Saturday 3rd September 2011

Weather consisted of a moderate south south-westerly wind, there was very little cloud cover. Migrants seen passing through were 17 Wigeon, 111 Teal, 4 Pintail, 3 Shoveler, 3 Cormorant, 2 Oystercatcher, 6 Ringed Plover, 11 Dunlin, 4 Curlew, 3 Swift, 9 Sand Martin, 1143 Swallow, 160 House Martin, 5 Yellow Wagtail and 1 Pied Wagtail. Warblers found were 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler and 4 Common Whitethroat. There was a Black Redstart seen and 1 Whinchat, 10 Northern Wheatear were found. 3 birds ringed today; 2 Chiffchaff and 1 Chaffinch. Butterflies seen included a Clouded Yellow and Comma. Up to 5 Migrant Hawker Dragonflies were found and a Slow Worm was recorded. Migrant moth numbers and variety have been very poor this summer, so it was pleasing to get the first two Rusty-dot Pearls of the autumn.

Friday 2nd September 2011

Weather consisted of a moderate south south-easterly wind, there was no cloud cover. Migrants observed passing through were 28 Wigeon, 279 Teal, 3 Pintail, 10 Shoveler, 8 Cormorant, 15 Oystercatcher, 3 Sandwich Tern, 6 Common Tern, 1 Sand Martin, 141 Swallow and 5 Yellow Wagtail. Other birds found today were 1 Black Redstart, 1 Whinchat, 1 Northern Wheatear, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 1 Common Whitethroat. 2 adult Red-legged Partridge were found with 4 young which is a very pleasing sight. A total of 2 birds ringed today; 1 Robin and 1 Great Tit. A Grass Snake was recorded and a Common Seal was seen offshore. Butterflies present included Comma, Small Copper and Gatekeeper.

Thursday 1st September 2011

Weather consisted of a south-easterly wind with hardly any cloud cover, later in the day the wind went east south-easterly and the wind became much stronger. Migrants on the move were 23 Teal, 2 Cormorant, 5 Oystercatcher, 1 Dunlin, 10 Sandwich Tern, 11 Common Tern, 7 Swallow and 1 Yellow Wagtail. Out on the reserve 1 Golden Plover was present along with 1 Northern Wheatear. Other birds found included a Sparrowhawk, 1 male Blackcap and 1 Common Whitethroat. 3 birds ringed today; 1 male Blackcap, 1 Robin and 1 Blue Tit. At least 3 Migrant Hawker Dragonflies were recorded. Butterflies seen included 1 Clouded Yellow and 1 Comma.

AUGUST RINGING TOTALS

A total of 195 birds of 28 species ringed. Top three:

1st     Willow Warbler 47     2nd     Greenfinch 23     joint 2nd     Linnet 23

This is our lowest ever August ringing total & a sad reflection of the times we are living in.

Wednesday 31st August 2011

Of note this morning was a Velvet Scoter drfting south on the sea, the first Merlin of the autumn, a juvenile Turtle Dove and a tame juv Golden Plover near the Manor Terrace car park. 454 Swallows & 11 Sand Martins south so far. Also worth a mention are 2 Grey Wagtails south, single Lapwing & a young Black Red on the reserve. The bushes are very quiet for migrants.

Tuesday 30th August 2011

Weather consisted of a west north-westerly wind, there was much cloud cover. Migrants on the move were 1 Cormorant, 10 Oystercatcher, 1 Grey Plover, 3 Dunlin, 17 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank, 3 Sandwich Tern, 2 Common Tern, 1 Swift, 11 Sand Martin, 245 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Grey Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail and 2 Goldfinch. Warblers found were 1 Willow Warbler, 1 male Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Common Whitethroat. 1 Black Redstart was seen and 1 Northern Wheatear. 4 Mediterranean Gulls were recorded, 1 adult, 1 second  winter and 2 first winters. 6 birds ringed; 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Robin, 1 Linnet and 1 Blue Tit. A Grass Snake was seen and 3 Migrant Hawker Dragonflies were found.

Monday 29th August 2011

Weather consisted of a moderate to fresh west north-westerly wind, there was much cloud; later in the day the wind went westerly and the wind became stronger. Migrants seen passing through were 2 Shoveler, 1 Oystercatcher, 7 Ringed Plover, 1 Curlew, 10 Sandwich Tern, 23 Common Tern, 64 Sand Martin, 172 Swallow, 43 House Martin, 12 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail and 1 Tree Pipit. Highlights seen today was an Osprey heading south and 2 Marsh Harrier. Out on the reserve 4 Northern Wheatear were found. 2 birds ringed; 1 Willow Warbler and 1 Robin.

Sunday 28th August 2011

A selection of the commoner departing summer visitors present in small numbers including 9 Whitethroats, 7 Wheatears, 6 Willow Warblers, Redstart, Pied & Spot Fly. 82 Swallows, 16 Sand Martins, a House Martin plus 6 Yellow Wags went south plus a handful of waders offshore.