Saturday 6th September 2025

 

Sparrowhawk - not the best point of view if you are a Linnet.

Light Southerlies and a decent amount of cloud cover; what more could you ask for? At least 3 Pied Flycatcher present around the compound and a young Male Redstart out the front of the observatory in the bushes. 1 Spotted Flycatcher making it's way around the tops of the trees and a Nightingale also seen in the scrub. Still catching Willow Warbler but we have began to transition towards Chiffchaff season with around 7 cropping up today and a notable influx of Robin. Offshore turned up a Long-tailed Skua heading South but was lost when it decided to have a little rest on the sea. Other characters worth noting 2 Blackcap, 2 Black Redstart, 6 Grey Wagtail, 5 Meadow Pipit, 29 Pied Wagtail, 15 Robin, 2 Sand Martin, 3 Sparrowhawk, 73 Swallow, 4 Wheatear, 18 Willow Warbler and 6 Yellow Wagtail.

Also movement out at sea 25 Cormorant, 15 Common Tern, 1 Curlew, 4 Gadwall, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Mallard, 5 Med Gull, 2 Redshank, 23 Shelduck, 23 Teal and 7 Turnstone.

966 Agriphila geniculea in the traps this morning with probably twice that number in the bushes nearby!

Ringing: 4 Blackcap, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Great Tit, 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Magpie, 3 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Redstart, 2 Reed Warbler, 3 Robin, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Willow Warbler. 

Friday 5th September 2025

 

Spotted Flycatcher out front of the observatory quite the crowd pleaser at one point.

After a turbulent start to September, calmer conditions finally got the ball rolling for a bit of migration. At least 2 Spotted Flycatcher were a bit easier to spot than an elusive Redstart seen behind the observatory. Whinchat numbers have doubled to 2 birds usually seen North of the boardwalk. 11 Sand Martin and 144 Swallow fancied this morning a good time to head South. Otherwise an array of migrants including 3 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Grey Wagtail, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 9 Meadow Pipit, 3 Reed Warbler, 10 Robin, 1 Sedge Warbler, 5 Wheatear, 6 Whitethroat, 12 Willow Warbler, 2 Yellow Wagtail. Other notable birds the first Goldcrest of Autumn and a Snipe.

1 Pied Flycatcher late afternoon.

Plumed Fan-foot is a recent colonist having first turned up six years ago.

Ringing: 3 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Reed Warbler, 2 Robin, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Whitethroat, 5 Willow Warbler.

Thursday 4th September 2025

 

Willows still coming through.

Bright and blustery yet enough to encourage a few passerines out. Another showing of Willow Warbler for the most part but a singing Chiffchaff added an odd feel to the morning. Also 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Swift, 3 Wheatear, 1 Whinchat and 2 Yellow Wagtail. Offshore 1 Common Scoter, 1 Common Tern, 2 Gannet, 1 Grey Plover, 10 Sandwich Tern and the first 3 Wigeon this Autumn.

Scarce Bordered Straw is a regular autumn immigrant and varies a lot in numbers year on year. Also known as Cotton Bollworm it is regarded as a pest species across the world.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 7 Willow Warbler.

Wednesday 3rd September 2025

 A morning mostly dedicated to looking out at the big blue. Six species of wader managed with 152 Bar-tailed Godwit South a clear winner. Also 1 Greenshank, 17 Grey Plover, 20 Knot, 4 Oystercatcher and one 1 Whimbrel. Also over the water 14 Common Tern, 1 Cormorant, 4 Sandwich Tern, 5 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler and 13 Teal. Out in the scrub difficult to find any migrants in these conditions but Whinchat still North of the boardwalk.

Despite the gale always pleasing to see a Burnished Brass finding the moth trap.

Ringing: Nil.

Tuesday 2nd September 2025

22 Sarnies feeding around the river and beach.

September evidently just needed an extra day to get going as today wasn't quite as punishing. Two Sparrowhawk chasing each other at first light almost ended in fisticuffs. Also a Whinchat out in the reserve and a solid count of 6 Grey Wags passing over. Also of note 1 Blackcap, 2 Black Redstart, 10 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 8 Swallow, 4 Whitethroat, 3 Wheatear and 10 Willow Warbler. Offshore 5 Cormorant and 5 Teal whilst 9 Common Tern in the river.

Cochylimorpha straminea has only appeared 4 times in the past 20 years but more frequently in the past.

Ringing: 1 Blackcap, 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler.

 

Monday 1st September 2025

 

Bumper year for Small Heath.

Bright n' breezy. Birding hard work included 6 Willow Warbler, 4 Lesser 'throat, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Whimbrel, Wheatear & Whitethroat. Southbound 18 Swallow, 4 Sand Martin, 3 Grey Wag & Turnstone.

The fourth site record of Dewick's Plusia with individuals here probably primary migrants coming in.

Ringing: 1 Robin.

August Ringing Totals

 

322 birds of 29 species is over 50% up on last August's paltry total although roughly in par with several previous recent years. Willow's have had a better autumn than in many recent year's presumably aided by a better breeding season & several mornings with light north-westerlies drifting them our way.

Willow Warbler	120
Reed Warbler	29
Whitethroat	20
Lesser Whitethroat	14
Linnet	14
Pied Flycatcher	13
Blue Tit	12
Robin	11
Dunnock	10
Goldfinch	10
Sedge Warbler	10
Grey Wagtail	8
Blackcap	7
Cetti's Warbler	5
Wood Pigeon	5
Garden Warbler	4
Great Tit	4
Blackbird	3
Chiffchaff	3
Green Woodpecker	3
Sparrowhawk	3
Wren	3
Black Redstart	2
Great Spotted Woodpecker	2
Greenfinch	2
Song Thrush	2
House Sparrow	1
Starling	1
Whinchat	1

Sunday 31st August 2025

 

Fewer migrants & variety this morning although included 14 Willow Warbler, 7 Lesser 'throat, 4 Wheatear, 4 Yellow Wag, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, Chiffchaff & Whinchat. Overhead southbound 23 Swallow & 2 Grey Wag. Apart from 8 Teal south offshore other movements out to sea = nil.

First noted 20 years ago, Clancy's Rustic has colonised over the last ten years.

Ringing: 7 Willow Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Robin.