The beginning of a new month today and it wasn't too bad a day. A nice new variety of species will soon be heading our way. A few new migrants on the move.
During the early hours of this morning and then late morning, 2 Snipe were seen and calling heading off inland. Swallow were on the move heading South again with 165 noted along with 7 Sand Martin. Other migrants around the observatory and the nature reserve involved 10 Wheatear, 7 Willow Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Spotted Flycatcher (above), 1 Yellow Wagtail and 1 Garden Warbler.
A male Peregrine Falcon was seen yesterday morning which we presume he has been away moulting somewhere and is now back on his autumn/winter territory.
Out to sea were 12 Common Tern, 7 Sandwich Tern, 5 Shelduck, 2 Cormorant, 1 Arctic Tern, 1 Black Tern, 1 Common Scoter, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Ringed Plover and 1 Turnstone.
At around 11.40 am, an Osprey flew South and over to Essex giving the local gulls a bit of scare.
Ringing: 3 birds ringed this morning including 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Robin and 1 House Sparrow.