Saturday 23rd July 2011

The weather consisted of a fresh west north-westerly wind turning north-north westerly. There was very little cloud cover. There was some overnight rain. Very few migrants were recorded, 1 Oystercatcher went south as did 2 Sand Martin and 2 Swallow. A juvenile Sparrowhawk was seen hunting over the Bird Observatory. A male Blackcap was found as was a new Reed Warbler and a Yellow Wagtail. 19 Common Tern were observed fishing close offshore. 9 birds ringed today; 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Common Whitethroat, 2 Blackbird, 3 Greenfinch, 1 Chaffinch and 1 Linnet. An Emperor Dragonfly was recorded.

Friday 22nd July 2011

Weather consisted of a moderate north north-westerly wind with quite a bit of cloud cover. Migrants on the move were 1 Cormorant, 1 Ringed Plover, 6 Common Tern, 1 Little Tern, 2 Swift, 4 Sand Martin and 13 Swallow. 2 birds ringed today; 2 Wren. 11 species of butterfly recorded; Small Copper, Red Admiral, Gatekeeper, Small White, Large White, Common Blue, Brown Argus, Speckled Wood, Essex Skipper, Small Heath and Meadow Brown. A Hummingbird Hawkmoth was also recorded.

Thursday 21st July 2011

Weather consisted of a very light north westerly wind with complete cloud cover. There was light to heavy showers early to mid morning. Migrants passing through were 4 Grey Heron, 1 juvenile Hobby, 2 Sandwich Tern, 1 Swift and 2 Yellow Wagtail. 9 Common Tern were observed offshore. A Reed Warbler was present as was a Northern Wheatear. A juvenile Cuckoo was found and ringed. 10 birds ringed today; 1 juvenile Cuckoo, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Greenfinch, 2 Linnet, 2 Blackbird, 1 Great Tit and 1 Wren. A Hummingbird Hawkmoth was found late morning.

Wednesday 20th July 2011

A new adult male Blackcap was a bit unexpected at this time of the year. A few bits going south including 24 Swallows, 19 Sand Martins plus a handful of waders. A Little Egret flew north and a short time later what was presumably the same bird went south.

Tuesday 19th July 2011

The wind was west south-westerly. Birds migrating through were 1 Sandwich Tern, 2 Little Tern, 2 Common Tern, 3 Oystercatcher, 3 Curlew, 2 Yellow Wagtail and 1 Swallow. Also of particular interest were 30 Common Crossbill seen heading south. 8 birds ringed today, 1 Collared Dove, 4 Greenfinch, 1 Blackbird and 2 Dunnock. An impressive number of butterfly species were seen today with 15 species in total found; Small Heath, 2 Speckled Wood, Common Blue, Small Copper, Holly Blue, Comma, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Small White, Large White, Red Admiral, Essex Skipper, Peacock, Small Tort and Brown Argus were all recorded.

Monday 18th July 2011

Weather consisted of a fresh to strong west south-westerly wind. There was complete cloud cover. There were early morning showers then the occasional spots of rain. A very large movement of Swifts were seen heading south with 534 in total counted; other birds on the move were 7 Teal, 2 Oystercatcher, 3 Ringed Plover, 5 Dunlin, 8 Curlew, 4 Redshank and 7 Common Tern. 1 juvenile Lesser Whitethroat was found. 2 birds ringed today; 1 Magpie and 1 House Sparrow. Butterflies recorded included Holly Blue and Gatekeeper.

Sunday 17th July 2011

47 Swifts, 5 Crossbills, 2 Sand Martins & a Yellow Wag south over the obs with a few waders going south offshore including 7 Curlew, 6 Sanderling, 4 Dunlin, 2 Redshank, 2 Ringed Plover and singles of Whimbrel, Barwit & Grey Plover. Still windy but at least no rain so far.