Saturday 24th September 2011

Weather consisted of a light to gentle west south-westerly wind turning to a gentle southerly wind. Migrants observed pasing through were 1 Brent Goose, 18 Wigeon, 1 Gannet, 1 Kestrel, 3 Oystercatcher, 1 Ringed Plover, 4 Sandwich Tern, 200 Swallow, 1 Grey Wagtail, 5 Pied Wagtail, 29 Meadow Pipit, 21 Chaffinch and 5 Siskin. 3 Redpoll were recorded and also 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker. The highlight of the day was a Tawny Pipit seen briefly in flight, heading south over the reserve at 09:20hrs. 15 birds ringed today; 1 male Sparrowhawk, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Common Whitethroat, 1 Meadow Pipit, 2 Great Tit, 1 Chaffinch, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Dunnock, 1 Woodpigeon, 1 Blackcap and 1 Blue Tit.

Friday 23rd September 2011

Weather consisted of a gentle to moderate westerly wind with some cloud cover. Migrants observed passing through were 1 Shelduck, 1 Cormorant, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Grey Plover, 3 Knot, 2 Dunlin, 60 Black-headed Gull, 6 Sand Martin, 289 Swallow, 48 House Martin, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 13 Pied Wagtail, 52 Meadow Pipit, 65 Chaffinch, 8 Greenfinch, 22 Goldfinch, 14 Siskin, 10 Linnet and 17 Redpoll. 1 Northern Wheatear was found out on the reserve. 6 Mediterranean Gulls were found. 18 birds ringed today; 2 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Northern Wheatear, 6 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Greenfinch, 3 Dunnock and 1 female Sparrowhawk. Butterflies recorded were Brown Argus, Comma, Small Heath, Small Copper and Red Admiral. In the moth traps a Ni Moth is a good migrant to get; also worth a mention a Pearly Underwing.

Thursday 22nd September 2011

Weather consisted of a moderate west south-westerly wind, there was some cloud cover. Migrants observed passing through were 2 Cormorant, 2 Sandwich Tern, 3 Common Tern, 9 Sand Martin, 453 Swallow, 373 House Martin, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail, 6 Pied Wagtail, 47 Meadow Pipit, 109 Chaffinch, 2 Greenfinch, 3 Goldfinch, 8 Siskin and 3 Redpoll. Grounded migrants found were 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Pied Flycatcher and 5 Northern Wheatear. 29 birds ringed today; 12 Blackcap, 3 Goldcrest, 5 Chaffinch, 4 Greenfinch, 2 Dunnock, 2 Blue Tit and 1 Chiffchaff. A Delicate was in the moth traps.

RECENT RECOVERIES

Amongst the most recent batch of ringing recoveries are a Chiffchaff ringed here on autumn passage on 26th September 2009 re trapped at Pittance Park, near Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire on 24th April 2011, a Willow Warbler trapped here on spring passage on 26th April 2011 re trapped, at what is presumably its breeding site, at Ardochy, Highland on 31st May 2011 & a Blackbird ringed here as a young female on 26th October 2010 re trapped at Helgoland, Germany on spring passage on 31st March 2011.

Wednesday 21st September 2011

Weather consisted of a north-westerly wind, there was complete cloud cover. It was damp and warm. Migrants on the move were 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Greenfinch, 12 Chaffinch, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail, 44 Swallow, 83 House Martin, 6 Siskin and 48 Meadow Pipit. Out on the reserve 4 Northern Wheatear were seen. A Hobby was recorded. Warblers found were 4 Common Whitethroat, 5 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap and 3 Lesser Whitethroat. 6 birds ringed today; 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap and 1 Dunnock.

Tuesday 20th September 2011

Weather consisted of a moderate south westerly wind, there was much cloud. It was mild and dry. Migrants observed on the move were 17 Wigeon, 3 Teal, 5 Gannet, 8 Cormorant, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Hobby, 2 Kestrel, 3 Grey Plover, 2 Dunlin, 1 Curlew, 2 Turnstone, 1 Sandwich Tern, 7 Common Tern, 1 Sand Martin, 232 Swallow, 62 House Martin, 72 Meadow Pipit and 5 Chaffinch. On the reserve 1 Black Redstart was found along with 1 Northern Wheatear. 8 Mediterranean Gulls were recorded, 4 adults, 2 second winter birds and 2 first winter birds. 19 birds were ringed today; 1 Black Redstart, 1 Garden Warbler, 7 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Lesser Whitethroat and 1 Common Whitethroat. A Grass Snake was found within the Bird Observatory compound and a Grey Seal was observed offshore.

Monday 19th September 2011

Another 560 Swallows & 279 Mipits south this am. Also pleasing today to see at least 40 Mipits grounded on the reserve. Amongst a selection of other birds heading south today were 16 Chaffinch's, 3 Yellow Wags, 2 Grey Wags & 7 Siskins. Offshore very little for the second day running. In the bushes at least 25 Chiffchaffs plus single figure counts of other common warblers. The regular male Black Red is still with us lurking around the bushes on the reserve on the seaward side of the bird observatory compound. A single Tree Sparrow with the finches & sparrows is also thought to be the same bird that has been seen on & off over the past couple of weeks.

Sunday 18th September 2011

On the move going south so far this am are 875 House Martins, 614Swallows, 9 Sand Martins, 149 Mipits, 35 Siskins plus a selection of other expected mid-September fare in small numbers. At least 25 Chiffs, 6 Blackcaps, 4 Lesser 'throats, 2 Whitethroats, Garden Warbler & Spot Fly knocking about. The usual Black Red is still with us and a Budgie put in a brief appearance. In the moth traps it was pleasing to see a Pearly Underwing as they have been almost non-existent this year.

Saturday 17th September 2011

Offshore today a lot less seabirds due to the winds swinging to a more normal south-westerly. On the move amongst a wide selection of species were a Manxie, 9 Gannets, 81 Brents, 429 Wigeon, 209 Teal, 2 Gadwal, 62 Ringos, 10 Grey Plover, 32 Knot, 237 Dunlin, 34 Redshank, 20 Common Terns & 403 Swallows. A lot quieter in the bushes & on the reserve today but with a litter pick going on in the morning observers were pre-occupied with other things.

Friday 16th September 2011

Lots going on today with the south-easterley conditions. Offshore amongst a wide range of things on the move were 3 Sootys & a Great Shearwater going north, 31 Gannets, 5 Fulmars, 2 Kittiwakes, 2 Guillimots, 5 Arctics, a Pomarine & a Long-tailed Skua, 145 Brents, 380 Teal, 46 Common Scoter & a Hobby. On land at least 15 Chiffchaffs & 4 Blackcaps in the bushes plus singles of Redstart, Tree Sparrow & Wryneck.