Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) taken yesterday of a ringed bird, unfortunately our efforts to capture it were unsuccessful and the bird remained too distant to get a clear photo of the ring, it may have been one of the 14 ringed in April 2024, or could have been further afield..... frustrating!!!!!
Today, remaining overcast, with few random spells of sunshine, the wind was once again northerly, with the sound of Fieldfare and Redwing moving through first light.
Good visibility out to sea produced; a Marsh harrier, 18 Black-headed gull, 5 Cormorant, 3 Greylag and 2 Red throated divers, all flying south. Flying north where; 3 Common scoter, 3 Red-throated divers, 2 Brent Geese and a Shelduck.
A new Wheatear was spotted - without a ring, on the peninsular and no sign of the Stonechat from yesterday, with it last being seen at dusk. 1 Firecrest was seen and a Common snipe was flushed twice within the observatory, however avoiding nets each time! A Fulmar was also spotted flying along the shore.
Early thorn (Selenia dentaria) - First for spring this year.
Moth trapping - Common quaker and Hebrew character present again, most notable was the Early thorn shown above, this moth has two emergences, in spring and late summer - with the later brood being paler. The moth larvae feed on a variety of deciduous trees.
Ringing: 7 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackbird, 1 Blackcap, 1 Redwing
Today's somewhat grey looking Redwing! (
Turdus iliacus), perhaps one of the last ones until autumn to pass through, with none ringed here in April since 2022!
