Saturday 6th October 2012

Fortunately a few birds were around for one of our annual migration mornings. A few Blackcaps, Chaffinches, Meadow Pipit and  Pied Wagtail were added to the ringing totals. No great numbers of birds passing through with 260 Goldfinch being the highest count amongst a few Chaffinches, Redpoll, Siskin and Greenys. At least 14 Magpies were on site along with 3 Jackdaws and 5 Carrion Crows. The first Long-tailed Tits of the autumn dropped in bringing with them a late Reed Warbler and a few Chiffchaffs. A couple more Jays were seen heading south over the docks along with two Common Buzzards

Friday 5th October 2012

Rain overnight and into the morning restricted movement somewhat, though a push of 145 Dunlin came through early on, joined by a couple of Sanderling, 24 Knot, a Grey Plover and 12 Bar-tailed Godwits. 70 each of Swallow and House Martin passed through with only 25 Meadow Pipits and a more respectable 340 Goldfinch. Ringing amounted to 9 birds; 3 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Meadow Pipits and a Robin.

Lesser Redpoll (Allan King)

Thursday 4th October 2012

A fruitful mornings migration watching produced over 3000 birds heading South. Top of the charts were 1800 Goldfinch, 600 Swallows, 500 House Martin, 350 Chaffinch, 330 Meadow Pipits. A few others passed through in smaller numbers including 40 Siskin, 8 Brambling, 25 Pied Wagtail, 5 Wheatear, 3 Skylark, 3 Grey Wagtail, 2 Yellow wagtail, a Grey Heron and 120 Linnets. As well as a couple of Sparrowhawks and a Kestrel Two Peregrines graced the remaining old style crane in the dock, whilst below the other two were demolished, will we see them as often once this last perch is removed?

Peregrine Perch

Ringing amounted to 40 birds: 11 Chiffchaff, 7 Meadow Pipits, 4 Chaffinch, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Blue Tit, 3 Blackcap, 2 Great Tit, 2 Wheatear, Robin, Goldcrest, Wren, Goldfinch and Dunnock. Amongst those was a control Goldcrest bearing a Dutch ring, obviously some of our winter visitors are making it through in these persistent Westerlies!

Wednesday 3rd October 2012

Another blustery day with a limited amount of passage. Still, a good few gangs of Mipits, Chaffinches, Goldfinches and Greenfinches battled through along with the odd Wagtail and hirundine. Ringing amounted to a handful of birds including a couple each of Lesser Redpoll, Meadow Pipit, Blackcap and the odd Wren and Dunnock. Two probable Lesnes Earwigs in the moth trap are a new species for the site, and a Black Rustic is the first for the year.

Tuesday 2nd October 2012

A productive morning with some sporadic visible migration as well as few birds in the bushes. 37 new birds of 12 species were ringed, perhaps the most unexpected being 3 juvenile Jays and 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers.

As well as a steady stream of Meadow Pipits, Swallows, House Martins, Greenfinches, Goldfinches and Chaffinches heading South, a Tree Pipit, Reed Bunting, Yellow Wagtail , 2 Grey Wagtail, 10 Pied Wagtail, 3 Redpoll, 6 Siskin and 5 Jays joined them.

Ringing Totals: Blackcap 9, Chaffinch 8, Meadow Pipit 6, Jay 3, Great Spotted Woodpecker 2, Chiffchaff 2, Goldcrest 2, Grey Wagtail 1, Goldfinch 1, Wren 1, Robin 1, Song Thrush 1.

Monday 1st October 2012

Showers on and off all morning prevented much ringing this morning, still 7 Blackcaps of maybe a dozen site were ringed along with singles of Dunnock, Chiffchaff and Robin. 3 Goldcrest lingered that were ringed in previous days, along with the odd Robin, Song Thrush, 2 Wheatear and a Snipe which dived onto the reserve early on. Passing through the odd Tern, a few Brents, half a dozen Swallows, Pintail, Wigeon and a few House Martin.

September 2012 Ringing Totals

A total of 377 birds of 37 species were ringed this September, down about 100 on last year and lowest total since 2007. A continued battering of Westerly winds certainly didn't help us, with the brief window of Easterlies rescuing what was on track to be the poorest September ever! Full totals are below, no particular oddities or scarce species though the Manx Shearwater found in the docks was not one we expected to be on the list for the year!

Chiffchaff	57		Great-spotted Woodpecker	4
Meadow Pipit	48		Wren	3
Robin	39		Blackbird	3
Willow Warbler	39		Great Tit	3
Blackcap	30		Reed Warbler	2
Whitethroat	20		Swallow	2
Goldcrest	14		Lesser Redpoll	2
Greenfinch	12		Garden Warbler	2
Blue Tit	11		House Sparrow	2
Song Thrush	10		Pied Flycatcher	1
Dunnock	9		Brambling	1
Chaffinch	8		Sparrowhawk	1
Goldfinch	8		House Martin	1
Starling	8		Manx Shearwater	1
Sedge Warbler	7		Lesser Whitethroat	1
Redstart	7		Yellow Wagtail	1
Linnet	7		Wheatear	1
Grey Wagtail	6		Spotted Flycatcher	1
Wood Pigeon	5		TOTAL	377

Sunday 30th September 2012

Pleasant end of September birding. Vis mig this morning comprised off 232 Goldies, 170 Chaffs, 156 House Martin, 132 Mipits, 111 Swallows, 103 Linnets, 24 Greenies, 13 Pied Wags, 3 Reed Bunts, 2 Sand Martin, Siskin, Rock Pipit & a high flying House Sparrow south. Offshore 42 Brents & a handful of waders going south with a juv Gannet in the harbour eventually battling it's way back out to sea. On site 20 Chiffs, 5 Blackcaps, 4 Goldcrests, 2 Lesser Redpoll, Brambling, Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Redstart, Great spotted Woodpecker, Wheatear & Stonechat. Woodland Grasshopper Omocertus rufipes in the top moth trap will be a first site record.