One the three Tree Pipits that stopped by the Observatory today.
Among the migrants on this bright and breezy morning were 3 Tree Pipits on their way south. As part of a project to recapture juveniles ringed much further north in Scotland we had some Tree Pipit music playing to try and entice them into the nets, but unfortunately the Sparrowhawk spooked them and they carried on their journey. Tree Pipits are usually earlier to migrate than Meadow Pipits, and we should start to see some Mipit movement in the coming weeks. You can tell Tree Pipits from Meadow Pipits by their bubblegum-pink legs and bill.
Other movers south were 6 Dunlin, 4 Grey Plover, 4 House Martin, 9 Oystercatcher, 15 Redshank, 14 Sand Martin, 2 Shelduck, 14 Swallow, 1 Swift and 7 Teal. On site there were 5 Wheatear, 1 Whinchat, 6 Willow Warbler and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Very few micro-moths are around at the moment, but Eucosma tripoliana (sometimes known as Saltmarsh Bell) has been showing up in recent days. It lives on sea-aster, so is probably here following windy conditions on the saltmarsh up river.
Ringing: Willow Warbler 4, Blackcap 1, Robin 1, Goldfinch 1.