Saturday 28th September 2024

Another nice day for vis mig, with an increase in chiffchaffs and blackcaps in the observatory compound. First skylarks for the autumn were recorded, with 17 siskin and 32 goldfinch heading south along with 4 chaffinch. 3 spoonbill flew south out to sea, the first we've seen here for a while. 76 swallows flew south along with 105 meadow pipit. A redstart was out by the boardwalk on the beach and a stonechat remained out on the reserve (or was a new bird in). 12 crows were joined briefly by 3 jackdaws. Yet another new Cetti's warbler was ringed, continuing their invasion started this time last year.  

Few moths following the temperature last night, so a Comma enjoying the sunshine makes a nice change. 

Birds Ringed: Blackcap 10, Cetti's Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 8, Grey Wagtail 1, Meadow Pipit 3.

Friday 27th September 2024

Wet and windy conditions actually proved a nice day for vis mig, though it started slowly. Out to sea, the only movement of note was 113 gannet south. Over the reserve however, it was a little more lively, with 292 swallow moving south with 184 house martin and 26 meadow pipit. The hirundines weren't just heading south, with the majority of the house martins (325) heading north along with 28 of the swallows. A single swift also headed north, the first recorded here in over a month. 2 kestrels were joined by 2 hobbies, a yellow wagtail moved south and 7 wheatear were on the reserve along with a redstart and stonechat. Chiffchaffs and blackcaps were still the most abundant warblers, though 1 whitethroat braved the conditions as well. A male brambling was also seen on the reserve, the first record for the autumn.

Feathered Ranunculus is putting in an appearance most nights recently.

 

Thursday 26th September 2024

Wind and intermittent showers didn't dampen the actions of migrants today, with chiffchaffs still being the most abundant warbler onsite, though in lower numbers than yesterday. Blackcaps were also in double figures, and yesterdays stonechat was either joined by a male, or two new birds had come in. A redstart was out on the reserve, a ring ouzel was seen flying south and a fieldfare was heard briefly. 40 house martin headed south along with 57 swallow and a single sand martin. Meadow pipit numbers were reasonable, with 85 noted throughout the morning. A rock pipit joined a turnstone and purple sandpiper on the jetty and a spotted flycatcher was in the holm oaks at the front of the observatory, perhaps the last we'll see this year?

Deep-brown Dart is a typical end of September emerging species we have in small numbers. 

Birds Ringed: Blackcap 2, Chiffchaff 12. 

 

Wednesday 25th September 2024

 

Frustrating as obviously new birds in but drizzle on & off all morning made birding difficult & ringing potential well short of what might have been achieved. At least 50 Chiffchaff, 25 Mipit, 20 Blackcap, 10 Wheatear, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Grey Wag, 2 Lesser 'throat, 2 Song Thrush, Reed Warbler, Stonechat, Whinchat & Willow Warbler scattered around the entire site. Little vis mig although southbound 27 Mipit, 8 Swallow & 2 Chaffinch. Purp was on the point.

Red Underwing doesn't end up in the traps very often with numbers declining & none at all seen here in the previous three years.

Ringing: 15 Chiffchaff, 10 Blackcap, 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler. 
 

Tuesday 24th September 2024

Another typical autumn day, wind and intermittent rain. Still some migrants present however, a 1st year yellow wagtail out on the reserve is probably an individual that has been here for a few days, though it could be new. 3 wheatears are around the reserve as were 35 meadow pipits, a reed warbler, 9 chiffchaffs and 4 blackcaps. The local Cetti's warblers have been joined by some dispersing birds so the reserve is alive with the sounds of Cetti's song, though in a variety of competencies. 1 Brent goose and 1 teal south were a poor showing out to sea after the previous days visible migration. 

 

Four-spotted Footman is an immigrant or a wanderer here. 

Birds Ringed; Blackcap 1, Chiffchaff 2, Dunnock 1, Grey Wagtail 1, Meadow Pipit 1, Sparrowhawk 1. 

Monday 23rd September 2024

A bit of rain overnight as some promising winds did provide a bit of movement, perhaps not as much as expected. Out to sea, duck were moving south with 8 pintail joining 143 wigeon, 20 teal and a shoveler. A merlin also flew south early morning, as did a single golden plover.  3 wheatear were out on the reserve along with a yellow wagtail and 27 meadow pipits. Another garden warbler and two young reed warblers were in the observatory compound, its been a reasonable autumn for both species, which makes a pleasant change for garden warblers, a species in significant decline. 

The first Clifden Nonpareil of the year was sitting alongside one of the moth traps this morning. 

Birds Ringed: Chiffchaff 1, Dunnock, Garden Warbler 1, Reed Warbler 2, Song Thrush 1. 

 

Sunday 22nd September 2024

 

Autumn equinox brought a diverse mix in low numbers including the first 4 Chaffinch & 4 Siskin of the season plus a juvenile Female Peregrine. Vis mig continues to be poor with southbound 25 Mipit & 22 Swallow. Offshore movements negligible in the murky conditions. Migrants included 25 Mipit, 8 Chiffchaff, 3 Grey Wag, 2 Lesser 'throat, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Wheatear, Garden Warbler, Hobby, Lapwing, Spot Fly, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler & Yellow Wag. Late morning the Barred Warbler from last Tuesday reappeared, having put on 4 grams, showing that it is more adept on feeding on the Blackberry crop than the observers here have been on seeing it over the last six days.

Endothenia oblongana has only been noted on a handful of previous occasions.

Ringing: 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Dunnock, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Robin, 1 Siskin, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Willow Warbler.