A calm and warm, but rather wet and cloudy day at the observatory today with a few new arrivals having dropped in overnight and during the spells of rain throughout the day.
Totals of 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Common Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 7 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldcrest, 5 Swallow, 6 Wheatear, 2 Black Redstart, 3 Goldfinch, 2 Siskin, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Sparrowhawk, 29 Cormorant, 15 Oystercatcher, 7 Whimbrel, 6 Common Gull, 1 Fulmar, 1 Gannet, 1 Sandwich Tern and 1 Tufted Duck were all either on-site or moving offshore.
A rather nice surprise was a Tree Pipit late morning that had obviously dropped in with the rain that showed briefly and then flew north over the caravan site. The first record for us this spring and hopefully more to come.
Ringing: 2 birds ringed this morning including 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Siskin.