Saturday 27th August 2011

Weather consisted of a fresh west south-westerly wind, there was complete cloud cover. Migrants on the move were 1 Cormorant, 22 Oystercatcher, 4 Ringed Plover, 3 Grey Plover, 9 Dunlin, 2 Curlew, 6 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Turnstone, 1 Common Tern, 1 Swift, 14 Sand Martin, 69 Swallow and 4 Yellow Wagtail. On the reserve a Black Redstart and Whinchat were found. There was a Willow Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat and 6 Common Whitethroat also seen. At the point a Purple Sandpiper was the first record of the autumn. A Migrant Hawker Dragonfly was recorded aswell as a Grey Seal.

Friday 26th August 2011

Weather consisted of a moderate to fresh east south-easterly wind, there was complete cloud cover. Migrants observed passing through were 5 Wigeon, 44 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck, 2 Common Scoter, 10 Gannet, 1 Cormorant, 5 Oystercatcher, 12 Grey Plover, 1 Sandwich Tern, 10 Common Tern and 5 Swallow. The highlight today was a Great Skua seen moving north at 08:20 hours. Warblers found were 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 6 Common Whitethroat. A Mediterranean Gull was recorded. 7 birds ringed today; 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Robin, 3 Starling and 1 Collared Dove. Butterflies seen included Small Copper, Common Blue and Comma. A Migrant Hawker Dragonfly was seen.

Thursday 25th August 2011

Weather consisted of a southerly wind. There was complete cloud cover. Highlights today were 1 Razorbill, 8 Ruff, 3 Arctic Skua, 1 Fulmar and 3 Little Gull, all seen on the move. Other birds observed passing through were 7 Wigeon, 19 Teal, 6 Gannet, 12 Oystercatcher, 5 Ringed Plover, 2 Grey Plover, 14 Dunlin, 4 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Turnstone, 11 Sandwich Tern, 15 Common Tern, 3 Swift and 7 Swallow. Warblers present were 1 Willow Warbler and 5 Common Whitethroat. A Black Redstart was found aswell as 1 Northern Wheatear.

Wednesday 24th August 2011

14 Black Terns feeding offshore before they drifted south is a good count for us. Not a huge amount moving offshore but a Ruff flying inland is worth a mention as are an Arctic Tern & Little Gull south. On site a selection of migrants including 12 Willows, 6 Wheatears, 6 Whitethroats, 3 Redstarts, 2 Spot Flys, Lesser 'throat, Blackcap, Garden & Reed Warbler. Overhead a trickle of hirundines & 3 Yellow Wagtails south plus a Crossbill north. In the moth department a Toadflax Pug was our first since 1998 & a Purple Bar paid us a rare visitation.

Tuesday 23rd August 2011

Weather consisted of an east north-easterly wind with complete cloud cover. There was at times heavy rain throughout the morning; by late afternoon the wind had changed to a northerly direction. Migrants on the move were 7 Gadwall, 6 Wigeon, 142 Teal, 1 Shoveler, 1 Common Scoter, 2 Fulmar, 1 Gannet, 1 Cormorant, 15 Oystercatcher, 2 Grey Plover, 1 Arctic Skua, 6 Sandwich Tern, 364 Common Tern, 3 Arctic Tern, 5 Black Tern, 1 Swift and 5 Swallow. Highlights today included a juvenile Dotterel that was seen on the reserve at 19:40 hours; there was also a Roseate Tern adult seen heading south at 19:10hours. 3 Common Redstart were found and 1 Black Redstart. There were also 2 Whinchat recorded and 2 Pied Flycatcher. Warblers seen were 8 Willow Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat and 3 Common Whitethroat. 7 birds ringed today; 2 Common Redstart, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Goldfinch and 1 Collared Dove.

Monday 22nd August 2011

Weather consisted of a north-westerly wind. Migrants on the move were 12 Oystercatcher, 231 Swallow and 1 Yellow Wagtail. A Pied Flycatcher was found and 1 Spotted Flycatcher. A Black Redstart was also recorded. 3 Northern Whetear were seen out on the reserve. Offshore were 3 Sandwich Tern and 5 Common Tern. Warblers recorded were 4 Willow Warbler, 4 Lesser Whitethroat and 5 Common Whitethroat. 5 Migrant Hawker Dragonflies were found. A Grey Seal was observed offshore.

Sunday 21st August 2011

Hard work - situation normal. Amongst the mass of finchs, sparrows & starlings trying to avoid the 2 Sparrowhawks marauding around the site were 2 Tree Sparrows. Also on the reserve 3 Wheatears & a Yellow Wag. 277 Swallows & 5 Sand Martins went south with a Golden Plover calling continuously as it headed inland. In the moth traps 2 examples of Aethes smeathmanniana were the first of their kind to appear since 2007.

Vols Needed

It is intended to take down the temporary shore fencing on Monday 22nd August. Many hands make light work. Please meet around the cottage 0900hrs & wear appropriate footwear for the task.