Saturday 10th May 2014

A wet and windy morning. Overhead 39 Swift & 5 Swallow flew south, however little was seen in the way of grounded migrants until the rain stopped when a Spotted Flycatcher was located in the Holm Oaks and 2 Whinchats were found on the reserve where the Wheatear numbers had increased to 18. Offshore southerly passage included 85 Common Terns, 6 Little Terns, an Arctic Tern, 44 Common Scoter, a Gadwall, 6 Dunlin, 4 Grey Plover, 3 Knot and a Whimbrel, whilst northerly passage included a Razorbill, 2 Kittiwake & 2 Gannet.

Friday 9th May 2014

A strong south-westerly this morning resulted in very few birds seen on the deck apart from a Garden Warbler, 5 Whitethroat & 9 Wheatear, however overhead 95 Swallow, 5 Sand Martin, 13 House Martin, 24 Swift, 2 Hobby and a Marsh Harrier headed south. Passage offshore included a Little Egret, 26 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Grey Plover and single Dunlin & Arctic Tern all south, whilst a Razorbill headed north.

Thursday 8th May 2014

A strong south-westerly wind again this morning with rain arriving by mid morning. With the unsettled weather migrants continue to arrive on site, including our first Spotted Flycatcher of the year, 12 Whitethroat, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 10 Willow Warblers, a Yellow Wagtail and a female Redstart that was in the bushes around the Mine Station. Overhead 85 Swallow, 16 Swift, a House Martin and the first Cuckoo for the year headed south. Offshore a Black Swan sitting on the sea was an unusual sight. Southerly passage over the sea included a couple of Little Egret, 9 Barnacle Geese and a selection of waders including Dunlin, Sanderling, Whimbrel, Grey Plover, Whimbrel, Bar-tailed Godwit & Turnstone, whilst 6 Brent Geese headed north.

10 Birds Ringed; 5 Willow Warbler, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Greenfinch & 1 Spotted Flycatcher.

Wednesday 7th May 2014

Heavy cloud and south-westerly winds overnight did not produce as much as was hoped for, nevertheless it proved to be quite productive with small numbers of many migrants. Of interest was a steady passage south of almost 300 Swallows and 14 House Martins by midday, also 6 jackdaws, 1 Grey Wagtail, 22 Swifts and 1 Hobby also going south. Whilst offshore a Pale- Bellied Brent Goose went south amongst a flock of Barnacle Geese, also a number of Common and Little Terns were seen, plus small numbers of waders including Curlew, Turnstone, Grey Plover, Sanderling, Knot, Bar-Tailed Godwit, Whimbrel and 35 Dunlin. On site a Firecrest was the highlight in an array of common migrants which included 1 Redstart, 2 Blackcaps, 7 Whitethroat, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 8 Willow Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Yellow Wagtail and 8 Wheatear.
Also of interest was a Gold Spot Moth which is usually only found in wetland habitats.

Ringing today produced 11 birds, including 1 Firecrest, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat and 2 Willow Warbler.  

Tuesday 6th May 2014

Rain just before dawn and a stiff south to south-westerly wind. Few migrants were grounded except for a Corn Bunting at the Point and a small number of warblers. Overhead southerly movement included 31 Swallows, 7 Swift and 2 House Martin and the best bird of the day, a Bee-eater, was heading north but unfortunately was only heard. Offshore there was a small passage south including, 7 Dunlin, 6 Common Tern, 2 Knot and single Tufted Duck, Turnstone, Great Crested Grebe, Grey Plover & Whimbrel.

8 Birds Ringed; 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Ringed Plover and single Blue Tit, Linnet & Whitethroat.

Monday 5th May 2014

A sunny day with only a small hand full of migrants about apart from 8 Arctic Tern north and 31 Swallows & a House Martin south. On the butterfly front there was at least 5 Green Hairstreaks about and our first Small Copper of the year.

7 Birds ringed; One each of Blackbird, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Linnet, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat & Greenfinch.

Sunday 4th May 2014

A clear night and a bright sunny day resulted in only a hand full of warblers and a few Swallows passing through. Also a total of 121 Barnacle Geese headed north over the reserve early on.

10 Birds ringed; 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackbird, 2 Starling and single Greenfinch, Whitethroat & Blackcap.