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.

Saturday 13th April 2024

A quieter day, with many of the warblers having moved through, especially the blackcaps. Still a few willow warblers and chiffchaffs around, though they were less vocal and active. Wheatear numbers rose to 14 however, and 3 yellow wagtail headed south along with 4 meadow pipits. Med gulls are still on the move, though more seemed to be heading south today than north. A redpoll singing from the observatory compound was an unexpected encounter, though it didn't stay long enough for a photo. 

First Muslin moth of the season..

Birds Ringed: Blackbird 1, Blackcap 1, Cetti's Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 2, Wheatear 5, Willow Warbler 8, Wren 1. 

Friday 12th April 2024

Another mild day saw quite a fall of phylloscopus warblers. At least 25 willow warblers were around the site, with several singing intermittently. Amongst these were at least 10 chiffchaffs, 15 blackcap and a firecrest with 3 lesser whitethroat and the regular 4 Cetti's warblers. A nightingale was singing on the reserve and at least 11 wheatears had dropped in overnight. 

Only the third site record of Frosted Green. 

Birds Ringed: Blackbird 1, Blackcap 9, Chiffchaff 6, Goldfinch 3, Great Tit 1, Wheatear 2, Willow Warbler 16.

Thursday 11th April 2024

Noticeable increase in passerine migrants today, willow warblers singing all over the place, blackcaps everywhere and one of our earliest lesser whitethroat records. A young male redstart was also found, 4 Cetti's warblers were singing and the black redstart was singing in the morning dark again. A marsh harrier flew south, and med gulls continue to move north in small groups with 14 passing throughout the morning. A second year coal tit was the first seen here this year. 

The first site record of the nationally scarce Pammene giganteana was found today. The second part of its scientific name seems a little ironic as its less than a centimetre in length. 

Birds Ringed: Blackcap 13, Blue Tit 1, Chiffchaff 1, Coal Tit 1, Firecrest 1, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Linnet 3, Redstart 1, Willow Warbler 7. 
 

Wednesday 10th April 2024

 

The wind abated to allow a few migrants to appear with today's eclectic mix including southbound 123 Black-headed Gull, 13 Common Gull, 10 Goldfinch, 8 Med Gull, 4 Chaffinch, 4 Shelduck, 2 Swallow, Buzzard, Curlew, Oyk, Rook & Siskin. On site migrants were 10 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Wheatear, 2 Whitethroat, Firecrest, Grey Wag, Jackdaw, Nightingale & Snipe. 3 Cetti's & Black Red still here and 18 Sanderling were on the beach early morning.

Ringing: 6 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler.