Saturday 20th April 2024

 

The local Blackies are working hard foraging for their young.

In a chilly northerly airflow offshore were northbound 58 Gannet, 10 Cormorant, 9 Common Scoter, 2 Fulmar, 2 Sandwich Tern, Shelduck & Whimbrel with southbound 3 Gannet, Oyk plus a Red-throated Diver that pitched in. On site migrants were 16 Wheatear, 4 Lesser 'throat, Ring Ouzel, Whitethroat & Willow Warbler.

Ringing: 1 Linnet, 1 Willow Warbler.

Friday 19th April 2024

An April shower or two throughout the morning didn't hamper the handful of migrants passing the obs today. Offshore the highlight was two black-throated divers flying south, with a supporting cast of 5 whimbrel and 4 sandwich tern. Wheatear numbers had dropped a little from yesterday, but lesser whitethroats seem to be increasing by the day. A few willow warblers and a blackcap sang intermittently before moving through late morning. The black redstart was once again singing his heart out from various parts of the fort, usually wherever a birder with a camera wasn't. 

No moths at all the previous 3 days, so it was good to get the first Shuttle-shaped Dart of the year.

Birds Ringed: Blackcap 4, Chiffchaff 1, Linnet 1.  

Thursday 18th April 2024

A relatively quiet day, with more waders passing through, whimbrel, sanderling and turnstone. An odd movement was 8 rook south, as most breeding birds would be well into the nesting season now. Wheatear numbers increased to 14 and shelduck numbers to 19. A scattering of migrant warblers included 2 blackcap, 2 willow warbler and a lesser whitethroat, though the latter could well breed here this year. The black redstart was singing again on the fort, for most of the morning, finally giving reasonable views. A sandwich tern north was the first seen this year, previous records were call only. 

Birds Ringed: Blackcap 1, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Wheatear 4, Willow Warbler 2. 

Wednesday 17th April 2024

Despite strong wind, there were still a handful of migrants around. 2 singing blackcap, 5 chiffchaff, 8 willow warbler, 3 lesser and one common whitethroat were a mixture of local birds and those passing through. 10 wheatear remained on the reserve and a marsh harrier flew north. 

Birds Ringed: Willow Warbler 2. 

 

Tuesday 16th April 2024

A cold north-westerly wind is not good for migrants or observer enthusiasm. Southbound 41 Black-headed Gull, 14 Med Gull, 4 Common Gull, 2 Sandwich Tern, Oyk & Little Gull with northbound 5 Gannet, 2 Med Gull, 2 Teal, Fulmar & Whimbrel. On site 13 Sanderling, 3 Turnstone, a couple of Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroats, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff & Willow Warbler. 8 Siskin & 6 Goldfinch went south.

Ringing: 2 Blackcap, 1 Willow Warbler.

Monday 15th April 2024

A tough morning for observations today, with winds gusting almost 40mph, and intermittent and heavy rain and hail showers. Highlight of the morning was 9 whimbrel heading south. 3 wheatears toughed the conditions out on the reserve, and 1 swallow flew south against the wind. 26 common scoter headed north, whilst 2 Brent geese decided today was not the day to head back to their breeding grounds and headed south into the wind.

 

Sunday 14th April 2024

 

A pleasant morning mix of migrants included 10 Willow Warbler, 9 Wheatear, 6 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, Grey Wagtail & Whitethroat. Southbound 45 Black-headed Gull, 22 Goldfinch, 19 Med Gull, 13 Oyk, 9 Crows, 7 Swallow, 2 Buzzard, 2 Curlew, 2 Stock Dove, Barnacle Goose & Sand Martin. First Painted lady of the season is worth a mention.

Esperia sulphurella are day flyers coming out in the sunny spots.

Ringing: 8 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Wood Pigeon.