Saturday 6th May 2023

A trickle of migrants through today, a handful of willow warblers, whitethroats, and blackcaps. A female redstart was found at the Butt's. Barely any insects today as it was a cold and grey day, the ones exception to this was a brief painted lady flying by the observatory late morning. The frogs have been quite active at the Butt's pond. 

The first Common Swift moth of the year, exactly when we'd expect it. 

Birds Ringed: Blackcap 1, Chiffchaff 1, Willow Warbler 4.  

Friday 5th May 2023

Between a couple of rain showers, it actually felt like spring has arrived today. The first reed warblers were reported on site, the first turtle dove of the year was observed flying south and with a bit of sunshine late morning the first large red damselflies were at the Butt's pond, the first holly blue butterfly was skirmishing with a green hairstreak by the observatory pond, and another 4 species of butterfly makes it our best day for butterflies so far this year. Red admiral, several peacocks, small white and small tortoiseshell were dotted around the observatory and reserve. A second garden warbler for the year was in the compound and willow warblers and whitethroats were still passing through, along with some blackcaps. One willow warbler even joined a few blackcaps in some half hearted song mid morning before moving through. 

Todays first for the year moth is the Diamond-back, which unlike a lot of the other species this year is dead on cue.

Birds Ringed: Blackbird 1, Blackcap 4, Garden Warbler 1, Linnet 4, Reed Warbler 1, Whitethroat 4, Willow Warbler 4, Woodpigeon 1. 

 

Thursday 4th May 2023

An strong easterly wind brought with it a colourful surprise. A hoopoe was present on and around the reserve, feeding strongly and enjoyed by many observers. Other than this however, it was a quiet day, 9 swallows south and a blackcap and several lesser whitethroats singing in the compound being the highlights. A single house martin east was vaguely notable, and 6 wheatear remain on the reserve.

Birds Ringed: Chiffchaff 1, Wren 1.

Wednesday 3rd May 2023

 

Chilly easterly delivered a handful of migrants including 6 Lesser 'throat, 6 Wheatear, 2 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Whitethroat, Brambling & Redstart although some of these Sylvia warblers might well be settling in on territory. 8 Common Gull headed out over the observatory with offshore sightings no more exciting than 2 Common Tern, Fulmar & Whimbrel.

Moth numbers still very poor although good to get a Seraphim as it has only been noted here in three previous years.

Ringing: 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Linnet, 1 Blackbird, 1 Blackcap.

Tuesday 2nd May 2023

With another shift to a northerly the temperature and passage have dropped accordingly. Some willow warblers, whitethroats and blackcaps still trickling through, with the latter taking the opportunity to sing around the observatory all morning, nice to hear, even if they're unlikely to stay. Terns are continuing to pass with 3 Arctic's north and 3 common feeding offshore. Plenty of linnets carrying nesting material, through they're late to the party as blackbirds, starlings and house sparrows are feeding young already and our local blue tits are incubating currently. 

The Coronet is a species that was only noted for the first time in 2004, but has become an annual visitor since.

Birds Ringed: Blackcap 2, Goldfinch 1, Linnet 2, Whitethroat 1, Willow Warbler 2.

Monday 1st May 2023

Cloudy skies and a bit of light rain didn't deter a few more willow warblers from pushing through the peninsula today. These were joined by a few more whitethroats and lesser whitethroats, some of which will be sticking around to breed. 3 yellow wagtail flew south as did 40 swallows, 5 sand and 1 house martin. 

Birds Ringed: Blackcap 3, Chiffchaff 1, Lesser Whitethroat 2, Whitethroat 2, Willow Warbler 5, Woodpigeon 1. 

APRIL RINGING TOTALS

 

201 birds of 25 species ringed is similar to the paltry totals of the last few April's. A Tree Pipit was the first one ringed in spring for many years with the Cetti's also worth a mention. Don't do many Sedgies (above) in spring despite there common status in suitable habitat nearby.

Sunday 30th April 2023

 

Good to see some terns on the move northbound with 26 Arctic Tern, single Common & Sandwich plus, most unexpectedly, a Gull-billed Tern. Also on the move southbound 7 Kitts, 3 Barwit, 2 Red-breasted Merganser & Whimbrel with northbound 6 Kitts. Also southbound 23 Swallow, 3 Sand Martin, 3 Yellow Wag & a Rook. A lot fewer grounded migrants than yesterday including 4 Lesser 'throat, 3 Blackcap, 3 Whitethroat, Brambling, Chiffchaff & Willow Warbler plus a Black Redstart singing off the Fort.

With some sunnier conditions a few day flying moths on the wing like Esperia sulphurella which lives on decaying wood.

Ringing: 2 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Linnet, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Wren.