Friday, 27th September 2013

Offshore 

7 Shelducks east, 4 Wigeons west, 8 Teal east, 22 Common Scoters west, 2 Red-throated Divers west, 6 Sandwich Terns, 1 Razorbill east and 6 Auk sp.

Visible Migration 

141 Pink-footed Geese south, 1 juv Marsh Harrier 'in-off' early afternoon, 6 Carrion Crows south, 4 Skylarks south, 30 Swallows south, 1 Yellow Wagtail east, 4 Grey Wagtails south, 11 Alba Wagtails south, 135 Meadow Pipits south/south-east, 1 Rock Pipit south-west, 2 Chaffinch south, 8 Goldfinch east, 5 Siskins east and 3 Reed Buntings east.

 

 Meadow Pipit

Grounded Migrants 

1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 5 Wheatears.

 

 Wheatear

Others 

1 Water Rail, 1 Peregrine, 60 Ringed Plovers, 140 Sanderlings, 78 Dunlins, 12 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull and 3 Med. Gulls.

 

 Comma

Thursday, 26th September 2013

After yesterdays haul of grounded migrants it was a day of superb visible migration. Birds were on the move throughout the day and an Osprey sat on the beach for over an hour was an added bonus.

 Knot

Offshore 

71 Wigeon west & 16 east, 1 Teal, 18 Pintails west, 89 Common Scoters west, 1 Red-breasted Merganser west, 6 Red-throated Divers west, 12 Sandwich Terns and 1 Guillemot west.

Visible Migration 

1,225 Pink-footed Geese south, 2 Grey Herons east, 1 Sparrowhawk south, 1 Merlin south, 9 Golden Plovers south, 6 Snipe east, 6 Black-tailed Godwits east, 14 Skylarks south, 1 Sand Martin south, 621 Swallows south, 7 House Martins south, 6 Grey Wagtails south, 73 Alba Wagtails south/south-east, 2,526 Meadow Pipits south/south-east, 13 Chaffinch south/south-east, 5 Goldfinch east, 8 Linnets south and 2 Reed Buntings south.

 Pink-footed Geese

Grounded Migrants

1 Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 4 Robins, 11 Wheatears, 26 Pied Wagtails and 1 Reed Bunting.

 Robin

Others

1 Osprey - sat on the beach by Kings Scar eating a fish for an hour at midday, 2 Peregrines, 71 Ringed  Plovers, 155 Sanderlings, 215 Dunlins, 235 Turnstones and 1 Med. Gull.

Ringing 

9 Long-tailed Tits,3 Blue Tits and 2 Great Tits.

 Red Admiral

Wednesday, 25th September 2013

The south-easterly winds and murky conditions produced an arrival of migrants today, the undoubted highlight being the Observatory`s first ever record of Golden Oriole. Ian and Seumus were birding in the cemetery when a Spotted Flycatcher flew out of some Sycamores, they moved a little to their right to get better views when a sudden flash of green and yellow flew out, and "Golden f*****g Oriole" was shouted out! The bird flew in front of them and landed in another patch of Sycamores in a garden adjacent to the cemetery and quickly disappeared.

 

With the finding of the Oriole the thinking was something else could be around so the peninsular was given a good thrashing but nothing else turned up. A nice selection of common migrants were observed though, making it an enjoyable day.

Offshore

7 Wigeon east, 7 Eiders, 33 Common Scoters west and 6 Sandwich Terns.

Visible Migration 

105 Pink-footed Geese south, 5 Snipe east, 1 Whimbrel west, 3 Skylarks south, 23 Swallows south, 1 Dunnock south, 10 Grey Wagtails south, 33 Alba Wagtails south, 553 Meadow Pipits south, 1 Rock Pipit south-west, 8 Chaffinch south and 5 Reed Buntings south.

Grounded Migrants

1 female/immature Golden Oriole, 5 Goldcrests, 10 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler, 6 Blackcaps, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Song Thrushes, 1 Redwing, 4 Spotted Flycatchers, 15 Robins, 1 Redstart, 1 Whinchat, 1 Stonechat, 10 Wheatears, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Yellow Wagtail and 13 Pied Wagtails.

 

 Stonechat

 

 Wheatear

Others:

68 Ringed Plovers, 170 Sanderlings, 350 Dunlins, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 300 Turnstones and 1 Med. Gull.

Ringing

1 Wren, 1 Robin, 1 Dunnock and 2 Chaffinch.

 

 Knot

Tuesday, 24th September 2013

Offshore

3 Shelducks east, 9 Common Scoters west, 1 Great Crested Grebe west and 6 Sandwich Terns.

Visible Migration 

28 Pink-footed Geese south, 2 Kestrels south, 9 Snipe south, 7 Skylarks south, 45 Swallows south, 11 Grey Wagtails south, 30 Alba Wagtails south, 1 Rock Pipit south-west, 519 Meadow Pipits south, 15 Chaffinch south and 8 Linnets south.

 

 Kestrel

Grounded Migrants 

2 Goldcrests, 8 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Garden Warbler, 4 Song Thrushes, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 10 Robins, 6 Wheatears and 31 Pied Wagtails - single flock on the Bowling Greens.

Others 

1,500 Pink-footed Geese, 32 Wigeon, 76 Ringed Plovers, 185 Sanderlings, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 380 Dunlins, 11 Black-tailed Godwits, 240 Turnstones, 5 Med. Gulls, 1 Barn Owl and 1 Tawny Owl - in trees by the old railway line at dusk; the first record this year.

Ringing

1 Robin, 1 Dunnock and 4 Chaffinch.

 

 Chaffinch

Monday, 23rd September 2013

Offshore

9 Eiders, 15 Common Scoters west, 1 Red-throated Diver west and 7 Sandwich Terns.

Visible Migration

58 Pink-footed Geese south, 1 Snipe south, 1 Spotted Redshank west, 10 Swallows south, 4 Grey Wagtails south, 28 Alba Wagtails south and 363 Meadow Pipits south.

Grounded Migrants

1 Goldcrest, 6 Chiffchaffs, 4 Blackcaps, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 15 Robins, 1 Whinchat, 8 Wheatears, 2 Dunnocks and 6 Pied Wagtails.

Others 

83 Ringed Plovers, 225 Sanderlings, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 175 Dunlins, 185 Turnstones, 1 Med. Gull and 1 Barn Owl.

 

 Purple Sandpiper

Sanderlings

Ringing

1 Blackbird and 3 Robins.

 

 Robin

Sunday, 22nd September 2013

Offshore

6 Shelducks east, 7 Eiders, 8 Common Scoters west, 3 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Great Crested Grebe west, 53 Sandwich Terns and 2 Auk sp. west.

 

 Red-throated Diver

Visible Migration

16 Pink-footed Geese south, 9 Skylarks south, 20 Swallows south, 6 Grey Wagtails south, 14 Alba Wagtails south, 136 Meadow Pipits south, 9 Linnets south, 1 Siskin south and 1 Reed Bunting south.

Grounded Migrants 

2 Goldcrests, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Blackcap, 13 Blackbirds, 6 Robins, 1 Stonechat and 1 Wheatear.

 

 Stonechat

Others

6 Wigeon, 1 Gadwall, 91 Ringed Plovers, 6 Knots, 230 Sanderlings, 1 Little Stint, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 360 Dunlins, 6 Snipe and 280 Turnstones.

 

 Little Stint & Ringed Plovers

Ringing

1 Blackbird and 1 Robin.

Blackbird

Comma

Saturday, 21st September 2013

Offshore

31 Shelducks east, 1 Wigeon west, 7 Teal east, 11 Pintails east, 16 Common Scoters west, 3 Red-throated Divers west, 2 Arctic Skuas west, 56 Sandwich Terns west & 54 south and 1 Guillemot. Also 2 Atlantic Grey Seals.

 

A dead juvenile Puffin picked up at the point was presumably the exhausted bird seen on Monday.

Puffin

Visible Migration 

49 Pink-footed Geese south, 8 Snipe south, 4 Skylarks south, 98 Swallows south, 5 House Martins south, 6 Grey Wagtails south, 30 Alba Wagtails south, 310 Meadow Pipits south, 1 Rock Pipit south-west, 5 Linnets south and 2 Reed Buntings south.

Grounded Migrants:

3 Goldcrests, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Wheatear and 27 Pied Wagtails.

Others

500 Pink-footed Geese, 17 Wigeons, 11 Teal, 68 Ringed Plovers, 220 Sanderlings, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 75 Dunlins, 12 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 300 Turnstones and 4 Med. Gulls.

 

 Kestrel

Friday, 20th September 2013

Offshore 

9 Teal east, 7 Eiders, 117 Common Scoters west, 7 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Kittiwake west, 13 Sandwich Terns west and 1 Guillemot.

Visible Migration 

79 Pink-footed Geese south, 2 Snipe east, 3 Black-tailed Godwits west, 2 Skylarks south, 8 Swallows  south, 8 Grey Wagtails south, 26 Alba Wagtails south, 153 Meadow Pipits south, 4 Goldfinch east and 2 Siskins east.

 

 Alba Wagtails

Grounded Migrants 

6 Goldcrests, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 7 Robins, 2 Wheatears, 3 Grey Wagtails and 1 Rock Pipit.

Others:

1 Little Egret, 47 Ringed Plovers, 200 Sanderlings, 48 Dunlins, 11 Black-tailed Godwits, 180 Turnstones, 1 Med. Gull and 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull.

 

 Turnstone

Thursday, 19th September 2013

Offshore:

4 Common Scoters west, 1 Red-breasted Merganser west, 1 Fulmar west, 3 Manx Shearwaters west, 4 Gannets west, 4 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Great Crested Grebe west, 27 Kittiwakes west, 51 Sandwich 

Terns west, 2 Arctic Terns west and 1 Guillemot west.

Visible Migration

6 Swallows south, 1 Grey Wagtail south, 2 Alba Wagtails south and 15 Meadow Pipits south.

Grounded Migrants 

2 Goldcrests, 1 Wheatear and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Others

1 Pintail, 53 Ringed Plovers, 260 Sanderlings, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 65 Dunlins, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 180 Turnstones, 1 Med. Gull and 100 Goldfinch.

 

 Sanderling

 

 Turnstone

Wednesday, 18th September 2013

Offshore

16 Common Scoters west, 1 Gannet west, 2 Red-throated Divers west, 9 Kittiwakes west, 29 Sandwich Terns west, 1 Arctic Tern west, 1 Guillemot west and 2 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration:

8 Swallows south, 6 Alba Wagtails south and 28 Meadow Pipits south.

Grounded Migrants

2 Goldcrests, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler and 3 Wheatears.

Others 

1 dark-bellied Brent Goose, 9 Teal, 65 Ringed Plovers, 270 Sanderlings, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 70 Dunlins, 21 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Whimbrel and 1 Med. Gull.

 

 Sanderling

Tuesday, 17th September 2013

Another day of sea-watching but it was even quieter than Monday, The wind was more westerly today but not really strong enough to blow much into the Bay. Four Leach`s Petrels went out past the scar in the first 30 mins of light and two more came across the bay during the morning.

 

 Leach's Storm-petrel

Offshore

3 Shelducks east, 16 Common Scoters west, 2 Manx Shearwaters west & 1 east, 6 Leach`s Petrels west, 3 Gannets west, 4 Red-throated Divers west, 8 Kittiwakes west, 30 Sandwich Terns west, 1 Arctic Tern west, 2 Common Terns west, 1 Guillemot west and 1 Auk sp. west.

 

 Leach's Storm-petrel

Visible Migration:

70 Pink-footed Geese south and 2 Meadow Pipits south.

Grounded Migrants

1 Wheatear and 1 Chiffchaff.

Others 

32 Wigeons, 54 Ringed Plovers, 85 Sanderlings, 17 Dunlins, 1 Little Stint, 6 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1 Med. Gull and 1 Kingfisher.

 

 Sanderling

 

 Bar-tailed Godwits

Monday, 16th September 2013

Unfortunately today`s strong winds were from the wrong direction with too much northerly for here.We did get a few Leach`s Petrels but it was hard going with little else moving. However, the strong winds did bring in one rare bird for the Obs, when a juvenile Puffin was found mid afternoon on the sea off the Scar.

Leach's Storm-petrel

Offshore:

15 Common Scoters west, 1 Fulmar west, 3 Manx Shearwaters east, 8 Gannets west, 4 Leach`s Petrels west, 3 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Great Crested Grebe west, 1 Great Skua west, 63 Kittiwakes west, 158 Sandwich Terns west, 21 Common Terns west and 1 juvenile Puffin. It was on the sea looking exhausted and being harassed by Herring Gulls mid afternoon.

 

 Leach's Storm-petrel

Visible Migration

4 Pink-footed Geese south and 3 Swallows south.

Grounded Migrants 

2 Wheatears.

Others:

33 Wigeons, 2 Pintails, 14 Grey Plovers, 7 Bar-tailed Godwits and 2 Med. Gulls.

 

 Bar-tailed Godwits

Sunday, 15th September 2013

Offshore

2 Shelducks east, 1 Wigeon west, 39 Common Scoters west, 3 Manx Shearwaters west, 12 Gannets west, 2 Arctic Skuas west, 24 Kittiwakes west and 52 Sandwich Terns west.

Further observation during the evening produced 1 Fulmar west, 4 Manx Shearwaters west, 5 Gannets west, 18 Kittiwakes west, 2 Little Gulls west, 26 Sandwich Terns west and 2 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration

135 Swallows south despite the blustery SSW wind and rain showers.

 

 Whinchat

Grounded Migrants 

1 Sand Martin, 50 Swallows, 35 House Martins over the pools in the afternoon rain and 1 Wheatear.

 

 Sparrowhawk

Others

38 Wigeon, 5 Teal, 275 Lapwings, 18 Golden Plovers, 3 Black-tailed Godwits and 9 Bar-tailed Godwits.

 

 Speckled Wood

Saturday, 14th September 2013

A decent 'vis' morning started about 9 am with the wind easing and the sun coming out, this produced the biggest Meadow Pipit count so far this Autumn with an early Rock Pipit.

Offshore 

2 Eiders, 98 Common Scoters west, 1 Red-breasted Merganser west, 3 Red-throated Divers west; 1 east & 1 on the sea, 1 Kittiwake east, 47 Sandwich Terns and 1 Auk sp. west.

 

 Common Scoter

Visible Migration:

2 Buzzards south, 2 Ravens south, 147 Swallows south, 10 House Martins south, 15 Grey Wagtails south, 18 Alba Wagtails south, 2 Skylarks south, 449 Meadow Pipits south and 1 Rock Pipit south-west.

 

 Carrion Crow

Grounded Migrants 

5 Goldcrests, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Song Thrush, 14 Robins, 3 Dunnocks and 23 Wheatears.

 

Wheatear

Others:

1 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine, 11 Wigeon, 3 Teal, 1 Pintail, 64 Ringed Plovers, 38 Golden Plovers, 200 Sanderlings, 55 Dunlins, 13 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Greenshank, 270 Turnstones, 1 Med. Gull and 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull.

 

 Wigeon

Ringing

2 Robins and 2 Meadow Pipits.

 

 Meadow Pipit

Friday, 13th September 2013

Offshore

71 Common Scoters west, 5 Eiders, 2 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Gannet west, 2 Kittiwakes west, 5 Sandwich Terns and 1 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration 

13 Swallows south, 4 Grey Wagtails south, 2 Alba Wagtails south and 20 Meadow Pipits south.

 

 Pied Wagtail

Grounded Migrants

1 Chiffchaff and 6 Wheatears.

Others 

1 dark-bellied Brent Goose, 15 Wigeon, 2 Teal, 63 Ringed Plovers, 150 Golden Plovers, 157 Sanderlings, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 52 Dunlins, 8 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1 Spotted Redshank and 330 Turnstones.

 

 Dunlin

 

 Wigeon

Thursday, 12th September 2013

Offshore

5 Shelducks east, 43 Common Scoters west, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 17 Sandwich Terns.

Visible Migration:

2 Golden Plovers 'in-off', 1 Snipe east, 1 Green Sandpiper west, 2 Skylarks south, 410 Swallows south, 12 House Martins south, 7 Grey Wagtails south, 18 Alba Wagtails south, 83 Meadow Pipits south and 1 Chaffinch south.

Grounded Migrants 

2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Whitethroats, 3 Reed Warblers, 2 Song Thrushes, 3 Robins, 2 Dunnocks - 'agitated' birds in the dunes, 1 Whinchat and 11 Wheatears.

 

 Dunnock

Others 

1 Peregrine, 51 Ringed Plovers, 53 Sanderlings, 65 Dunlins, 12 Snipe, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits, 180 Turnstones and 1 Med. Gull.

 

 Ringed Plover

Ringing 

2 Reed Warblers and 2 Wrens.

 

 Reed Warbler

Wednesday, 11th September 2013

Offshore 

90 Common Scoters west, 1 Gannet west, 1 Great Crested Grebe west, 1 Arctic Skua west and 3 Sandwich Terns west.

Visible Migration:

28 Swallows south, 25 Meadow Pipits south, 8 Grey Wagtails south and 7 Alba Wagtails south.

Grounded Migrants

1 Sand Martin and 60 House Martins over the pools during rain in the afternoon, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Wheatears.

Others

11 Wigeons, 4 Teal, 300 Lapwings, 7 Golden Plovers, 17 Snipe, 10 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Common Sandpiper and 1 Med. Gull.

Ringing 

2 Blue Tits.

 

 Little Grebe

Tuesday, 10th September 2013

Offshore 

3 Shelducks east, 66 Common Scoters west, 3 Gannets west, 2 Kittiwakes west and 4 Sandwich Terns west.

Visible Migration 

3 Golden Plovers 'in-off, 7 Swallows south, 21 Meadow Pipits south and 3 Alba Wagtails south.

Grounded Migrants

1 Willow Warbler, 2 Robins and 3 Wheatears.

Others

1 Little Egret, 62 Ringed Plovers, 160 Sanderlings, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 90 Dunlins, 8 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Greenshank, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull and 60 Goldfinch.

 

 Sanderling

Ringing

2 Robins.

 

 Curlew