COVID-19

COVID – 19    LATE MARCH UPDATE  

Members accessing the compound are asked to -

·      Follow government advice, rules & regulations as posted & updated on www.gov.uk. Relevant points are:

·      Maintain social distancing (individuals to keep a minimum of two metres apart)

·      Maintain a high-level of hygiene through handwashing

·      Only meet five people from different households outdoors – following social distancing guidelines.

·      Do not gather in a group of more than six.

·      Wear a face covering over your nose & mouth in enclosed spaces if others are present.

An updated Risk Assessment is available on accessing the site. Measures are taken to help prevent the unintentional transmission of Covid-19 in line with government recommendations. Please stay well and as and when government changes restrictions then “normal” service will be resumed.

Monday 19th April 2021

Misty foggy start dropped in a few migrants including at least 8 Chiffchaff,7 Song Thrush, 6 Robin, 4 Blackcap, 2 Wheatear, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Yellow Wag, Black Red, Goldcrest, Grey Plover, Redpoll, Swallow, Whimbrel & Whitethroat plus an absolute classic Siberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita tristis (above). This is our 10th spring record of this race. 6 Sanderling were on the beach & 3 more Whimbrel were heard not seen in the fog.

Still very moths being seen with this female Muslin Moth the first for the year.

Ringing: 5 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, 4 Song Thrush, 2 Linnet, 2 Robin, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Siberian Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler.

Sunday 18th April 2021

Basically 'hunt the migrants' at the moment with meagre rewards although this male Redstart, occasionally singing, which is a rare sound to hear here. Supporting migrants were 5 Swallow, 2 Brambling, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Wheatear, Blackcap & Chaffinch. A single flock of 12 Whimbrel flew north & a Buzzard went high north over the near dock. The regular Black Red was only very occasionally singing on the Fort & the tame Sanderling was present on its usual patch of beach.

Ringing: 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Linnet.

Saturday 17th April 2021

Wheatear

 I'm not going to describe the weather again as I'm sure you can guess...   The highlight was offshore where our overdue first 12 Common Terns and a Sandwich Tern flew north whilst other birds comprised the singing fort Black Redstart still, 3 Blackcaps, a Chaffinch, a Goldcrest, a smart male Lesser Redpoll, 2 Wheatears and three Whimbrel which eventually went south after changing their minds several times.

Ringing: Goldcrest 1, Goldfinch 1, Linnet 1

Friday 16th April 2021

Sanderling

Same same same, a chilly start turning into a lovely, warm, sunny day (as long as you kept out of the cold N wind which reminded you at every turn that we're not quite into full spring yet!); a couple of new migrants comprised a Firecrest and a Blackcap trapped and 2 Whimbrel flew north.   Other birds included the singing Black Redstart still, a Chaffinch, a Chiffchaff, 5 Goldfinches, a Sparrowhawk, a Swallow and 5 Wheatears.

Ringing: Firecrest 1, Blackcap 1, Linnet 2

Thursday 15th April 2021

Painted Lady - given the cool conditions, this first for the year was not really expected

 Still stuck in Groundhog Day with chilly (a generous term) conditions, a NE breeze and largely sunny skies meaning there was little change in birdlife either; bits of note included the singing Black Redstart still, 2 Chaffinches, a Chiffchaff, a Curlew, a Goldcrest, 6 Goldfinches, a Great-crested Grebe, a Song Thrush and 3 Wheatears.

Ringing: Chiffchaff 1, Goldcrest 1

Early Thorn - still very few moths being caught (unsurprisingly given the prevailing weather!), Early Thorn has two generations, one now with the second in late summer

Wednesday 14th April 2021

High pressure & cool light north-easterlies are not doing us any favours at all. In the migrant department 3 Wheatear, Blackcap, Brambling, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest & Swallow plus a visit from a wandering Great Spotted Woodpecker. Difficult to say that the now, territorial, Black Redstart singing off the Fort is currently a migrant as it has settled in and what an absolute delight to hear his dulcet tones cascading out from one of several vantage points it has chosen. 15 Sanderling were on the beach first thing soon departed plus a singleton on the shore a short time later.

Ringing: 2 Linnet, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.