Saturday 10th July 2021

Woodpigeon and chick enjoying the limited early morning sunshine

 Almost flat calm first thing with cloud gradually building through the morning but with none of the forecasts agreeing if and when the rain would arrive (it eventually did around 1100) we opened limited nets in anticipation!   All of the day's interest was again offshore with a steady southerly passage of birds dominated by a good total of 1,462 Black-headed Gulls along with 11 Common Gulls, 16 Mediterranean Gulls, 7 Sandwich Terns, 8 Common Terns, 6 Common Scoter, 14 Curlew, a Heron, 35 Oystercatchers, a Sanderling, 4 Teal and 6 Whimbrel.

Other little bits included a Cuckoo, a Grey Wagtail and 19 Swifts south.

Ringing: Linnet 4, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Dunnock 1, House Sparrow 2

Classic Lesser Common Rustic 'plumage'

Friday 9th July 2021

No Blue-tailed Damselflies were seen in the drought of 2020, so its good that they are now back on The Butts pond.

 A gorgeous first few hours of the day calm, clear and warm before a little onshore breeze sprang up producing a bit more cloud and a slight cooling effect - still nice though!   Today's offshore southerly movement comprised 322 Black-headed Gulls, 8 Mediterranean Gulls, 9 Common Gulls, 8 Common Terns, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 23 Curlew, 2 Dunlin, 6 Oystercatchers, a Gadwall, 4 Shoveler and 12 Teal.

Other birds through the day included a Chaffinch, 3 Chiffchaffs (all re-traps), 2 Great-spotted Woodpeckers, 24 Sand Martins south, 5 Swallows south and 5 Swifts.

Ringing: Black Redstart 1, Dunnock 1, Blackbird 2, Starling 4, House Sparrow 10, Goldfinch 4, Linnet 2

Noted here for the first time in 2020, the nationally scarce Hollyhock Seed Moth is here again this year

Thursday 8th July 2021

Stock Dove

 A decent day with a moderate WSW breeze, overcast at first but with spells of warm sunshine from mid-morning; there was a tickle of birds offshore through the morning including a nice variety of waders heading south consisting of 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, a Common Sandpiper, 47 Curlew, 2 Dunlin, 5 Oystercatchers, 2 Redshank and 5 Whimbrel along with 41 Black-headed Gulls, 6 Common Gulls, 9 Common Scoter, 2 Common Terns, 2 Gadwall, a Heron, 7 Mediterranean Gulls, 9 Teal, 18 Sand Martins, 3 Swallows and 6 Swifts.

Also of note were the Black Redstarts still, the lingering Chiffchaff, an immigrant juvenile Stock Dove and another Southern Migrant Hawker around The Butts pond.

Ringing: Dunnock 5, Robin 1, Wren 1, Blackbird 2, House Sparrow 1, Linnet 3, Goldfinch 2, Blue Tit 1, Great Tit 1

The Coronet is only noted occasionally with every one different in colour!

Wednesday 7th July 2021

Begging Rabbits scrounge carrots whilst the moth traps are being emptied but, what's more worrying is the fact that one finds oneself talking to them - although it would be even more worrying if they answered back !

Breezy dull morning. Southbound 2 Whimbrel, Curlew & Swift with northbound 2 Gannet, 2 Sandwich Tern & Swallow. On site it's baby bird time of the year.

Probably one of the poorest July nights on record with very few moths in the traps. Heart & Club was non-existent here last century but is presently one of the commonest species recorded.

Ringing: 4 Linnet, 3 House Sparrow, 2 Dunnock, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Great Tit.

Tuesday 6th July 2021

 A tough day in the field with a force 6-7 WSW wind picking up through the morning bringing frequent spells of precipitation ranging from light drizzle to heavy rain showers, although there were some sunny spells in the afternoon; all the notable birds were offshore and included a few ducks early on with 16 Teal, 4 Gadwall and a Pochard heading south along with 3 Common Terns, 7 Curlew, 3 Whimbrel, a Fulmar, 2 Gannets and 9 Sandwich Terns.

Ringing: House Sparrow 1

Another former immigrant, now thought to be established is Langmaid's Yellow Underwing

Monday 5th July 2021

Starlings

 Light rain lingered from dawn through until around 08:00, after which it turned into a pleasant, warm day with an increasing WSW wind; the day's birding highlight came just after lunchtime with a male Serin which flew in, gave a few bars of song before disappearing.

A few other bits and pieces comprised a trickle of birds moving south including 19 Black-headed Gulls, a Brent Goose, 2 Common Gulls, 12 Curlew, 2 Swallows, 30 Swifts and 2 Whimbrel, a dispersing juvenile Blackcap, and the first spangly juvenile Peregrine of the year.

Also of note for the site was a Southern Migrant Hawker, seemingly emerging from the Butts pond - the first record for the Obs.

Ringing: Herring Gull 2 (pullus), Song Thrush 1, Blackcap 1, Goldfinch 1

Southern Migrant Hawker

Clancy's Rustic - formally a vagrant, then an immigrant, it has now colonised during this century

Sunday 4th July 2021

The nature reserve is botanically the best we have seen it for years at the moment - it's amazing what a bit of rain can do.

Southbound 34 Black-headed Gull, 12 Curlew, 12 Swift, 9 Whimbrel, 4 Sand Martin, Gannet & Swallow with northbound a single Gannet. On site a male Blackcap will be a failed breeder wandering & is the first since the last of the spring on 6th June. 3 dispersing juvenile Chiffchaff may have wandered here from as close as Langer Park.

Another addition to the site list, from yesterday, is Grapholita tenebrosana whose main claim to fame is a lack of features.

Ringing: 3 House Sparrow, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Linnet, 1 Blackbird, 1 Blackcap, 1 Blue Tit.