Vis Mig close to home

This morning as I was walking the dog I got the impression there were a few birds on the move and a timely call from Frank Cackett found me heading approx 2 miles South of Northfleet to a high point that I found a few weeks ago to be good for scanning for visible migration.

The area overlooks a number of fields and to the North lies Northfleet, Gravesend and the A2.

The two sessions I spent today proved to be pretty rewarding with rarely a dull moment and always something of note to count.

First session (1055-1210), second session (1550-1650)

Chaffinch 290 all moving West often in small groups, 129 later on

Siskin 1, 6 in the afternoon

Redpoll 4

Fieldfare (as pictured 'poorly' above) 24, another 26 in the afternoon

Redwing 124, 98 in the second session

Mipit 2

alba Wag 3, 2 later on

Skylark 9, only 1 later on

Starling 459

Grey Wagtail 1

Yellowhammer 2

Jay, possibly a local bird.

On the raptor front, the day saw a cracking Peregrine this afternoon, 2 Common Buzzards, 3+ Kestrels, and 3+ Sparrowhawks. It would be interesting to know the full scale of the movement today and numbers involved, clearly across quite a broad front.