What software are you using for the count Alex?

The FIFA that can’t stop taking bribes from the gulf states is basically an openly corrupt cesspit of corporate grifters seeking only to enrich themselves at ever possible opportunity? That FIFA?!

How far from Eastington gas terminal was this taken?

Congratulations, looks like your dog deserves an award for its ability to disturb wildlife.

They certainly seem to have more considerable local movements than the British race. Had 50+ birds in the gardens on Loop Head (Co. Clare) on 5th October 2012, where they don’t breed. Very plausible odd ones would make it to the Hebs.

It’s certainly what the radar showed over continental US (see previous pics). Also one of the mechanisms Elkins (2004) cited for transatlantic vagrancy…

So not ‘ideal’ conditions for pushing birds across the Atlantic, but very good conditions to put things in the mix. Northern species and stronger fliers like Catharus likely to be particularly favoured in context like this I suspect.

By tonight (Sunday) these two systems close together forcing anything trapped between them to move East as fast as possible. Whilst the calm weather itself will eventually pass just SE of Iceland on Monday.

At the same time as the cold front continued to push SE, the large depression moved NW. Lucky or adept birds (black arrow) may have been able to reoriéntate between the two fronts, but unlucky ones (red arrows) were likely forced further offshore

By Friday night the cold front was moving down through New England and forcing birds ahead of it (see birdcast shot), whilst most birds will have gone into the wind successfully (black arrows) the was still a significant offshore breeze moving any potentially unlucky individuals NE (red arrow)

Radar shows this was associated with a decent movement of birds ahead of the front

As of Thursday night a cold front was pushing SE through the across Hudson Bay & Ontario. This represents one of the biggest temperature drops of the autumn so far with a decent SW wind ahead of the front. Potential for both departure and drifting of migrants out over Drake Passage.

If it’s the conditions that initially misorientate birds which are important then we can expect a decent smattering of American landbirds between Mayo, Northern Isles and Iceland between Monday - Thursday next week.

So conditions across the Atlantic itself haven’t been ‘classic’ with the big former hurricanes that just arrived apparently a bit too wet for more than waders and the odd catharus to survive the crossing. But if maybe we underestimate the importance of initial displacement events of migrants?

@rarebirder.bsky.social

They aren’t critics. They’re deniers. BBC increasingly soft-balling its language for every far right whack job going.

Let me know if anyone finds the audiomoth I left out there!

Bit of gratuitious footage for good measure. Playground sounds in the background for added atmosphere!