Thursday, 31st May 2012

Offshore
An evening watch after the rain cleared produced 45 Gannet, 21 Manx Shearwater west, 7 Common Scoter and 7 Sandwich Terns.

Grounded Migrants
The rain brought down a few late migrants including 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler and 2 more late Chiffchaffs.

Ringing
8 Blue Tit pulli & 1 Great Tit.

Others
4 Turnstone, 36 Sanderling, 57 Curlew, 7 Bar-tailed Godwit, 10 Dunlin and a 1st summer Yellow-legged Gull.

1st summer Yellow-legged Gull

Wednesday, 30th May 2012

Offshore
33 Common Scoter, 2 Sandwich Tern, 15 Gannets, 5 Guillemot, 2 Auk sp., 1 Red-breasted Merganser and 12 Manx Shearwaters west.

Visible Migration
10 Swallow NE.

Grounded Migrants
2 Spotted Flycatcher.

Ringing
1 Dunnock and 1 Robin.

Others
52 Sanderling, 1 Turnstone, 7 Ringed Plover, 19 Dunlin, 1 Whimbrel, 4 Grey Plover and 2 (pair) Red-breasted Merganser.

 

 Meadow Pipit carrying food

   

Tuesday, 29th May 2012

Offshore
35 Gannet west, 13 Manx Shearwater west, 1 Fulmar east, 7 Kittiwake east, 54 Common Scoter, 5 Sandwich Tern west, 2 Common Tern east, 2 Guillemot, 2 Razorbill and 6 Auk sp.

 

Visible Migration

2 House Martin NE and 15 Swallows NE.

 

Others 

114 Sanderling, 3 Turnstone, 17 Dunlin, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 4 Ringed Plover and 2 Little-ringed Plovers.

 

 Little Ringed Plover

The obs isn't just about migration; breeding birds are monitored.too The 

nest above is of a Ringed Plover, with probably 1 or 2 more eggs to be layed.

Monday, 28th May 2012

Offshore
21 Manx Shearwater west, 16 Gannet west, 45 Common Scoter, 1 Auk sp., 53 Arctic Tern east, 2 Black Tern east, 4 Sandwich Tern, 6 Guillemot. Also 6 Harbour Porpoise & 4 Atlantic Grey Seals.

 

A watch during the evening produced an additional 12 Manx Shearwater, 11 Gannet and 11 Sandwich Tern.

 

Visible Migration

3 Swift east, 3 House Martin NE and 11 Swallow NE.

 

Grounded Migrants

1 Spotted Flycatcher and 1 new Reed Warbler.

 

Others

11 Sanderling and 1 Peregrine.

 

  Sanderlings

Sunday, 27th May 2012

The continued easterlies sprinkled a bit of 'black magic' at the obs today!

Offshore
402 Arctic Tern east, including a single 1st summer bird, 53 Black Terns east (largest flock 15 & several landed briefly on a distant sandbank with Arctics), 2 Common Tern east, 2 Sandwich Tern east, 11 Gannet, 9 Manx Shearwater east, 1 Red-throated Diver east, 8 Guillemot, 6 Auk sp, 12 Common Scoter, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 dark morph Arctic Skua east, 9 Shelduck north and 135 Knot south.

 

 'Ropey' heavily cropped shot of Black Terns on sandbar with Arctics; 

honest!

 

Visible Migration

1 male Hen Harrier flew east offshore at 06:55,12 Swift east, 66 Swallow NE, 9 House Martin NE, 4 Sand Martin NE, 3 Redpoll east, 5 Goldfinch east and 1 Siskin north.

 

 Swift

 

Grounded Migrants

1 Wheatear, 8 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler and 2 Willow Warblers.

 

Spotted Flycatcher

 

Others

3 Whimbrel, 27 Sanderling, 2 Shoveler and 1st summer Yellow-legged Gull.

 

 .

Saturday, 26th May 2012

The easterly winds produced some late spring movement through the obs today.

Offshore
12 Gannet, 9 Common Scoter, 2 Guillemot, 3 Sandwich Tern, 17 Arctic Tern west, 1 Black Tern west (with Arctics) and 1 light morph Pomarine Skua east at 05:50.

 

Visible Migration

1 Chaffinch east, 1 Goldfinch east, 54 Swallow NE, 6 House Martin NE, 1 Sand Martin NE, 21 Swift east and 1 Grey Wagtail east.

 

Grounded Migrants

1 Wheatear.

 

Wheatear

 

Others

3 Whimbrel, 120 Sanderling, 65 Dunlin, 9 Ringed Plover, 1st summer Yellow-legged Gull and 1 Raven.

 

 

Friday, 25th May 2012

Offshore

2 Sandwich Tern, 5 Gannet, 1 Guillemot and 11 Common Scoter.

Visible Migration

117 Swallow NE, 19 House Martin NE, 3 Sand Martin NE, 2 Redpoll east, 1 Goldfinch east, 1 Siskin east, 1 Whimbrel east and 1 female type Marsh Harrier flew north along east side of the peninsular at 14.40.

 Swallows and House Martin

Grounded Migrants

3 Wheatear, 1 Chiffchaff (late migrant singing at the obs early morning),1 Sedge Warbler and 1 Spotted Flycatcher.

Others

2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 120 Sanderling, 70 Dunlin, 2 Turnstone, 1 Knot, 6 Ringed Plover and a 1st summer Yellow-legged Gull.

We received some additional information on the colour-ringed Sanderling that Ian observed a few days ago at the obs; it was actually ringed in County Clare, Ireland on 21st February 2011, where it was presumably wintering and then colour rings were added by Jeroen Reneerkens in northeast Greenland in June 2011.

Ian observed another colour ringed Sanderling yesterday at the obs and this was ringed by Jeroen at Sandgerði, Iceland on 30th May 2011, and this was the first sighting of this bird since being colour marked. See Google Earth image below.

 

 

  

Thursday, 24th May 2012

Offshore
25 Gannet east, 2 Red throated Diver east, 26 Common Scoter east, 3 Fulmar east, 28 Knot east and 1 Sandwich Tern.

 

Visible Migration

194 Swallow NE, 10 House Martin NE, 3 Sand Martin NE, 5 Goldfinch east, 1 Linnet east, 2 Redpoll east and 1 Siskin east.

 

Grounded Migrants

2 Wheatear, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Garden Warbler, 1 Whitethroat and 1 Blackcap.

 

Others

315 Sanderling, 90 Dunlin, 12 Ringed Plover and 2 Turnstone.

 

We have just received the details of a colour ringed Sanderling (see picture below) that Ian observed at the obs on 20th and 23rd May. 

 

 

 

This bird was ringed by Jeroen Reneerkens at Zackenberg in northeast Greenland (see Google Earth image below) on 24th June 2011. Jeroen informs us that this bird raised four chicks that were hatched on 9th July 2011. Jeroen is carrying out research into the biology of Sanderlings and in particular the Sanderlings use of the African-Eurasian flyways. Interesting stuff!

 

 

 

Wednesday, 23rd May 2012

With a thick sea mist over the obs all day, records were few and far between.

Ringing
1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Wren, 1 Blackbird and 1 Great Tit.

 Sedge Warbler

Offshore
2 Sandwich Tern, 1 male Common Scoter on the sea just off shore. Also 3 Atlantic Grey Seals.

 

Visible Migration

Unsurprisingly just 13 Swallows.

 

Grounded Migrants

Just a single Wheatear.

 

Others  

600 Sanderling, 7 Turnstone, 125 Dunlin and 17 Ringed Plover. 

 

 Sanderling

Tuesday, 22nd May 2012

Offshore
2 Sandwich Tern, 2 Gannet, 3 Common Scoter and 2 Tufted Duck west.

Visible Migration
3 Tree pipit NNE, 8 Redpoll east, 4 Goldfinch east, 1 Siskin east, 10 House Martin NNE, 2 Sand Martin NNE and 76 Swallow NNE.

Grounded Migrants

4 Wheatear, 1 Sedge Warbler,  2 Whitethroat, 1 Garden Warbler and 2 Willow Warbler.

Ringing
3 Sedge Warblers, Reed Warbler and Dunnock. 
 

Others

220 Sanderling, 330 Dunlin and 27 Ringed Plover. Over the pools were 4 Sand Martin & 25 House Martin. At least 21 Singing male Reed Warblers within the recording area today.

Reed Warbler

Late news from yesterday; a female Common Redpoll was photographed at the obs.

 

 

Monday, 21st May 2012

The main feature of today was more Spotted Flycatchers!

Offshore
5 Sandwich Tern, 9 Arctic Tern east, 3 Gannet and 7 Common Scoter.

Visible Migration
118 Swallow NE,11 House Martin, 2 Sand Martin, 1 Yellow Wagtail east, 1 Siskin east, 8 Redpoll east, 1 Linnet east and 8 Goldfinch east.

 

Grounded Migrants 

5 Wheatear, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Garden Warbler and 5 Spotted Flycatcher.

 

 Spotted Flycatcher

 

Ringing

1 Blackcap, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Dunnock, 1 Long-tailed Tit and 1 Chaffinch.

 

 Willow Warbler

 

Others

600 Dunlin, 230 Sanderling, 58 Ringed Plover, 17 Turnstone, 2 Whimbrel and 40 House Martin over the pools. .

  

Sunday, 20th May 2012

Ringing
3 Song Thrush, Reed Bunting, Lesser Whitethroat, Robin, 6 Sedge Warblers, Goldfinch, Reed Warbler, 3 Whitethroats, 2 Blackbirds, 3 Greenfinch and Wren.

 Lesser Whitethroat

Offshore
4 Gannet, 8 Sandwich Tern, 12 Common Scoter, 1 Guillemot, 1 dark morph Arctic Skua east.

 

Grounded Migrants

7 Wheatear, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethtoat, 4 Sedge Warblers and 2 new Reed Warblers. 

 

Visible Migration 

162 Swallow NE,  4 Sand Martin NE, 11 House Martin NE and 3 Whimbrel east.

 

Others

275 Sanderling, 85 Dunlin, 38 Ringed Plover, 19 Turnstone, 2 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank, 1 Redpoll and 7 Swifts over the pools.

 

 Dunlin and Sanderling

 

Saturday, 19th May 2012

Offshore
4 Sandwich Tern, 2 Arctic Tern east, 1 Red breasted Merganser, 12 Gannet, 37 Common Scoter and 1 Guillemot.

 

Visible Migration

1 Redpoll east, 111 Swallow NE, 25 House Martin NE, 4 Sand Martin NE and 5 Swift NE.

 

Grounded Migrants

20 Wheatear, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Blackcap and 4 Spotted Flycatchers.

 

 Spotted Flycatcher

Wheatear

 

Others

80 Swift & 50 House Martins over pools early evening, and 11 Whimbrel on the river.

  

Friday, 18th May 2012

Offshore
9 Gannet, 17 Arctic Tern east, 3 Common Tern east, 1 Sandwich Tern, 4 Guillemot, 2 Auk sp., 42 Common Scoter east and 1500 Knot west. 

Visible Migration

16 Swift NE, 217 Swallow NE, 5 Sand Martin NE, 27 House Martin NE, 20 Redpoll east, 8 Goldfinch east, 1 Whimbrel east and 1 Pink-footed Goose east. 

Grounded Migrants

13 Wheatear,1 Sedge Warbler and 1 Whitethroat. 

Others 

19 Ringed Plover, 75 Sanderling, 58 Dunlin, 16 Turnstone, 2 Black-tailed Godwit and 1 Whimbrel.
Over the pools this evening in the rain were 35 Swift, 250 Swallow, 60 House Martin and 15  Sand Martin. Also close by were 2 singing Grasshopper Warblers.

 Swallows and House Martin

Sand Martin

 

Thursday, 17th May 2012

With a southeasterly wind and drizzle at dawn, a few grounded migrants were expected, and these were pleasingly realised in the species ringed and grounded birds found.

Ringing
2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Spotted Flycatcher (new species ringed for the obs), 1 Dunnock, 2 Wren, 1 Blackbird and 1 Chaffinch.

 Spotted Flycatcher. First ringing record for the obs.

Willow Warbler

Grounded Migrants 

At least 30 Sedge Warblers around today, with 10 of them new in, 4 new Reed Warblers, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Blackcap, 6  Whitethroat and 14 Wheatear.

 Sedge Warbler

Offshore

1 Red throated Diver east, 1 Guillemot, 5 Gannet, 2 Sandwich Tern, 9 Common Scoter and 300 Knot west. 

Visible Migration

9 Whimbrel came from west, landed on beach briefly then left high to the northeast. After the drizzle stopped at 1050; 216 Swallow NE, 9 Sand Martin NE, 31 House Martin NE, 6 Redpoll east and 2 late Siskins east.

Whimbrels on the shore

Others

42 Ringed Plover, 41 Turnstone, 58 Sanderling, 85 Dunlin and 1 Little ringed Plover. Over the pools 20 Swift, 20 House Martin and 3 Sand Martin.

 

Wednesday, 16th May 2012

Offshore
12 Gannet east, 13 Kittiwake east , 4 (2 light & 2 dark morphs) Arctic Skua east, 1 Great Skua - flew into bay and landed on sea, 2 Common Tern east , 11 Common Scoter east, 2 Razorbill, 10 Guillemot and 23Auk sp.

 

Visible Migration

15 Goldfinch east, 1 Linnet east, 12 Redpoll east, 92 Swallow NE, 10 House Martin NE and 1 Sand Martin NE.

 

Grounded Migrants

A rain front came in about 4.30 a.m. from the Irish Sea and as it became light it was obvious that a few migrants had been grounded; these included 5 Whitethroat, 21 Wheatear, 2 Whinchat, 3 Spotted  Flycatcher, 1 Chiffchaff and 2 Garden Warbler.

 

 Not always easy to photograph; one of the three Spotted Flycatchers at 

the obs today

 

Others 

48 Ringed Plover, 160 Dunlin and 200 Sanderling . Over the pools were 12 Swift and 25 House Martin. There were a number of Orange Tip butterflies on the wing today, including the male pictured below. 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, 15th May 2012

Offshore
22 Gannet west, 20 Kittiwake east, 15 Common Scoter east, 8 Manx Shearwater west, 1 dark morph Arctic Skua east, 8 Auk sp., 1 Guillemot and 1 Red - breasted Merganser.

Visible Migration
36 Swallow NE, 31 House Martin NE, 2 Sand Martin NE, 23 Goldfinch east, 2 Linnet east and 5 Redpoll east.

 

Grounded Migrants

17 Wheatear and 1 Whinchat.

 

Other

240 Sanderling, 27 Turnstone, 29 Ringed Plover and 90 Dunlin.

 

Dunlin

  

 

Monday, 14th May 2012

Offshore
54 Gannets west, 7 Manx Shearwaters west, 6 Fulmars east, 14 Kittiwakes west, Guillemot, 2 Auk sp., Red-throated Diver east, 7 Common Scoter,  Great Skua west and 45 Grey Plovers west.

Ian had a second look on the sea this evening and had a further 9 Gannets west, 8 Manx Shearwaters east , 2 Auk sp. and 14 Common Scoters east.

Visible Migration
111 Swallows NNE, 21 House Martin NNE, 3 Sand Martin NNE, 25 Goldfinch east, 4 Linnets east, 3 Redpoll east and 4 Whimbrel east.

Grounded Migrants
37 Wheatear.

Other
165 Dunlin, 215 Sanderling, 46 Turnstones, 32 Whimbrel and 47 Ringed Plover. Over the pools were 60 Swift, 200 Swallows,  75 House Martin and 20 Sand Martin.      

Sunday, 13th May 2012

Offshore

55 Gannet west, 1 Fulmar west, 40 Manx Shearwater west, 1 Great Skua east, 1 dark morph Arctic Skua east along shore, 35 Kittiwakes west, 13 Auk sp., 5 Guillemot, 2 Arctic Terns east, 37 Common Scoters, 3 Red-throated Divers east and 1st summer Great Northern Diver on sea before taking off and flying west.

Dark morph Arctic Skua 

A second sea watch this evening by Ian produced a further Common Scoter, 11 Gannets, 4 Sandwich Terns, 21 Manx Shearwaters, Kittiwake, 2 (light & dark morph) Arctic Skuas east and an Auk sp.

Visible Migration

45 Redpoll east including 1 group of 18, 28 Goldfinch east, 5 Linnets east, 1 Tree Pipit NE, 1 Meadow Pipit NE, 1 Alba Wagtail NE, 105 Swallows NE and 16 House Martins NE. 


Grounded Migrants

27 Wheatears, 1 Whinchat, 3 Whitethroats, 2 Garden Warblers, 1 Spotted Flycatcher and 2 Sedge Warblers. 


Ringing

1 Sedge Warbler and 1 Blackbird.

 

Other

1 Black tailed Godwit, 3 Grey Plovers, 73 Turnstones, 59 Ringed Plovers, 77 Sanderlings and 180 Dunlin. Feeding over the pools were 75 Swift, 85 House Martins, 14 Sand Martins and 120 Swallows.

  

 

Saturday, 12th May 2012

Ringing
1 Blackcap, 1 Sedge Warbler and 1 Blackbird.

Offshore
20 Gannet, 10 Guillemot, 2 Razorbill, 5 Auk sp.,  4 Arctic Skua ( 3 dark & 1 light morph) east,1 light morph Pomarine Skua east at 07:32 , 53 Arctic Terns east, 136 Kittiwakes east,  7 Sandwich Tern, 2 Red throated Diver east, 54 Common Scoter and 2 Manx Shearwater.

A further watch in the evening produced 8 Gannet, 2 Auk sp., 102 Kittiwakes east, 3 Arctic Skuas east, 2 Common Terns, 27 Sandwich Terns, 13 Common Scoters and 4 Whimbrel east.

Visible Migration

9 Redpoll east, 91 Goldfinch east, 8 Linnets east  89 Swallows NE, 1 House Martin NE,1 Tree Pipit NE, 2 Whimbrel east and 1 Alba Wagtail.

Grounded Migrants

3 Whitethroats, 2 Sedge Warblers, 21 Wheatears and 2 Whinchats.

Others

60 Swift over pools mid morning for 30 mins before departing, 350 Dunlin, 88 Ringed Plover, 2 Black-tailed Godwits and 5 Whimbrel.

 Dunlins, Ringed Plovers and Turnstones

Action shot of Swifts; note all the insects

 

Friday, 11th May 2012

Offshore
2 Red-throated Diver 2 east, 62 Gannet west, 9 Guillemot, 10 Manx Shearwater east, 14  Auk sp., 47 Kittiwake east, 22 Common Scoter, 5 Common Tern east, 1 Fulmar east, 10 Sandwich Tern, 1Great Skua east and 1 dark morph Arctic Skua east.

A further look offshore this evening gave 9 Gannet, 37 Manx Shearwater, 1 dark morph Arctic Skua, 16 Sandwich Tern, 4 Common Scoter and an Auk sp.

Grounded Migrants
5 Wheatear.

Visible Migration

52 Goldfinch east, 12 Swallows NE, 1 Sand Martin NE, 5 Linnets east, 1 Whimbrel east and 1 Meadow Pipit NE.

 Turnstone

   

Thursday, 10th May 2012

Grounded Migrants
29 Wheatears, 3 Whinchats and 1 Yellow Wagtail.

During rain 150 Swallows, 60 House Martins, 8 Sand Martins and 10 Swifts.

Visible Migrants
After rain stopped p.m. 21 Swallows, 2 House Martins, 1 Sand Martin and 4 Swifts.  

Offshore
16 Gannets and 8 Sandwich Terns.

Ringing
First pulli of the year in the form of 7 Great Tits. 

Wednesday, 9th May 2012

Offshore
7 Gannets, 8 Red-throated Divers, 83 Common Scoters, 18 Sandwich Terns and Auk sp.

Visible Migration
58 Goldfinch, 17 Linnets, 5 Tree Pipits, 6 Alba Wags, 26 Redpoll, 4 Meadow Pipits, 2 Yellow Wagtails, Corn Bunting east at 0708, Siskin, 11 Swift, 51 Sand Martins, 75 House Martins, 2032 Swallows and Hobby came from south during heavy passage of hirundines, circled around for 10 minutes and headed off east. 

Grounded
3 Wheatears, 3 Lesser Whitethroats and Garden Warbler.

Others
600 Dunlin, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 107 Ringed Plover and 72 Turnstone.     

Tuesday, 8th May 2012

Offshore
23 Gannets, 82 Common Scoters, 4 Arctic Terns and 6 Red-throated Divers.

Visible Migration
6 Tree Pipits, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 12 Redpoll, 7 Linnets, 28 Goldfinch, 6 Alba Wagtails, 7 Meadow Pipits, 29 Sand Martins, 8 House Martins and 578 Swallows.

Grounded
5 Whitethroats, 4 Willow Warblers, 3 Whinchats, 18 Wheatears, 7 Sedge Warblers, Garden Warbler and 2 Reed Warblers.  

During afternoon light rain 60 House Martins, 2 Swifts and 2 Common Sandpipers.

Monday, 7th May 2012

Offshore
19 Common Scoters, 6 Gannets, 2 Red-throated Divers, 87 Arctic Terns, 4 Guillemots, 2 Razorbill, 14 Manx Shearwaters, 33 all first summer Little Gulls east, 2 Auk sp. and 2000 Knot west.

Visible Migration
143 Swallows, 9 House Martins, 8 Sand Martins, Swift, 29 Redpoll, 8 Tree Pipit, 16 Goldfinch, 5 Linnets, 5 Meadow Pipits, 7 Alba Wagtails, 2 Yellow Wagtails, Short-eared Owl east and 3 Whimbrel.

Grounded
17 Wheatears, 6 Whinchats, 10 Whitethroats, 6 Sedge Warblers, 15 Reed Warblers, 2 Willow Warblers and Blackcap.

After rain showers p.m. 4 Common Sandpipers, 10 Swift, 40 House Martins, 30 Sand Martins and 150 Swallows.

Sunday, 6th May 2012

Ringing
Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroats, Lesser Redpoll, 2CY female Common Redpoll, 3 Sedge Warblers, Chaffinch, 2 Reed Bunting, Goldfinch, Great Tit and 2 Reed Warblers.

Visible Migration
2 Tree Pipits, 11 Redpoll, Siskin, Whimbrel, 21 Swallows and Osprey circling overhead at 1215 before heading off north.

Osprey over the obs before heading north

Offshore
36 Arctic Terns, 14 Sandwich Terns, 10 Gannets, 6 Red-breasted Mergansers, light morph Artcic Skua east, Kittiwake, 35 Common Scoters and 2 Red-throated Divers east.

Grounded
21 Wheatears, 10 Whinchats, 6 Whitethroats, 6 Willow Warblers, 2 Blackcap, Garden Warbler, 5 Sedge Warblers and 3 Reed Warblers.   

Saturday, 5th May 2012

Offshore
175 Arctic Terns east, 15 Eiders, 3 Shelduck northeast, 53 Gannets, 10 Auk sp., 18 Red-throated Divers east, 2 Arctic Skuas east (light and dark), 3 Manx Shearwaters, Razorbill, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 15 Common Scoters, Little Tern north and 55 Sandwich Terns.

Visible Migration
118 Linnets east, 554 Goldfinch east, 30 Swallows, Tree Pipit, 13 Redpoll,  3 Yellow Wagtails, Grey Wagtail, 17 Pink-footed Gese, 4 Woodpigeon, 3 Swift, 6 Meadow Pipit, 5 Tree Pipits, 3 Sand Martins, 9 Siskins, 8 Alba Wagtails and 17 Whimbrel east.

Grounded
11 Wheatear, 10 Reed Warblers, 9 Sedge Warblers, 2 Willow Warblers, Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat and 3 Whitethroats .

Other Birds
400 Dunlin and 11 Whimbrel.

Friday, 4th May 2012

Offshore
12 Red-throated Divers east, 5 Manx Shearwaters, 8 Gannets, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 83 Arctic Terns east, Kittiwake, 5 Razorbill and sum. plum. Black-throated Diver on sea at 0735.

Evening seawatch included 18 Arctic Terns east, 2 Razorbill, 2 dark morph Arctic Skuas east, 62 Sandwich Terns, Whimbrel east, 2 Swift northeast and a female Merlin east.

Visible Migration
Yellow Wagtail, 23 Redpoll, 58 Goldfinch, 3 Alba Wags, 9 Tree Pipits, 2 Barnacle Geese east, 64 Swallows, Whimbrel east, 12 Linnets, 3 Siskins, Swift and female Merlin in-off.

Grounded Migrants
19 Whitethroats, 8 Wheatear, 10 Willow Warbler, 5 Blackcap, Spotted Flycatcher (1st for spring), 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 5 Sedge Warblers and 2 Grasshopper Warblers.     

Thursday, 3rd May 2012

Grounded Migrants
13 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap,  3 Whinchat, singing Wood Warbler, 33 Wheatears, Common Sandpiper,  2 Sedge Warbler, 3 Whitethroat and singing Lesser Whitethroat.

Visible Migration
Tree Sparrow, 58 Linnet, 9 Sisikin, 7 Sand Martin, 368 Goldfinch, 39 Redpoll, 7 White Wagtail, 9 Tree Pipit, 7 Alba Wag, 7 Meadow Pipit, 19 House Martin, 5 Swift, 3 Yellow Wagtails and 666 Swallows.

Offshore
A check over the sea produced 2 dark bellied Brent Geese, 4 Little Gull, 3 Arctic Skuas, 16 Cormorants, 13 Gannets, 5 Whimbrel, 13 Sandwich Terns, 4 Auk sp., 202 Arctic Terns, 5 Eiders, 6 Common Scoters, 9 Red-throated Divers, 2 Teal, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Common Terns, 8 Kittiwakes and 23 Manx Shearwaters.  

Evening seawatch included 68 Sandwich Terns east, 34 Arctic Terns east, 16 Gannets, 1 dark morph Arctic Skua east, 1 light morph adult Pomarine Skua east at 1910, 232 Common Scoters east and Razorbill.