Monday 21st April 2025

 A bit more variety today as we found ourselves in overcast weather with some light rain overnight. There seemed to be quite a few new, calling Lesser Whitethroats arrived. It's not always easy to judge how many or if it's the same male just singing from bush to bush as he goes! Other migrants through, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sedge Warbler, 3 White Wagtail, 8 Wheatear and 2 Yellow Wagtail. 

A bit more to look at on the sea also; 5 Common Tern, 1 Curlew, 3 Kittiwake and 50 Whimbrel. 

Likely the last Fieldfare of the Spring but you never truly know.

In the trap this beautiful Lime Hawk-moth. Quite the rarity here but not surprising as we don't have any lime trees!

Ringing: 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Linnet, 1 Sedge Warbler, 3 Willow Warbler

Sunday 20th April 2025

Not ideal wind conditions today for bird watchers or bird ringers alike but we persevere with a few notable sightings. A Yellow Wagtail in-off the reserve and 1 Whimbrel flew North. Also 1 Black Redstart, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Song Thrush, 5 Wheatear, 1 Whitethroat and 1 White wagtail still.

We have around 20 House Sparrows who like to hang out around the Ranger's cottage. They are actually very canny and hardly ever end up in the ringing room despite living here year round.

Doing well for early butterflies though this week! A Common Blue almost three weeks earlier than last year.

Ringing: 1 Willow Warbler.

Saturday 19th April 2025

 

A gusty and overcast morning as South Easterlies continue to turn up migrants in dribs and drabs. 2 Whimbrel dropped in early doors for an hour or so. Also 2 Black Redstarts still and up to 7 Wheatears around. There have been a couple new Song Thrush really belting it recently. Also 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Peregrine, 3 Med Gull, 2 Swallow and 1 Whitethroat.

At sea the first Tern of the year; a Common! Also 2 Brent Geese, 7 Common Scoter, 1 Dunlin, 1 Fulmar and 3 Gannet. 

In the trap this Brindled Pug - one of the earliest pugs on the wing. Failed to get one at all last year so here you go.

Ringing: 1 Chiffchaff

Friday 18th April 2025

 A little on the windier side today than originally expected. However, an early record of Painted Lady was a welcome find in the moat on the Green Alkanet. This migratory butterfly can cover up to 100 miles a day reaching speeds of 30mph. Unfortunately we can't ring butterflies but it's nice to wonder where this reasonably worn individual might of traveled from.

In the avian department we were today visited by 2 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 House Martin, 4 Jackdaw, 3 Med Gull, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Skylark, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Sparrowhawk, 9 Swallow, 5 Wheatear and 2 Whitethroat. 

Swallow Prominent Moth lives on the poplars in small numbers here.

Ringing: 2 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat

Thursday 17th April 2025

 

Very pleasant morning with migrants including 15 Blackcap, 11 Wheatear, 3 Sedge Warbler, 2 Swallow, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warbler, Meadow Pipit, Song Thrush & the first Garden Warbler of the spring. Yet another new Cetti's turned up. Overhead southbound 20 Wood Pigeon & 2 Little Egret. Offshore some Med Gulls coming & going but, otherwise, dire.

The first Dark Sword-grass of the year, which is an immigrant species that is suspected of having permanent colonisation in mind.

Ringing: 8 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Wren.

Wednesday 16th April 2025

 

Windy morning. Migrants include 5 Wheatear, 5 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap, Song Thrush & a Marsh Harrier flying south.

Ringing: 5 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap.

Tuesday 15th April 2025

 

 

Finally a few April showers to break the dry spell and even a couple cracks of thunder for added effect. Today marked the first Lesser Whitethroats of the year of which we had 4. Plenty of other migrants to accompany; 15 Blackcap,1 Black Redstart, 10 Chiffchaff, 1 Brambling, 1 Chaffinch, 9 Meadow Pipit, 2 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush, 5 Swallow, 8 Wheatear, 4 Whitethroat and 6 Willow Warbler. 

Numbers of moths and diversity of species is still really poor this year. The Light Brown Apple Moth is considered an invasive species from Australia and probably colonised here around the 1930s. 

Ringing: 2 Blackbird, 6 Blackcap, 8 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Wren