Wednesday 9th April 2014

Very little on site today in the way of migrants, just 6 Wheatear, 4 Blackcap and a Willow Warbler being the most noteworthy. Swallows passed through in very small numbers, whilst offshore around 100 Black-Headed Gulls passed through south along with 7 Common Gulls and 5 Canada Geese( an unusual occurrence for the site). Also, this time going north were 2 Red-Throated Divers, 15 Dunlin and a Shoveler.

A total of 9 birds were ringed . 4 Blackcap, 2 Wheatear, and one each of Blackbird, Linnet and Wren.

Tuesday 8th April 2014

A sunny day but with a strong south-south-west wind. The only grounded migrants were 3 Willow Warbler and single Blackcap, Chiffchaff & Fieldfare. However there was a reasonable numbers moving with 2 Sand Martins in off and a southerly passage including 93 Black-heads, 49 Knot, 27 Grey Plover,15 Shelduck, 10 Gannet,  4 Swallow, 11 Goldfinch & a Marsh Harrier with another heading north.

Ringing; 2 Willow Warblers & a Blackcap

Monday 7th April 2014

A breezy day with rain most of the time. Despite the weather 2 Wheatear, 2 Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, 2 Swallow & a Sand Martin (the latter two heading south). Offshore an adult Little Gull, 2 adult Med Gulls also headed south.

Ringing; 2 Chiffchaff & a Willow Warbler.

Sunday 6th April 2014

With the early morning rain clearing by dawn, high hopes were had that more migrants than of late would be found. We were not to be overwhelmed by numbers, but there was a good sprinkling of common migrants lurking around. Highlights included a male Common Redstart, a sprinkling of Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs, Blackcap, Song thrushes,Redwing and a Fieldfare, 4 Swallows over and a female Merlin hunting around the docks and over the common. Over the sea small numbers of waders,ducks and seabirds were noted including 17 adult Mediterranean Gulls south, 3 Tufted Duck and 1 Red-Breasted Merganser also south, and a Bonxie hanging around offshore.

13 birds were ringed, 5 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff and 1 each of Song Thrush, Common Redstart, Blackcap and Wren.

Saturday 5th April 2014

At last the smog has gone!. A nice sunny day with a slight breeze today. A varied selection of migrants were about this morning with 2 Willow Warbler, 8 Chiffchaff, 4 Siskin, 3 Redwing, 2 Woodcock, 2 Blackcap, 2 Swallows, single Wheatear & Brambling and an early male Redstart which was located by the Mine Station. Offshore southern passage included 12 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Black-tailed Godwit and single Fulmar & Dunlin.

12 Birds Ringed; 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap and single Blackbird, Song Thrush, Wren & Redwing.

Friday 4th April 2014

Yet another misty day. A few migrants were about today including 4 Chiffchaff, and single Blackcap, Wheatear & Black Redstart. There was a slight southerly passage including a Swallow, 5 Goldfinch 9 Siskin & 56 Chaffinch, whilst off shore 295 Brent headed north.

Ringing; 3 Chiffchaff and single Blackbird, Song Thrush, Blackcap, Greenfinch & Black Redstart.

Thursday 3rd April 2014

Another misty day with north-easterlies and a light shower before dawn. A fairly quiet day again with 3 Chiffchaffs, single Brambling & Blackcap and our first two Swallows of the year flew in off the sea mid morning.

Ringing; 3 Wren, 2 Chiffchaff and single Dunnock & Magpie.