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No godwits have penetrated this far yet but we heard Redwings migrating north on Friday night, calling as they flew out to sea and on to the birch woods of the North West Fjords. These Redwings have spent the winter in Ireland and western Britain.
We had a wonderful walk in the hills this morning, searching for and finding Harlequin Ducks, which look faintly comical in bird books but are really impressive when seen coping with fast-flowing water. Our first Wheatear of the trip was already setting up its territory along the edge of the lava field. It’s amazing that these Robin-sized birds, with their flashy white rumps, have travelled all the way from south of the Sahara to breed here. Perhaps this bird was one that called in at Portland Bill two weeks ago. In a couple of weeks time there will be a rush of extra Wheatears, as birds on their way to Greenland gather for the last leg of the journey.
We shall be up early in the morning to start looking for colour-ringed Godwits again. I hope that lots of people in Britain & Ireland have managed to check out flocks over the weekend. We are expecting to see lots more birds towards the end of the week when the winds should become more favourable for migration.
Graham Appleton
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