Saturday 18th August 2018

On the move southbound an entertaining assortment including 51 Oyk, 38 Teal, 25 Grey Plover, 18 Dunlin, 14 Common Tern, 12 Redshank, 11 Sanderling, 11 Swallow, 10 Shelduck, 7 Cormorant, 7 Golden Plover, 7 Turnstone, 3 Barwit, 2 Ringed Plover, Mute Swan, Gadwal, Common Scoter, Knot, Whimbrel, Sandwich Tern, Kestrel, Hobby & Tree Pipit with northbound 2 Common Tern, Oyk & Sandwich Tern. On site 5 Wheatear, Whitethroat & Willow Warbler with the bushes deadly quiet for migrants. At least 2,000 Starling came out of roost early on.

Species diversity in moths declining as the autumn progresses. Flounced Rustic is a variable species that can be a confusing nightmare for beginners & experts alike.


Ringing: 1 Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler.

Friday 17th August 2018

Present this morning at least 16 Willow Warbler, 8 Robin, 4 Wheatear, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat & a fine juvenile female Peregrine sitting on the shingle ridge opposite the observatory for about 20 minutes until shifted by a dog walker. Southbound 8 Swallow & 2 Oyk is your lot. At least 1,400 Starling roosted overnight. The new Robins at this time of the year are this years youngsters from elsewhere wandering in search of a winter territory to claim for themselves.

Despite lower moth numbers following yesterdays deluge and a cooler night the next emergence of Cochylis hybridella is coming out regardless.

Ringing: 4 Willow Warbler, 3 Robin, 1 Whitethroat.

Thursday 16th August 2018

Windy to start with and now wet 'n windy. On the move southbound 12 Oyk, 12 Swift, 8 Teal, 7 Grey Plover, 5 Whimbrel, 4 Common Tern, 3 Turnstone, 2 Gadwal, 2 Golden Plover, Shelduck, Greylag Goose, Mallard, Barwit & Sanderling with northbound 3 Barnacle Geese & 2 Sandwich Tern. On site a handful of migrants including 7 Willow Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Wheatear, 2 Whitethroat & Reed Warbler.

Agriphila tristella is having a reasonable spell at the moment.

Ringing: 3 Willow Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler.

Wednesday 15th August 2018

This Sedge Warbler, believe it or not, is the first of its kind to be noted here this year as we failed to even see one in the spring. We have, however, had very poor years for this species in the past.

On the move southbound 15 Oyk & 8 Swallow. Deadly quiet on site first thing but with a thicker belt of cloud passing over it appeared to drop a few migrants in including at least 6 Willow Warbler, 5 Wheatear, Sedge Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat & Whitethroat. 1,200 Starling coming out of roost early on is worth a mention.

The migratory Rush Veneer is turning up in very small numbers in recent days.

Ringing: 4 Willow Warbler, 1 House Sparrow, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Whitethroat.

Tuesday 14th August 2018

The first three figure pulse of hirundines this autumn with southbound 135 Swallow, 5 House Martin & 3 Sand Martin. Also moving south 7 Oyk, 2 Shelduck plus a Marsh Harrier first thing. At least 5 Wheatear, 3 Willow Warbler, Golden Plover, Sanderling & Turnstone on site but little indication of other migrants passing through.

Common Wainscot is infrequent on its first emergence with more noted here on the second emergence of the season.

Ringing: 2 Willow Warbler.

Monday 13th August 2018

Migrant Hawker on the Butts pond.

On the quiet side again this morning with migrants represented by southbound 14 Swallow, 5 Oyk, 4 Sand Martin, 3 Swift, Mute Swan & Redshank. On site 5 Willow Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat and a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull along the riverbank.

Moth trap busier again after a couple of quieter nights. Epinota ramella frequents areas with birch throughout the country but has only paid us a visit on a couple of previous occasions.

Ringing: 0 (despite nets being open).

Sunday 12th August 2018

Very few grounded migrants again today but did include single Wheatear & Willow Warbler. On the move southbound 13 Teal, 13 Oyk, 10 Common Tern, 8 Grey Plover, 4 Common Gull,  2 Golden Plover, 2 Swallow, 2 Swift, 1 Fulmar & 1 Grey Heron with northbound 4 Common Tern, 3 Sandwich Tern & an exceptionally early autumn Red-throated Diver. Our only previous August record is on 23rd August 1985 with all other records from 6th September onward.

Sharp-angled Peacock turns up in the moth traps occasionally.

Ringing: 1 Willow Warbler