With the Ivy just starting to bloom, the first Ivy Bees of the year are now on the wing!
A still over cast morning, with a few of the usual migrants around.
There were at least 4 Willow Warblers knocking around the Observatory bushes this morning, along with a Reed Warbler, 2 Blackcaps, 5 Whitethroats, 4 Lesser Whitethroats and a Redstart. A lingering Pied Flycatcher was in the Poplars along with a new individual.
Vis-mig was quiet with a single Yellow Wagtail, 2 Rooks, a Swallow and a Grey Wagtail, which was subsequently lured into the Heligoland.
Out on the Reserve, 3 Wheatears were by the Tank Blocks and a mobile Whinchat was moving around the southern end of the reserve. Another sign of autumn were the 3 Meadow Pipits with the Pied Wagtails on the lawn. The first Purple Sandpiper of the autumn was on the Jetty.
On the sea there were a few Common and Sandwich Terns loitering, A Fulmar and 12 Teal heading north and 23 Teal heading south.
Moth Traps very poor in terms of numbers and variety at the moment. The Brimstone is a very common species that has two or three generations in a year.
Ringing: 2 Blackcap, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Redstart, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Robin, 1 Whitethroat