Saturday 13th April 2019

The cool North-easterly airflow continues with occasional showers and even hail early on. Struggling to find many migrants with totals of 3 Wheatear, 2 Turnstone, Brambling & Chiffchaff. Heading north 41 Cormorant, 12 Gannet, 4 Brent & 3 Lapwing.

Despite the cold conditions the first Shuttle-shaped Dart of the year showed up.

Ringing: 1 Chiffchaff.

Friday 12th April 2019

Heading north 97 Cormorant, 38 Gannet, 8 Brent, 7 Black-headed Gull, 6 Common Gull, 4 Red-throated Diver, 3 Common Tern, 3 Little Egret, 2 Oyk, 2 Shelduck, Common Scoter and a Sparrowhawk a long way offshore with southbound 2 Common Scoter 2 Oyk & 2 Shelduck. On site 6 Chiffchaff, 4 Wheatear, Blackcap, Brambling, Purp Sand, Redwing & the first Yellow Wagtail of the year. A Siskin flew north over the obs and a Canada Goose inland.

Only two moths from three traps but included the first Powdered Quaker of the year.

Ringing: 2 Robin, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Dunnock, 1 Linnet, 1 Song Thrush.

Thursday 11th April 2019

First Whimbrel of the year today but otherwise hard work. Offshore northbound 86 Cormorant, 29 Gannet, 23 Common Scoter, 22 Black-headed Gull, 10 Brent, 7 Barnacle Geese, 4 Sanderling, 2 Greylag Geese, Fulmar, Kittiwake, Red-throated Diver plus a Carrion Crow a long way offshore. Southbound 3 Common Scoter. A Swallow came in off the sea. On site 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 2 Wheatear & Redwing.

Ringing: 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Robin.

Wednesday 10th April 2019

Cool, clear, strong north-easterly wind getting "worser and worser" as the morning went on is not conducive to much migration activity. On site 4 Wheatear, 2 Chiffchaff & Black Redstart. 3 Barnacle Geese flew south.

Ringing: 1 Song Thrush, 1 Wood Pigeon.

Tuesday 9th April 2019

Wind picking up as the morning went on. On site 10 Chiffchaff, 5 Redwing, 3 Blackcap, 2 Goldcrest,  2 Wheatear,  Black Redstart, Brambling, Purple Sand & Woodlark. Offshore northbound 13 Gannet, 9 Common Scoter, 4 Teal & Oyk.

First Dark-sword Grass of the year.

Ringing: 9 Chiffchaff, 3 Linnet, 2 Blackcap, 2 Robin, 1 Dunnock, 1 Great Tit, 1 Wren.

Monday 8th April 2019

Fog eventually clearing to provide a warmer morning. Present so far 12 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, 5 Wheatear, 4 Fieldfare, 4 Redwing, 2 Mipit, Brambling, Jackdaw, Redpoll, Sparrowhawk & Skylark. A Snipe went north plus a Swallow south.

Ringing: 12 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Wren.

Sunday 7th April 2019

Cool damp misty morning with a northerly breeze didn't prevent our local Blue Tit giving it some welly ! 3 Swallows heading north plus a Willow Warbler on site are both "firsts" of the year for us which will help those blog readers from down south realise how retarded it can be on the east coast. Other migrants include 4 Blackcap, 4 Wheatear, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Siskin, Redwing, Ring Ouzel & Short-eared Owl. Barely see offshore in the mist and murk although 2 Turnstone shot along the beach.

Ringing: 4 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Great Tit, 1 Willow Warbler.