Sunshine and the rain

Today, after ten days of sunshine, several heavy rainfalls took place at our base. Therefore early morning seawatching was rather boring. 

The most interesting was movement of Cormorant flocks to the south-west. Over 200 individuals disappeared behind the horizon. 

First Hobby Falco subbuteo opened autumn migration season for raptors. As the Lao on mainland ( more or less straight north from Kihnu island) is well known good spot for autumn raptor migration, it is expected to be interesting raptor autumn migration also here. Also Bar-tailed Godwits Limosa lapponica were on the move, a flock of 6 individuals (probably adult females) passed the southern cape.

Evening with changing light and colours.  Photo by Tarvo Valker

Rainfall is good for counting feeding waders - so I checked sand tunes again on the late evening. West coast of Kihnu island seems to be good spot for observing waders on stopover. Todays selection: Greenshank Tringa nebularia (16), Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea (11), Dunlin Calidris alpina (10) and Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula (10).