11631 birds ringed - 2nd best year ever. It has been a tremendous experience once again, hard work but rewarding. Our friendships with those at the Obs and on the island mean a great deal to us and it will be a sad time to leave. Although we're looking forward to getting home, having to re-arrange at the last minute rather than as planned will mean it won't be possible to say goodbye and thank you to everyone - we'll just have to come back next year!!!!

 

In the meantime - thank you via the diary to everyone who has helped us, supported our efforts on behalf of the Obs and looked after us during the last 7 1/2 months.

 

So, for the first time since 2nd April - there will be no-one at the Obs overnight!!!!

 

Wind: North

Wind strength: Moderate wind, 4-7 m/s

Temperature: 3

Visibility: Moderate, 4-10 km

Cloud cover: Overcast, 8/8

Precipitation: Snow flurries

Sightings of interest

• Whooper Swan                          Sångsvan             13    Migrating SW 
• Barnacle Goose                         Vitkindad gås      10    Migrating SW 
• White-tailed Eagle                    Havsörn                 1    Flying overhead 
• Common Snipe                         Enkelbeckasin       1    Stationary 
• Great Spotted Woodpecker     Större hackspett   1    Foraging 
• Waxwing                                    Sidensvans          50    Foraging
• Bearded Tit                                Skäggmes              3    Stationary   
• Starling                                      Stare                     10    Foraging               

Birds ringed

• Wren                        Gärdsmyg                      3 
• Robin                       Rödhake                         3
• Blackbird                Koltrast                        16 
• Blackcap                 Svarthätta                      1 
• Blue Tit                   Blåmes                            2 
• Great Tit                 Talgoxe                           5 
• Treecreeper            Trädkrypare                  1 
• Starling                   Stare                               1 
• Brambling              Bergfink                          2 
• Greenfinch             Grönfink                         3 
• Siskin                      Grönsiska                       4 
• Redpoll                   Gråsiska                        16 
• Mealy Redpoll        Gråsiska (flammea)       1 
• Lesser Redpoll       Gråsiska (cabaret)          2                    

Landsort diary 2nd November 2016

A really awful day, with storm force winds blowing rain and sleet horizontally across the island for much of the day, before the wind eased to a 'calm' 13 m/s!!!

 

Apart from venturing out to fill the bird feeders there was not a lot of point in going out, but even that short trip had a reward. As I was filling the feeders something that I first thought was a leaf blew past me on the ground. It was in fact a soaking wet male Chaffinch that was being blown end over end across the ground before hitting the shed and lying upside down and seemingly dead. On picking it up I found signs of life and took it indoors where it spent the next 3 hours in a bird bag above an electric fire. As it dried out we gave it food which it tucked into with enthusiasm. Once dried and ring number noted (ringed here on 4th April 2014) and in a short break between sleet showers we released it and it flew off strongly, even if a bit reluctantly into the 'p**s bush'.

 

More work on old data today, watched a film and relaxed ready for getting the nets open again tomorrow with luck - two days not ringing is more than enough!!!

 

Just Chris & Kay at the Obs overnight.

 

Wind: Northeast

Wind strength: Storm, 25-32 m/s

Temperature: 4

Visibility: Haze, 1-4 km

Cloud cover: Overcast, 8/8

Precipitation: Heavy rain

Sightings of interest

• Barnacle Goose        Vitkindad gås      8    Flying overhead 
•             (Being blown sideways by wind low over obs) 
• Barnacle Goose        Vitkindad gås    60    Migrating SW 
• Starling                     Stare                   50    Foraging

Landsort diary 1st November 2016

The weather was truly awful today - no nets open !!!!!!!!

Kay braved the elements to do much needed washing down at the village while Chris spent the day working on the report of the years activities and analysis of previous years data.

Also spent time clearing up a lot of broken glass from behind the Obs. This had been stored safely ready for disposal but we had not accounted for the ability of youngsters to find things to play with and jump on!!! Fortunately their visit did not result in any cuts, but not sure how!!!

Just Chris & Kay at the Obs last night as two potential new members, who had booked an overnight stay, did not show up - wise them!!!!

Wind: Southeast

Wind strength: Gale, 20-24 m/s

Temperature: 6

Visibility: Haze, 1-4 km

Cloud cover: Overcast, 8/8

Precipitation: Heavy rain

Pictures for the Week

Fly Agaric Fungus

Long-tailed Tit

Wax Wing - Handsome adult male on the left

Male Bearded Tit

Female Bearded Tit

Autumn Shadows