First thing this morning the feeling was that it was going to be pretty much a standard day here, with dry, bright and breezy conditions similar to the past few day, and not really promising much in the way of new migrants. However we were pleasantly surprised by our second Wood Warbler of the autumn, and then graced by the presence of a Turtle Dove in front of the Obs in the early morning sun.
Since the 1970s Turtle Doves have declined by an astonishing 93%, and sadly are still shot on migration through Europe. Suffolk and Essex are now the summer home to around a third of the UK's remaining Turtle Dove population.
Other migrants on their way south included 96 Swallow, 17 Oystercatcher, 15 Teal, 10 Grey Plover, 8 Sand Martin, 7 Turnstone, 3 Knot, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Common Scoter, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Common Tern, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit and 1 Whimbrel. Northbound were 4 Sandwich Tern and 3 Common Tern. On site migrants were 8 Willow Warbler, 1 Wood Warbler, 1 Turtle Dove and 7 Wheatear.
Monopis monachella is a rare and not very well known species thought to live on animal remains and owl pellets.
Ringing: 5 Willow Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Blue Tit, 1 Wren, 1 Robin, 1 Wood Warbler, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Starling.