Saturday 13th August 2011

Weather consisted of a moderate to fresh south south-westerly wind. There was complete cloud cover. There was drizzle to light rain very early in the morning. Migrants observed passing through were 72 Teal, 5 Shoveler, 4 Tufted Duck, 27 Common Scoter, 3 Cormorant, 9 Oystercatcher, 9 Ringed Plover, 2 Golden Plover, 12 Grey Plover, 2 Knot, 16 Dunlin, 26 Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Whimbrel, 1 Curlew, 1 Greenshank, 2 Turnstone, 5 Sandwich Tern, 9 Swift, 5 Sand Martin and 36 Swallow. Highlight of the morning was a female Velvet Scoter moving south with Teal at 07:15hrs. A Pied Flycatcher was found within the Bird Observatory compound, the first of the autumn. A Whinchat was seen out on the reserve. A juvenile Cuckoo was found mid-day within the compound. 7 birds ringed today; 1 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Willow Warbler, 1 juvenile Cuckoo, 1 Greenfinch and 1 Linnet. A Migrant Hawker Dragonfly was recorded.

Friday 12th August 2011

Weather consisted of a light to gentle westerly wind. Migrants seen passing through were 2 Gannet, 1 Curlew, 2 Sandwich Tern, 23 Common Tern, 6 Sand Martin, 28 Swallow and 1 Yellow Wagtail. A Black Redstart was found; also seen was a male Blackcap and a Willow Warbler. There was a Lesser Whitethroat found and 2 Common Whitethroat. 5 birds ringed today; 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Wren, 1 male Sparrowhawk and 1 Woodpigeon. A Migrant Hawker Dragonfly was recorded. Butterflies seen included Speckled Wood and Common Blue.

Thursday 11th August 2011

Weather consisted of a fresh to strong south westerly wind. There was much cloud cover. Migrants observed passing through were 3 Gannet, 2 Oystercatcher, 7 Ringed Plover, 1 Sanderling, 4 Sandwich Tern and 20 House Martin. 4 Willow Warbler were recorded. 3 birds ringed today; 1 Willow Warbler and 2 Greenfinch.

Wednesday 10th August 2011

A small arrival of new Robins today (at least 10 on site) plus a couple of Willow Warblers. New Robins at this time of the year will be dispersing juveniles kicked out by their parents looking for winter territories - as soon as they get a red breast then mum & dad are no longer nice to them as they are now seen as competition. Plenty of birds on the reserve with good numbers of Linnets, Greenies, Starlings plus a healthy flock of House Sparrows around the cottage. On the move vacating our shores 19 Swifts, 69 House Martins, 67 Swallows & 9 Sand Martins going south. Also on the move a handful of waders going south offshore plus a lone Common Scoter north. A single Painted Lady is the second in two days and hopefully indicates an upturn in the fortunes after what has been a very poor year for this species.

Tuesday 9th August 2011

The weather consisted of a moderate north-westerly wind, as the morning went on the wind became quite strong. Birds on the move were 2 Canada Geese, 1 Cormorant, 15 Oystercatcher, 1 Hobby, 2 Redshank, 2 Sandwich Tern, 4 Common Tern and 55 Swallow. Out on the reserve was 1 Northern Wheatear. Also seen today was 1 Yellow Wagtail and a juvenile Green Woodpecker. Warblers found were 1 Willow Warbler, 4 Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Common Whitethroat. 4 birds ringed today; 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 juvenile Green Woodpecker and 2 Wren. An Emperor Dragonfly was recorded and a Migrant Hawker. 9 species of butterfly were found including 1 Painted Lady.

Monday 8th August 2011

Weather consisted of a moderate west north-westerly wind. There was much cloud. Migrants on the move were 1 Shelduck, 4 Cormorant, 2 Oystercatcher, 3 Ringed Plover, 1 Dunlin, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 57 Barnacle Geese, 8 Redshank, 1 Turnstone, 1 Common Tern, 11 Sand Martin and 44 Swallow. 7 Wheatear were seen out on the reserve. A Reed Warbler was also found. 3 birds ringed today; 2 Whitethroat and 1 Reed Warbler. A Migrant Hawker Dragonfly was recorded.

Sunday 7th August 2011

Trickle of waders going past including 9 Oyks, 8 Knot, 4 Whimbrel, 2 Turnstone, 2 Dunlin, a Barwit, a G.P. & a Ringo. Also on the move a handful of hirundines. Migrants in the bushes a bit non-existent with the highlight being a dispersing Great-spotted Woodpecker. On the reserve 2 Wheatears with 30 Common Terns feeding off the point. Several Whitethroats & Lesser Whitethroats scattered about may well be starting to include the odd migrant but with 5 pairs of Whitethroats & 3 pairs of Lessers having bred this year it is impossible to tell migrants from the offspring of the nesters. The strengthening WSW winds are not conducive to producing any excitement amongst the wildlife as well as the observers !