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Saturday 21st April 2012

And still we wait for some more migrants! A handful were ringed though, including 3 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Robin and 1 Wheatear. Two Bonxies were seen following in fishing boats and abusing the gulls to acquire their breakfast. A few things of interest moving about offshore, Southbound were 7 Whimbrel, a Curlew 4 Oyks, 7 Cormorant, 77 Black-headed Gulls, a Fulmar, 9 Knot, 8 Grey Plover, 2 Shelduck an 2 Canada Geese. 2 Whimbrel, 20 Cormorant, 2 Pintail, a Rook, 3 Red-throated Diver, a Fulmar and a lone Brent goose made their way North. A few more Swallows were seen as well as single House Martin, a White Wagtail was also hanging around the butts.

Friday 20th April 2012

A bit more movement that the rest of the week today, though the calmer weather led to a lack of Skuas offshore. There were however 9 Brent Geese mostly going North, 3 Fulmar, 1 Curlew, 2 Common Gull, 34 Black-headed Gull and 6 Kittiwake heading South, a Whimbrel heading North and 19 Cormorants heading every which way. Moving over land were 12 Swallows (10 N, 2 S), 1 Carrion Crow,13 Goldfinch and 3 House Martins going South. Other migrants included at least 18 Wheatear, a fine male Redstart, a handful of continental Song Thrushes, 8 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap and 3 Willow Warbler.

Ringing totals just shy of 20 this morning with: 5 Wheatear, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 3 Song Thrush,  2 Linnet, 2 Willow Warbler and a Woodpigeon. Should the rain clear a few more Wheatears may acquire rings this afternoon.

Thursday 19th April 2012

The run of Great Skuas continued today with individuals seen offshore throughout the morning, keeping the gulls on their toes. A bit blustery and showery still but a few more birds around, with 2 Blackcap, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Wheatear and a Robin ringed. Moving South were 3 Swallows, 2 Shelduck, A Fulmar, 4 Gannet, 4 Cormorant, a Curlew and 2 Gadwall. Heading the opposite way were 2 Fulmar, 9 Gannets and the first Whimbrel of the spring. In the gull department a full adult Yellow-legged was seen, along with 3 first summer Common Gulls and a first Summer Mediterranean Gull

Wednesday 18th April 2012

Strong winds prevailed this morning and the limited nets produced no new birds unfortunately. Migrant passerines were thin on the ground with only 2 Wheatear and a Single Chiffchaff of note. Out on the sea things were a bit more interesting with the morning producing 2 Great Skua, 2 Pomerine Skua and an Arctic Skua. Also seen were Gannet (4 North, 5 South), Red-throated Diver (1 North, 1 South), Fulmar (1 North, 1 South), 2 Red-breasted Merganser South, and the surprise of the morning being a lone Manx Shearwater also heading South.

Tuesday 17th April 2012

A fairly unpleasant morning with wind and intermittent showers. A Chiffchaff from 2 days ago lingered whilst offshore were 2 Brents, 1 Common Scoter, a Fulmar and 2 Sandwich Terns. Nothing ringed in the obs compound but when it brightened up a couple more Wheatears were added to the totals along with an unexpected retrap Ringed Plover, which turned out to be one ringed as a juvenile on the point in 1998. A pair of Ringed Plovers were getting very familiar so perhaps we will have our first nest soon.

Monday 16th April 2012

Cold and quiet on the bird front today, with a ground frost evident this morning. Only one Blackcap was ringed from the mornings efforts, though 3 Wheatears were added to the total in the afternoon. On the move were single Canada Goose, Cormorant and Oystercatcher going North, and 6 Cormorant and a Swallow heading South. A single Swallow Prominent was all that Turned up in the Moth traps.

Sunday 15th April 2012

The north wind doth blow & we shall have few migrants. 8 Wheatears on the reserve, a Redpoll was heard & a new Chiff & Chaff were in the bushes. Hard work. The hybrid falcon was playing around on the old crows nest again rearranging the furniture. Not only have we not had any sign of a female Peregrine for nearly a month but the male Peregrine has not been seen in the last ten days as well.