Paul Stancliffe from the British Trust for Ornithology looks at the migration of birds on the UK during September.
It feels strange writing a migration blog for Britain when I am much closer to Oslo than London. With Fair Isle so far north it is to be expected that winter visitors might turn up earlier than further south and there is definitely a taste of winter. Since arriving the Snow Bunting flock has grown, and the first Fieldfare of the autumn has been joined by small flocks of Redwings.
Snow Bunting. Credit: Trevor Codlin
Summer hasn't given up quite yet though; there are still small numbers
of Whinchats, Wheatears, Blackcaps and Willow Warblers, all birds that
are making their way to Africa. These summer visitors were joined
today by a Swallow and a House Martin.
Wheatear. Credit: Trevor Codlin
Further south, migration is in full swing. Swallows are moving out of
the country in force, and the first Brent Geese are turning up, it
really is a great time to see summer meeting winter. It is also a
great time to see rare and scarce visitors, particularly here on Fair
Isle. Yesterday saw a record count of Yellow-browed Warblers turn up.
A remarkable 53 were found around the island, remarkable not only
because no other single site has received this many on a single day
before but because the normal wintering area for this species normally
spends the winter months in Southeast Asia.
Yellow-browed Warbler. Credit: Trevor Codlin
The forecast high-pressure system should see migration continue apace,
with more summer visitors leaving and winter visitors arriving.
Chiffchaff should begging to outnumber Willow Warblers at coastal
watchpoints and we could all see Redwings.
