Saturday 21st March 2020

A bright but windy, cold north-easterly this morning, which led to little showing itself in the scrub. At least 2 Chiffchaff were present with an individual in song in late morning and 2 Goldcrests were present around the Obs.

Four Wheatears and a female Stonechat were present on the Reserve and 3 Turnstone and a Purple Sandpiper were on the Jetty.

The sea was where all the action was happening with an dark phase Arctic Skua harassing the gulls off the beach before heading north. The only previous March record was back in 1988. A single Eider also headed north along with 2 Kittiwake, 88 Gannet, 26 Cormorants, 13 Red-throated Diver, 3 Brent Geese and 3 Fulmar. Heading southbound were 20 Brent Geese, 6 Common Scoter and an Oystercatcher.

Ringing: 1 Goldcrest

Friday 20th March 2020

A chilly north-easterly this morning with the highlight being a Short-eared Owl attempting to roost on the Reserve, before being moved on by corvids, and then pursued by Herring Gulls across the river. Four Wheatears, 3 male, 1 Female, were also in the Reserve.

The number of migrants in the bushes was lower today with only 3 Chiffchaffs, a single Firecrest and 2 Goldcrests present but a small movement of female Great tits bought a control, although it could always be a locally ringed bird.

A summer plumage Great-crested Grebe was on the river as was a single Mute Swan. Four Turnstone were at the Jetty.

On the sea heading northward was a single Common Scoter, 26 Gannet, 9 Red-throated Diver, 1 Red-breasted Merganser. Heading southbound were 4 Red-throated Diver, 2 Shelduck and 2 Red-breasted Merganser.

Pine Beauty is an infrequent visitor despite being common in pine forests.

Ringing: 3 Great Tit, 2 Blackbird, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Blue Tit

Thursday 19th March 2020

An overcast, still morning with occasional light drizzle led to a few thrushes at first light. At least 6 Redwing, 5 Blackbird, 3 Fieldfare and 2 Song Thrush were present around the Obs. 20 Chiffchaff, Firecrest and 4 Goldcrest lingered in the bushes and a Woodlark headed north.

Two Wheatears were also present on the Reserve along with 12 Shelduck.

Offshore heading south were 123 Red-throated Divers 2 Gannet while heading northbound were 6 Common Scoter, a Fulmar, a Kittiwake and a Red-throated Diver. Two Dunlin headed west and 3 Common Seals were off the beach.

Ringing: 12 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackbird, 2 Blue Tit, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Great Tit

Wednesday 18th March 2020

A still overcast morning with a small arrival of at least 9 Chiffchaffs, 5 Goldcrests and 5 Firecrest. A male Wheatear was wandering around the reserve with 8 Pied Wagtails and a White Wagtail. Vis Mig southbound included 17 Wood Pigeons, 7 Meadow Pipits, 8 Goldfinch, 3 Skylark and a Reed Bunting.

Offshore southbound were 10 Brent, 3 Red-throated Diver and 2 Oystercatchers with a single northbound Common Scoter and 2 Kittiwakes. On the sea were 47 Gannets, 20 Common Gull and 2 Mediterranean Gull. A single Common Seal was also offshore.

Ringing: 7 Chiffchaff, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 3 Goldcrest, 3 Firecrest, 1 Great Tit, 1 Dunnock, 1 Robin,1 Blackbird.

Tuesday 17th March 2020

The first Wheatear of the year didn't want its photo taken so here's a couple of long distance migrants ! Also today 5 Redwing, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Firecrest, 2 Song Thrush, Chiffchaff & Fieldfare. Southbound 9 Mipit & Yellowhammer. Offshore southbound 8 Brent, 7 Common Gull, 2 Common Scoter & 2 Curlew with northbound 102 Brent & Curlew plus 4 Gannet behind a ship coming in.

Ringing: 3 Goldcrest, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Dunnock, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Blackbird, 1 Redwing, 1 Robin, 1 Wren

Monday 16th March 2020

Much more pleasant morning with the wind having abated. Migrants include 17 Long-tailed Tit, 13 Blue Tit, 8 Mipit, 8 Robin, 6 Chiffchaff, 4 Redwing, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Stonechat, Firecrest & Siskin. Vis mig southbound 28 Wood Pigeon, 14 Crow, 10 Black-headed Gull, 10 Starling, 9 Jackdaw, 5 Chaffinch, 3 Skylark, 2 Greylag Goose, 2 Mipit, 2 Yellowhammer & Rook. Offshore very quiet with just a couple of Red-throated Diver & Fulmar.

Sunshine so 3 species of butterfly including the first Small Tortoiseshell of the year.

Ringing: 16 Long-tailed Tit, 6 Chiffchaff, 4 Redwing, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Robin.

Sunday 15th March 2020

Wasn't expecting a summer plumage male Long-tailed Duck flying south which is a species not photo'd here previously ! Small handful of migrants including 14 Redwing, 3 Goldcrest, 3 Stonechat, 2 Chiffchaff & Chaffinch plus the Cetti's Warbler still singing. Offshore southbound 23 Brent, 5 Shelduck, 2 Red-throated Diver & Common Scoter with northbound 126 Brent & 2 Gannet plus 4 Gannet following a ship in mid-morning.

Ringing: 2 Goldcrest, 2 Wren, 1 Chiffchaff,