Even though it was expected, rain first thing was still a bit of a shock to the senses. No doubt the flora appreciated it but the snails were out in full force. Unfortunately the wind and rain had little effect on changing up the bird life although 1 Singing Chiffchaff was not fazed. 2 Swallow have been seen regularly for the past week and one wonders if they might be scoping for a potential nesting site. 9 Brent Geese went South for some odd reason but otherwise very little else to report.
Saturday 24th May 2025
Friday 23rd May 2025
Seemingly indecisive weather today as a we had a bit of sun, cloud and fluctuating winds but the rain is due tomorrow. Highlights today include a Common Buzzard who was soon chased off by the local Crows, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 House Martin, 5 Med Gull, 1 Stock Dove, 12 Swallow and 2 Swift. Offshore 8 Common Tern and 10 Kittiwake South.
Thursday 22nd May 2025
Dull with a couple of spots of rain am (but again blink & you would have missed it). Migrants were 2 Chiffchaff & 2 Reed Warbler. 10 Brent flew out & north & 11 Swallow flew south. Offshore southbound 17 Kitts, 5 Oyk & Whimbrel with northbound 9 Sandwich Tern, 4 Kitts & a Common Scoter plus another Common Scoter flying into the river.
Rustic Shoulder-knot has become more infrequent over the years.Wednesday 21st May 2025
229 Brent headed out then north. A couple of spots of rain (blink & you missed it) dropped in a Chiffchaff & a Spot Fly mid morning that had not been noted earlier. Other migrants included southbound 10 Oyks, 7 Kitts, 3 Swallows, Mallard & a Kestrel offshore. A Little Egret came in off & a Hobby visited.Peppered Moth is well camouflaged on the wall.
Tuesday 20th May 2025
Definitely a day to be by the seaside. A further 135 Brent Geese Tundra bound this morning. The best time to catch flocks going over seems to be either early morning or late evening. Still some Swallow around, 1 Swift and offshore 1 Common and 1 Sandwich Tern.
Monday 19th May 2025
It might not be the most vibrant moth we record here but Cydia microgramana is nationally rare. It lives here on Restharrow.
Ringing: 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldfinch.
Sunday 18th May 2025
A very chilly start to the day given the time of year. A Fulmar going North was notable and a few hours later another one was spotted on the river. Also very unseasonal was a lone Redwing which seems to have replaced the Ring Ouzel which wasn't seen today. A further 40 Brent Geese North today. Other migrants include 2 Barnacle Geese, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Greenfinch, 5 Common Scoter and 7 Swallow.