Sunday, 27th September 2015

A superb migration day with a big push of birds moving south. There was another large movement of  Pink-footed Geese with 6,694 counted, plus decent Swallow & Meadow Pipit totals. A juv. Hobby flew east over the promenade at midday and another early afternoon watch from the highest point at the obs produced more raptors - a single Marsh Harrier and 2 Buzzards, plus 4 Ravens.

Pink-footed Geese

 

 Marsh Harrier

Offshore

11 Wigeons west, 12 Common Scoters west, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers west, 3 Red-throated Divers west and 4 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration 

6,694 Pink-footed Geese south, 1 Grey Heron east, 1 Marsh Harrier south, 2 Buzzards south, 1 Hobby east at midday, 3 Snipe south, 1 Collared Dove south, 5 Jackdaws south, 37 Carrion Crows south, 4 Ravens south, 24 Skylarks south,1 Sand Martin south, 395 Swallows south, 11 House Martins south, 6 Grey Wagtails south, 47 Alba Wagtails south, 588 Meadow Pipits south, 11 Chaffinch south, 12 Greenfinch south, 12 Goldfinch south, 16 Siskins south, 27 Linnets south and 3 Reed Buntings south.

 

 Buzzard

 

 Raven

Grounded Migrants

7 Goldcrests, 8 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Whitethroat and 4 Wheatears.

Others

84 Wigeons, 22 Teal, 2 Pintails, 3 Shovelers, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Peregrine, 1 Water Rail, 57 Ringed Plovers, 700 Lapwings, 250 Sanderlings, 55 Dunlins, 2 Snipe, 215 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Med. Gulls, 4 Stock Doves, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 80 Linnets.

Ringing

1 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Blackbird, 1 Wren, 2 Robins, 2 Dunnocks, 8 Meadow Pipits and 1 Greenfinch.

 

 Dunnock

 

 Greenfinch

 

 Whitethroat

Saturday, 26th September 2015

The first big Autumn movement of Pink-footed Geese occurred today with 2,828 counted flying south. A few hours watching from the obs highest point in the early afternoon produced six Buzzards and a single Sparrowhawk moving through.

Pink-footed Geese

Offshore

17 Common Scoters west, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers west, 4 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Gannet west, 1 Great Crested Grebe west, 1 Little Gull west, 2 Sandwich Terns west and 2 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration

2,828 Pink-footed Geese south, 1 Grey Heron east, 1 Sparrowhawk south, 6 Buzzards south, 10 Carrion Crows south, 16 Skylarks south, 40 Swallows south, 3 House Martins south, 6 Grey Wagtails south, 38 Alba Wagtails south, 288 Meadow Pipits south, 16 Chaffinch south, 47 Greenfinch south, 10 Goldfinch south, 10 Siskins south, 82 Linnets south, 1 Redpoll south and 3 Reed Buntings south.

Grounded Migrants 

10 Goldcrests, 2 Chiffchaffs, 4 Blackcaps, 3 Robins, 1 Stonechat, 5 Wheatears and 1 Song Thrush.

Wheatear

Others

47 Wigeons, 70 Teal, 1 Pintail, 3 Shovelers, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Water Rails, 62 Ringed Plovers, 75 Golden Plovers, 600 Lapwings, 280 Sanderlings, 70 Dunlins, 165 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Common Sandpiper, 110 Turnstones, 3 Med. Gulls and 1 Cetti's Warbler.

 Sparrowhawk

Ringing

1 Goldcrest, 3 Blackcaps, 4 Wrens, 4 Robins, 15 Meadow Pipits, 18 Greenfinches, 4 Chaffinch and 5 Reed Bunting.

 Meadow Pipit

 Blackcap

Friday, 25th September 2015

Offshore

17 Common Scoters west, 7 Red-throated Divers west, 5 Gannets west, 2 Great Crested Grebes west & 1 east, 4 Kittiwakes west, 1 Black Tern west, 2 Sandwich Terns west, 2 Guillemots west and 14 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration 

95 Pink-footed Geese south, 6 Swallows south, 1 Grey Wagtail south, 3 Alba Wagtails south and 26 Meadow Pipits south.

Grounded Migrants 

3 Goldcrests, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Stonechat and 7 Wheatears.

 

 Stonechat

Others 

74 Wigeons, 75 Teal, 1 Garganey, 4 Little Egrets, 1 Peregrine, 53 Ringed Plovers, 700 Lapwings, 230 Sanderlings, 65 Dunlins, 122 Redshanks, 290 Black-tailed Godwits, 160 Turnstones, 1 Med. Gull and 1 Kingfisher.

 

 Wren

Thursday, 24th September 2015

Offshore

2 Wigeons west, 46 Common Scoters west, 1 Fulmar west, 2 Manx Shearwaters west, 12 Gannets west, 8 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Black-throated Diver - a summer plumaged adult flew west, 2 Great Crested Grebes west, 11 Kittiwakes west, 4 Sandwich Terns west, 1 Common Tern west, 1 Guillemot west and 12 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration

2 Grey Wagtails south.

Grounded Migrants 

2  Goldcrests, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Wheatear and 12 Pied Wagtails.

Others

73 Wigeons, 120 Teal, 2 Little Egrets, 67 Ringed Plovers, 11 Golden Plovers, 39 Grey Plovers, 380 Lapwings, 68 Knot, 200 Sanderlings, 160 Dunlins, 140 Black-tailed Godwits and 1 Med. Gull.

 

 Black-tailed Godwits

Sanderling

Wednesday, 23rd September 2015

Offshore

17 Common Scoters west, 3 Red-throated Divers west, 6 Gannets west, 2 Kittiwakes west, 3 Sandwich Terns west, 1 Guillemot west and 7 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration

3 Swallows south, 2 Grey Wagtails south, 10 Alba Wagtails south and 55 Meadow Pipits south.

Grounded Migrants 

13 Goldcrests, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Reed Warbler and 2 Wheatears.

Others

73 Wigeons, 120 Teal, 8 Little Egrets, 54 Ringed Plovers, 52 Golden Plovers, 600 Lapwings, 180 Sanderlings, 1 Little Stint, 75 Dunlins, 350 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Med. Gull and 45 Goldfinch.

 

 Little Egret

Ringing

1 Reed Warbler, 1 Wren, 1 Blackbird and 1 Reed Bunting.

 

 Reed Warbler

Tuesday, 22nd September 2015

Offshore

18 Common Scoters west, 2 Gannets west and 6 Sandwich Terns.

Visible Migration

2 Carrion Crows south, 5 Skylarks south, 9 Swallows south, 7 Grey Wagtails south, 36 Alba Wagtails south, 308 Meadow Pipits south, 13 Chaffinch south, 3 Greenfinch south, 18 Goldfinch south, 11 Linnets south, 1 Redpoll south and 3 Reed Buntings south.

Grounded Migrants

6 Goldcrests, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Robins, 8 Wheatears  and 7 Dunnocks.

 

 Dunnocks

Others

80 Wigeons, 150 Teal, 2 Pintails, 1 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine, 72 Ringed Plovers, 54 Golden Plovers, 155 Sanderlings, 170 Dunlins, 250 Black-tailed Godwits, 140 Turnstones, 2 Med. Gulls, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 45 Goldfinch.

 

 Painted Lady

Ringing

1 Reed Warbler, 1 Wren and 4 Reed Buntings.

Monday, 21st September 2015

Offshore

33 Common Scoters west, 1 Red-breasted Merganser west, 1 Gannet west and 2 Sandwich Terns.

Visible Migration 

5 Swallows south.

Grounded Migrants

2 Goldcrests and 1 Wheatear.

 

 Wheatear

Others

43 Wigeons, 22 Teal, 2 Little Egrets, 86 Ringed Plovers, 28 Golden Plovers, 500 Lapwings, 215 Sanderlings, 250 Dunlins, 117 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Med. Gull and 45 Goldfinch.

 

 Med. Gull

Sunday, 20th September 2015

A very interesting flava Wagtail was heard and seen briefly this morning. It was first heard giving a rasping "tchreep" call as it flew in from the east, it then disappeared onto the golf course. It was located again by call, but only brief distant scope views were obtained but it was a very grey & white looking bird. It was heard giving flava like "pseeu" calls as well as the "tchreep" call. IG later listened to various forms of Yellow Wagtails he had sound recorded around Eurpoe & Asia and the best match was feldegg recordings. Unfortunately it was not seen again and the views on the ground were very brief and distant.

Offshore

9 Wigeons west, 2 Pintails west, 32 Common Scoters west, 3 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Great Crested Grebe west and 2 Auk sp. east.

Visible Migration

8 House Martins south, 12 Swallows south, 1 Mistle Thrush south, 6 Grey Wagtails south, 35 Alba Wagtails south, 14 Carrion Crows south, 26 Meadow Pipits south, 7 Chaffinch south, 21 Greenfinches south and 2 Reed Buntings south.

Grounded Migrants 

15 Goldcrests, 11 Chiffchaffs, 13 Blackcaps, 2 Garden Warblers, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 15 Robins, 1 Whinchat, 9 Wheatears, 1 Flava Wagtail and 35 Pied Wagtails.

 

 Wheatear

 

 Spotted Flycatcher

Others 

76 Wigeons, 23 Teal, 6 Little Egrets, 2 Water Rails, 80 Ringed Plovers, 53 Sanderlings, 170 Dunlins, 1 Ruff, 220 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Greenshank, 170 Turnstones, 1 Med. Gull, 2 Cettis Warblers and 75 Goldfinch.

 

 Little Egret

Ringing

3 Chiffchaffs, 4 Blackcaps, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 4 Robins, 3 Dunnocks, 1 Blackbird, 3 Chaffinch, 1 Goldfinch, 6 Greenfinches and 1 Reed Bunting.

 

 Robin

 

 Chiffchaff

 

 Blackcap

 

 Garden Warbler

Saturday, 19th September 2015

Offshore

53 Common Scoters west, 5 Red-throated Divers west, 2 Gannets west, 1 Great Crested Grebe west, 2 Sandwich Terns west, 1 Guillemot west and 6 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration 

1 Little Egret in off, 9 Carrion Crows south, 2 Ravens south, 2 Skylarks south, 19 Swallows south, 5 House Martins south, 12 Grey Wagtails south, 33 Alba Wagtails south, 124 Meadow Pipits south, 6 Chaffinch south, 16 Goldfinch south, 22 Greenfinches south, 11 Siskins south, 30 Linnets south and 1 Reed Bunting south.

 

 Linnet

Grounded Migrants

1 Song Thrush, 15 Goldcrests, 5 Chiffchaffs, 6 Blackcaps, 1 Reed Warbler, 7 Wrens, 10 Robins, 4 Wheatears and 1 Reed Bunting.

Others 

62 Wigeons, 14 Teal, 2 Little Egrets, 137 Ringed Plovers, 63 Grey Plovers, 120 Knot, 164 Sanderlings, 215 Dunlins, 128 Black-tailed Godwits, 175 Turnstones, 4 Stock Doves and 85 Goldfinch.

 

 Sanderling

Ringing 

2 Goldcrests, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Wren, 3 Blackbirds, 1 Song Thrush, 4 Robins, 3 Dunnocks, 9 Greenfinches, 2 Chaffinch, 1 Siskin, 2 Goldfinch and 3 Reed Buntings.

 

 Siskin

 

 Greenfinch

Friday, 18th September 2015

Offshore

36 Common Scoters west, 1 Gannet west, 2 Sandwich Terns and 1 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration

36 Pink-fooed Geese south, 49 Swallows south, 32 House Martins south, 17 Meadow Pipits south and 7 Siskins south.

Grounded Migrants 

6 Goldcrests, 7 Chiffchaffs, 4 Blackcaps, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 6 Robins, 14 Wheatears and 2 Grey Wagtails.

 

 Robin

 

 Wheatear

 

 Spotted Flycatcher

Others

45 Wigeons, 26 Teal, 4 Little Egrets, 107 Ringed Plovers, 600 Lapwings, 165 anderlings, 375 Dunlins, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Spotted Redshank, 120 Turnstones, 1 Med. Gull and 80 Goldfinch.

Ringing

1 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Wren and 2 Reed Buntings.

 

 Wren

Thursday, 17th September 2015

Offshore 

1 Teal west, 36 Common Scoters west, 3 Red-throated Divers west and 2 Sandwich Terns.

Visible Migration

14 Swallows south, 4 Grey Wagtails south, 10 Alba Wagtails south, 43 Meadow Pipits south and 8 Siskins south.

Grounded Migrants

7 Goldcrests, 3 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler, 20 Robins and 2 Wheatears.

Others

73 Wigeons, 16 Teal, 3 Little Egrets, 118 Ringed Plovers, 7 Golden Plovers, 600 Lapwings, 60 Knot, 145 Sanderlings, 180 Dunlins, 180 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Spotted Redshank, 600 Redshanks, 130 Turnstones, 1 Med. Gull and 1 Barn Owl.

 

 Curlew

Ringing 

1 Goldcrest, 1 Blue Tit, 2 Blackcap, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Robin and 1 Dunnock.

 

Blackcap

Wednesday, 16th September 2015

Offshore

11 Shelducks east, 18 Common Scoters west, 1 Great Crested Grebe west and 8 Sandwich Terns.

Visible Migration 

1 Buzzard south, 53 Swallows south, 18 House Martins east, 8 Grey Wagtails south, 46 Alba Wagtails south, 175 Meadow Pipits south, 2 Chaffinch south, 2 Goldfinch south, 11 Siskins south and 7 Linnets south.

 

 Buzzard

Grounded Migrants

6 Goldcrests, 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Song Thrush, 9 Robins and 2 Wheatears.

 

 Goldcrest

Others 

44 Wigeons, 15 Teal, 2 Shovelers, 1 Little Egret,155 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Med. Gull and 40 Goldfinch.

Ringing

1 Blue Tit, 1 Cettis Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Wren, 2 Robins and 2 Reed Buntings.

 

 Reed Bunting

Tuesday, 15th September 2015

Offshore 

4 Shelducks east, 36 Common Scoters west, 1 Red-throated Diver west, 1 Gannet west, 3 Guillemots west and 6 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration 

17 Swallows south, 3 Grey Wagtails south, 8 Alba Wagtails south and 21 Meadow Pipits south.

Grounded Migrants 

8 Goldcrests, 5 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 11 Robins, 1 Redstart, 2 Whinchats and 15 Wheatears.

 

 Wheatear

 

 Whinchat

Others

41 Wigeons, 17 Teal, 1 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine, 1 Water Rail, 220 Dunlins, 175 Black-tailed Godwits, 220 Turnstones and 1 Med. Gull.

Ringing

1 Chiffchaff, 1 Wren and 1 Robin.

 

 Robin

Monday, 14th September 2015

Offshore

6 Shelducks east, 28 Common Scoters west, 1 Gannet west, 1 Great Crested Grebe west and 1 Sandwich Tern west.

Visible Migration

1 Osprey south mid afternoon, 33 Swallows east, 4 House Martins east, 6 Grey Wagtails south/south-east, 36 Alba Wagtails south, 102 Meadow Pipits south, 10 Siskins east, 1 Redpoll south and 1 Reed Bunting south.

 

 Osprey

Grounded Migrants

8 Goldcrests, 7 Chiffchaffs, 2 Willow Warblers, 3 Blackcaps, 1 Garden Warbler, 3 Whitethroats, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 12 Robins and 3 Wheatears.

 

 Wheatear

Others

63 Wigeons, 21 Teal, 1 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine, 500 Lapwings, 100 Dunlins, 180 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1 Common Sandpiper and 1 Med. Gull.

 

 Black-tailed Godwits

Ringing

3 Goldcrests, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Whitethroats, 1 Reed Warbler and 1 Robin.

 

 Chiffchaff

 

 Goldcrest