Two nights ago a huge quantity of meadow pipits flew past the boat. All over the decks they were resting and bumping into windows all the while thousand upon thousands were swarming above in the dark.
With the pipits came bramblings and a pair of ciskins also. We had already a brambling on board along with a dozen or so chaffinches and a pair of blackcaps. These however had started to dwindle in numbers despite being fed by the whale watchers. Why you need whale watchers in 30m of water is another thing.
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| Eurasian Ciskin |
Now we have perhaps a dozen each of chaffinches and bramblings, the pair of ciskins, the male blackcap (the female has been MIA a day or two now), a warbler, 4 starlings and a jackdaw. Two days ago there was a kestrel and a sparrowhawk, both of which I missed, two weeks ago a heron, an osprey and a golden plover. Last week there was a Northern Shrike dining on the first batch of chaffinches for a day or two.
To see migrating birds on their journey is quite a spectacle and also quite humbling that creatures so small take on such huge obstacles to get to where they are going. It's almost ironic that this trip I should see this. After 12 years at sea, I have decided to give it all up and place my feet firmly ashore for now. My last trip and one where the birds just don't stop coming. Mine is another type of journey but hopefully I won't slam into a window or fall into a hole full of kerosene and drown.
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