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 Translation: Liis

November 2nd

 

Little bunting 01.11.2012 Dirham harbour, 9th Estonian observation (photo: Aivar Veide)

 

Yesterday afternoon a report arrived by Rariliin  (Birdline) that a little bunting (Emberiza pusilla) (Melanitta fusca)was present in Dirham harbour in Läänemaa. This species with a north-easterly range has been seen in Estonia earlier only 8 times. Since I had definite plans to watch birds at Põõsaspea on the weekend anyway I simply started a little earlier. The weather was predicted to turn quite rainy, with poor weather this rarity would maybe stay in place. As we reached Dirham harbour the rain became worse but despite this we found the bird quite easily. During the day twitchers from near by and far off came to Dirham and all managed to see the bird. For me the little bunting is the 273rd species in my 2012 list.

 

November 3rd

In the morning the rain had passed but now watching was disturbed by thick fog. To start with we again went to Dirham harbour to see if the little bunting was in place as before. And yes, it was there. The twitchers who arrived in the morning managed to see the bird nicely but at midday it wasn’t to be found any more. Maybe it at last decided to continue its migration in the fair weather?

Fortunately the fog lifted quickly and I stayed telescoping for some hours at Cape Põõsaspea. But unfortunately no particular migration was to be seen. Only velvet scoters  (Melanitta fusca) and long-tailed ducks (Clangula hyemalis) were on the move in somewhat greater numbers, some razorbills (Alca torda) too. The Põõsaspea observations can be seen in the e-Biodiversity database.