Saturday 9th June 2012

Westerly gale (but not as strong as yesterday). At least 4 Reed Warblers new in as spring laggards continue to battle into the nesting grounds. 155 Swifts, 30 Crossbills, 6 Barnacle Geese & a Great-crested Grebe went south. Despite the inclement conditions over the past week 4 baby Ringed Plovers are still surviving near the point (although they still only look about a day old !).

Friday 8th June 2012

Blowing an unseasonal SW gale with occasional showers. Far to long spent staring out to sea this morning with returns of just 5 Fulmars, 2 Curlew & a few seagulls. A Hobby shot past the obs with 34 Swifts also struggling past. A new migrant present in the form of a Spot Fly but in these conditions birding around the bushes a waste of time with a walk anywhere near the beach or along the riverbank resulting in one getting sand blasted !

Thursday 7th June 2012

A few wandering juvenile Great Tits and Linnets just about managed to hold interest on the ringing front this morning. A single Reed Warbler was heard but avoided capture. Another Hobby passed through, as well as a handful of the usual Terns, a Kittiwake and a dozen Common Scoter. The Ringed Plovers still prevail but with bad weather coming their fate is uncertain. Also today our first juvenile Lesser Whitethroats of the year appeared to have fledged, hopefully the 3 pairs on site will manage to produce a good number of young.

Ringed Plover with young (Allan King)

Wednesday 6th June 2012

Two flocks of Crossbills going south totalling 65 birds plus another flock heard but not seen. 5 Curlew also went south. These two species are some of the earliest to begin their autumn migration. This contradicts with 11 Swallows, 11 House Martins & 10 Goldfinch going south plus a new Lesser throat in the bushes which are probably tardy spring migrants. It's that odd time of the year when spring & autumn movements overlap depending on the species. Hobby also noted this morning which is an almost daily occurrence at present. After a dead Porpoise in front of the Butts yesterday a dead Grey Seal was on the riverbank this morning being eaten by a gluttonous Greater Black-back & a few Herring Gulls. Also worth a mention is the appearance of a few more Red Admirals in recent days.

Tuesday 5th June 2012

Another quiet day with only a new Blackcap ringed on the migrant front. A couple of juvenile Dunnocks and a Song Thrush were also caught. Our Ringed Plovers are still surviving with all four young feeding on the shingle. Other movers included a Couple of brents, a Little Egret, Whimbrel, Hobby and the odd Swallow and House Martin.

Monday 4th June 2012

Wet and windy overnight but still new birds dropping in. At least 4 Spotted Flycatchers on site as well as a couple of Reed Warblers, a Garden Warbler, 3 Wheatear, the Serin and a female Redstart. The Ringed Plover chicks have survived the night with all 4 still present and correct. Hopefully a bit of sun soon will allow them to feed up and boost their chances of survival.

Sunday 3rd June

ENE gale with rain or drizzle & distinctly cool for the time of the year. Ringed Plover eggs near the point hatched yesterday and this is just the sort of weather we don't want for day old chicks. New migrants in today include Reed Warbler, Chiffchaff, Spot Fly & Hobby. A selection of terns are feeding around the point and river mouth including an Arctic Tern.