Wednesday 18th September 2024

 

Willow Emerald Damselflies have been noted yesterday & today. Are these newly in from the continent in these prevailing winds or just dispersing from sites inland - we will never know ?

NE wind made birding hard work. Offshore southbound 79 Brent, 27 Wigeon, 18 Teal, 8 Gannet, 2 Oyk, Curlew, Great-northern Diver & Hobby with northbound 15 Wigeon, 6 Swallow, 4 Common Scoter & 4 Sandwich Tern was a poor return considering the number of observers who had had enough of looking at the sea by mid-morning. On site migrants include 6 Chiffchaff, 4 Mipit, 2 Lesser 'throat, 2 Wheatear, 2 Yellow Wag, Reed Warbler, Snipe & Willow Warbler.

Black Rustic is an autumnal flyer first noted in 1993 that quickly established itself over the following years.

Ringing: 1 Blue Tit, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler.

Tuesday 17th September 2024

A quieter morning was full of promise with a good wind direction and cloud the previous night. At least 2 pied flycatchers were present in the compound with a spotted flycatcher feeding in the holm oaks at the front of the observatory, though yesterdays red-breasted flycatcher was not refound.  A tree pipit was new in, but the best bird of the day was a 1st year barred warbler, the first seen here in over 3 years. The lucky observers present were very pleased to see this scarce visitor. 

Insects have had an odd year, with many species in much lower numbers than usual, perhaps due to the wet spring weather. An example of this is the presence of only 5 wasps in the moth traps despite 6 months of nightly trapping. 

Birds Ringed: Barred Warbler 1, Blue Tit 1, Chiffchaff 3, Great Tit 1, Meadow Pipit 2, Willow Warbler 1. 

 

Monday 16th September 2024

Another slight change in the weather and another interesting species that hasn't visited here in 4 years. Late morning a 1st year Red-breasted Flycatcher was found in the Observatory compound. Interestingly it had a Danish ring, which makes it one of only 4 foreign ringed RB Flycatchers to be processed in Britain, and quite probably the first Danish ringed bird. It stuck around the observatory well into the evening, pleasing the few late observers who turned up to pay their regards. 

Aside from this, it was a relatively quiet morning, with singles of pied flycatcher, purple sandpiper, rock pipit, yellow wagtail and wheatear around the reserve and a small movement of chiffchaffs and great tits passing through. 

First noted in 2007, Cypress Pug is now annual here, wandering down here from ornamental conifers.

Birds Ringed: Blackcap 2, Chiffchaff 3, Dunnock 1, Great Tit 3, Grey Wagtail 1, Meadow Pipit 1, Whitethroat 1, Wren 1.  

Sunday 15th September 2024

 

Another pleasant morning with a right old mix. Southbound at least 685 Swallow, 34 Teal, 23 Sand Martin, 11 Gannet, 7 Mipit, 6 Dunlin, 4 Brent, 4 Grey Wag, 2 Oyk, Common Gull, Swift & Turnstone. On site migrants or visitors included 8 Chiffchaff, 6 Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 2 Jackdaw, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Lesser 'throat, 2 Wheatear, Redstart, Reed Bunting, Reed Warbler & Whitethroat. Purp & Turnstone were on the point plus 46 Sandwich Tern & a Common Tern offshore.

Dowdy Plume occasionally erratically appears in the moth traps a few times most years.

Ringing: 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Reed Bunting.