Saturday 8th October 2011

Weather consisted of a fresh to strong west north-westerly wind, there was complete cloud cover. Migrants observed passing through were 39 Brent Geese, 3 Shelduck, 14 Wigeon, 1 Common Scoter, 13 Gannet, 5 Cormorant, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Ringed Plover, 5 Dunlin, 1 Curlew, 4 Turnstone, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Pomarine Skua, 2 Sandwich Tern, 6 Skylark, 1 Meadow Pipit, 268 Goldfinch, 43 Siskin and 44 Redpoll. Out on the reserve 3 Blackcap were found and 1 Northern Wheatear. There were more thrushes seen today with 18 Redwing, 7 Song Thrush and 3 Fieldfare all recorded. 5 Mediterranean Gulls were seen. Due to the wind only 2 birds were ringed today; 1 Redwing and 1 Song Thrush. A Grey Seal was seen offshore.

Friday 7th October 2011

Weather consisted of a moderate to fresh west north-westerly wind, there was complete cloud cover. The wind became more strong as the day continued. Migrants observed passing through were 5 Brent Geese, 1 Mallard, 2 Gannet, 5 Cormorant, 1 Kestrel, 1 Curlew, 20 Black-headed Gull, 2 Skylark, 21 Swallow, 51 House Martin, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 22 Pied Wagtail, 1 Tree Pipit, 42 Meadow Pipit, 49 Chaffinch, 118 Greenfinch, 804 Goldfinch, 152 Siskin, 146 Linnet, 42 Redpoll and 10 Reed Bunting. Out on the reserve 9 Northern Wheatear were found. Warblers present were 8 Chiffchaff, 7 Blackcap and 1 Common Whitethroat. The male Peregrine Falcon was observed sitting up on one of the dock cranes. 4 birds ringed today; 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Chiffchaff and 2 Chaffinch.

Thursday 6th October 2011

A very windy day, the weather consisted of a fresh west north-westerly wind, at times considered a near gale! There was much cloud. Migrants observed passing through were 1 Brent Goose, 1 Black-throated Diver, 1 Gannet, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Golden Plover, 4 Grey Plover, 2 Dunlin, 1 Curlew, 1 Kittiwake, 45 Swallow, 319 House Martin, 4 Pied Wagtail, 42 Meadow Pipit, 29 Goldfinch, 26 Siskin and 4 Redpoll. Highlight of the day was a Grey Phalarope seen briefly on the river behind the Bird Observatory. 4 birds ringed in total today, this poor figure is partly due to the windy weather conditions as only some of the nets were open; birds ringed were 2 Chiffchaff and 2 Blackcap. A Red Admiral butterfly was observed migrating south through the windy conditions! A Scarce Bordered Straw was in the moth traps.

Wednesday 5th October 2011

At least 19 Wheatears this am. New in are a handful of Chiffchaffs, a couple of Blackcaps & a Songie. Some vis mig despite the strengthening gale including 43 Goldfinchs, 35 Greenies, 32 Mipits, 18 Swallows, 10 Siskins, 3 Skylarks, 2 House Martins, Sand Martin & a Kes going south. Offshore a waste of time although 2 Kitts are worth a mention for the time of year.

Tuesday 4th October 2011

Weather consisted of a moderate to fresh west south-westerly wind. It was very mild. Migrants observed passing through were 9 Brent Geese, 1 Shelduck, 18 Wigeon, 3 Pintail, 4 Cormorant, 8 Black-headed Gull, 3 Common Tern, 1 Short-eared Owl, 5 Sand Martin, 38 Barn Swallow, 27 House Martin, 2 Grey Wagtail, 14 Pied Wagtail, 11 Meadow Pipit, 12 Chaffinch, 117 Goldfinch, 19 Siskin, 21 Linnet, 6 Redpoll and 3 Reed Bunting. A pair of Peregrine were seen hunting near the dock cranes. 25 Northern Wheatear were found out on the reserve. Warblers seen were 5 Chiffchaff and 6 Blackcap. 12 birds ringed today; 4 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Robin, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Chaffinch and 1 Woodpigeon. A Weasel was seen hunting over the reserve.

Monday 3rd October 2011

Although the wind has gone round south-west and it's overcast it is still exceptionally warm for the time of the year. A small arrival of continental race Song Thrush's this am but apart from this the bushes are very quiet with a couple of Chiffchaffs the best we can muster. 2 Wheatears on the reserve & a bit of vis mig this am including 75 Swallows, 69 Goldies, 57 Siskin, 31 Linnets, 15 Mipits, 14 Chaffs, 13 Pied Wags, 3 Redpolls, 2 Reed Bunts, 2 Little Egrets, single Sand Martin, Kestrel & Marsh Harrier going south. Offshore just a handful of Brents, ducks & waders on the move plus 4 Great-crested Grebes. The moth traps are still producing a few migrants including a Bordered Straw. In the afternoon the first Redwing of the autumn was noted.

Sunday 2nd October 2011

Another stinking hot morning. Very small numbers of common migrants in the bushes & on the reserve. Some vis mig this am with a few bits & bobs going south including 70 Chaffs, 45 Goldies, 27 Siskins, 38 Swallows, 25 House Martins, 12 Pied Wags, 5 Skylarks, 3 Jackdaws, 2 Grey Wags & a Reed Bunting. Another Palpita vitrealis in the moth traps plus a Green Birch Shieldbug. A Hummingbird Hawk-moth was in the cottage garden.