Thursday 6th October 2011

A very windy day, the weather consisted of a fresh west north-westerly wind, at times considered a near gale! There was much cloud. Migrants observed passing through were 1 Brent Goose, 1 Black-throated Diver, 1 Gannet, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Golden Plover, 4 Grey Plover, 2 Dunlin, 1 Curlew, 1 Kittiwake, 45 Swallow, 319 House Martin, 4 Pied Wagtail, 42 Meadow Pipit, 29 Goldfinch, 26 Siskin and 4 Redpoll. Highlight of the day was a Grey Phalarope seen briefly on the river behind the Bird Observatory. 4 birds ringed in total today, this poor figure is partly due to the windy weather conditions as only some of the nets were open; birds ringed were 2 Chiffchaff and 2 Blackcap. A Red Admiral butterfly was observed migrating south through the windy conditions! A Scarce Bordered Straw was in the moth traps.