Saturday 15th April 2023

 

Northerly airflow & early morning rain. Handful of migrants including 10 Wheatear, 3 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Whimbrel, Goldcrest & Willow Warbler. 25 Sanderling were on the beach briefly & a Kittiwake flew up river.

Ringing: 2 Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Great Tit, 1 Linnet.

Friday 14th April 2023

Very quiet today, with wind, whilst favourable, much stronger than forecast. A high of 12 wheatear was the most notable migrant influx, with a lot of other birds hunkering down. A few waders on the shoreline including turnstone and 12 sanderling.

Birds Ringed: Linnet 1, Wheatear 2.

 

Thursday 13th April 2023

 A very blustery day, but bright and warm in the shade. The usual suspects around the reserve, though certain species are becoming quieter and less obvious which is a good sign they're starting to breed. A velvet scoter heading south was the most notable species of the morning. A few more waders are turning up at the point, with turnstone and sanderling, whilst in lower numbers than last year, at least back in their normal migratory stopover areas. 

Birds Ringed: Chiffchaff 1, Dunnock 1, Great Tit 1, Wren 1.

Wednesday 12th April 2023

 

Increasing south-westerly wind plus showers throughout the day. Migrants included 8 Wheatear, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Whimbrel, Black Redstart, Firecrest, Goldcrest, White Wagtail & Woodlark plus a wandering Long-tailed Tit. On the beach early morning 5 Dunlin, 3 Turnstone & Sanderling.

Ringing: 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Firecrest, 1 Linnet, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Wren.

Tuesday 12th April 2023

Some classic spring species today, with the first sandwich tern of the year and another whimbrel heading south. After a few days without any, we had 4 wheatear out on the reserve. 8 siskin south were the only sign of any finch passage. 

Male 

Female

At this time of year, before the wear and tear of the breeding season have faded their plumage, its (relatively) straightforward to differentiate the two sexes of ringed plover, with the male much crisper and brighter than the female.

Birds Ringed: Blackcap 1, Chiffchaff 1, Goldcrest 1.

 

Monday 10th April 2023

A wet and miserable day was no day for photography and barely much in the way of migrants moving. Of note were a great spotted woodpecker and a flock of 22 goldfinch sheltering in the compound. A bar-tailed godwit heading north was the most interesting movement at sea. Blackbirds sang despite the rain, and woodpigeons were checking out last years nest sites, a bit of spring behaviour in the murk. 

Birds Ringed: Goldfinch 2. 

Sunday 9th April 2023

 

Light onshore breeze with the sun trying to break through but by early afternoon thick mist rolled in and one could not make out the cottage from the end of the observatory despite glorious sunshine just inland !

Migrants this morning included 8 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 3 Swallow, 2 Jackdaw, Firecrest, Goldcrest, Mipit, Song Thrush, Willow Warbler & a different  new Black Red.

One or two Powdered Quaker turn up in spring in most years.

Ringing: 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Linnet, 1 Willow Warbler.