Quiet day on the rock

A relatively quiet day on the rock in unseasonal weather with temperatures around 30 C. Bird of the day from a regional perspective was a Pied Flycatcher- the third record for the Azores. Other new migrants included a Ruff and a Willow Warbler but with westerly winds picking up as the day progressed, hopes are building for a return of migrants coming from the opposite direction.

Remaining birds on the island included one of the 'Rough-legged Hawks', 2 Lesser Yellowlegs, 1 Semipalmated Sandpiper, 5 Glossy Ibis, 2 Wilson's Snipes, 1 Yellow-billed Cuckoo, 1 Red-eyed Vireo, 2 Blue-winged Teal, 1 Ring-necked Duck and the flock of hybrid Mallard x Black Duck (12 birds today).

The Belted Kingfisher was relocated on the neighbouring island of Flores so tomorrow half of the island's birders are off twitching.

Rough-legged Hawk/Buzzard from early October (Peter Stronach).