Wednesday 14th September 2011

Weather was a moderate to fresh west south-westerly wind, there was no cloud cover. Migrants seen passing through were 3 Mute Swan, 2 Pintail, 1 Gannet, 1 Kestrel, 7 Dunlin, 1 Common Gull, 6 Sandwich Tern, 32 Sand Martin, 1086 Swallow, 644 House Martin, 12 Tree Sparrow, 36 Yellow wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail, 13 Pied Wagtail, 2 Tree Pipit, 875 Meadow Pipit, 44 Chaffinch, 14 Greenfinch, 24 Goldfinch, 352 Siskin, 30 Linnet and 4 Redpoll. It was an excellent day for raptor migration waith 4 Marsh Harrier seen passing through, also 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Common Buzzard and 1 Hobby recorded. Grounded migrants were 25 Chiffchaff, 8 Willow Warbler, 25 Blackcap, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 14 Common Whitethroat, 9 Northern Wheatear, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Black Redstart and 2 Common Redstart. The first Firecrest of the autumn was also recorded. 61 birds ringed today; 14 Blackcap, 15 Chiffchaff, 16 Meadow Pipit, 4 Willow Warbler, 1 Chaffinch, 2 Robin, 1 Firecrest, 2 Blue Tit, 3 Common Whitethroat, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Great Tit and 1 Dunnock. Several butterfly species were found including Comma, Small Copper and Small Heath.