Thursday, 28th April 2016

Offshore 

3 Shelducks east, 166 Common Scoters east, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers east, 9 Red-throated Divers east, 3 Gannets west, 2 Arctic Skuas east, 1 Great Skua east, 13 Kittiwakes east, 9 Sandwich Terns east, 26 Arctic Terns east, 1 Guillemot west and 2 Auk sp. wst.

Visible Migration 

240 Pink-footed Geese north, 4 Carrion Crows north-east, 4 Swallows north-east, 4 Alba Wagtails north, 4 Tree Pipits north, 4 Meadow Pipits north, 26 Goldfinch east, 3 Siskins east, 14 Linnets east and 4 Redpolls east.

Grounded Migrants 

1 Swift, 6 Sand Martins, 50 Swallows, 15 House Martins,1 Whitethroat, 2 Grasshopper Warblers and 4 Wheatears.

Others 

43 Ringed Plovers, 6 Grey Plovers, 400 Knots, 250 Dunlins, 7 Whimbrels, 7 Bar-tailed Godwits, 23 Black-tailed Godwits and 62 Turnstones.

 

 Black-tailed Godwits

Ringing 

2 Linnets and 2 Lesser Redpolls.

 

 Linnet

Wednesday, 27th April 2016

Offshore

66 Common Scoters east, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers east, 6 Red-throated Divers east, 3 Gannets west, 2 Great Crested Grebes east, 1 Arctic Skua east, 41 Sandwich Terns east, 2 Guillemots east and 6 Auk sp. east.

Visible Migration

128 Pink-footed Geese north, 6 Whimbrels east, 6 Carrion Crows north-east,17 Swallows north-east, 4 House Martins north-east, 3 Alba Wagtails north, 9 Tree Pipits north, 16 Meadow Pipits north, 80  Goldfinch east, 8 Siskins east, 85 Linnets east and 14 Redpolls east.

Grounded Migrants 

4 Willow Warblers, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Sedge Warblers, 3 Reed Warblers, 6 Wheatears and 4 White Wagtails.

Others

2 Little Egrets, 68 Ringed Plovers, 7 Grey Plovers, 1000 Knots, 56 Sanderlings, 275 Dunlins, 3 Whimbrels, 19 Black-tailed Godwits and 63 Turnstones.

 

 Knot

 

 Grey Plover

Tuesday, 26th April 2016

Offshore

43 Common Scoters east, 1 Red-breasted Merganser east, 9 Red-throated Divers east, 1 Fulmar east, 2 Manx Shearwaters west, 8 Gannets east, 2 Arctic Skuas east, 8 Kittiwakes east, 87 Sandwich Terns, 2 Common Terns east, 7 Arctic Terns east, 3 Guillemots east and 12 Auk sp. east.

Visible Migration

2 Whimbrels east, 3 Swallows north-east, 10 Goldfinch east and 14 Linnets east.

 

 Swallows

Grounded Migrants 

1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Wheatears and 1 White Wagtail.

Others 

52 Ringed Plovers, 9 Grey Plovers, 1500 Knots, 45 Sanderlings, 300 Dunlins, 11 Whimbrels, 31 Black-tailed Godwits and 76 Turnstones.

 

 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

Monday, 25th April 2016

A decent seawatch this morning with the springs first Pomarine Skua flying into the bay, a Black-throated Diver on the sea for a while and a single Velvet Scoter past.

Offshore

181 Common Scoters east, 1 Velvet Scoter east, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers east, 13 Red-throated Divers east, 1 2CY Black-throated Diver - on the sea for a while before departing east, 11 Gannets west, 1 Great

Crested Grebe west, 1 LM Adult Pomarine Skua east - came into the bay low then rapidly gained height, 3 Arctic Skuas east, 3 Kittiwakes east, 11 Sandwich Terns east, 1 Guillemot east and 5 Auk sp. east.

 

 Black-throated Diver

Visible Migration

5 Whimbrels east, 6 Swallows north-east, 1 Meadow Pipit north and 4 Goldfinch east.

Grounded Migrants 

1 Wheatear.

Others 

2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 57 Ringed Plovers, 11 Grey Plovers, 1,200 Knots, 75 Sanderlings, 500 Dunlins, 1 Whimbrel, 23 Black-tailed Godwits, 7 Bar-tailed Godwits, 67 Turnstones and 1 4CY Yellow-legged Gull.

 

 Great Crested Grebes

Sunday, 24th April 2016

Light rain showers mid morning dropped the first Swift of the year in.

Offshore

153 Common Scoters east, 11 Red-breasted Mergansers, 7 Red-throated Divers east, 9 Gannets east, 1 Great Crested Grebe east, 2 Little Gulls east, 4 Sandwich Terns and 2 Auk sp. east.

Visible Migration

11 Whimbrels east, 14 Swallows north-east, 4 Alba Wagtails north, 5 Meadow Pipits north, 17 Goldfinch east and 9 Linnets east.

Grounded Migrants:

1 Swift, 7 Sand Martins, 60 Swallows, 20 House Martins, 6 Whitethroats, 2 Sedge Warblers, 2 Wheatears and 1 White Wagtail.

Others

2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 63 Ringed Plovers, 2,000 Knots, 85 Sanderlings, 600 Dunlins, 3 Snipe, 3 Whimbrels, 14 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Common Sandpiper and 75 Turnstones.

 

 Grasshopper Warbler

Ringing

1 Great Tit, 1 Sedge Warbler and 5 Lesser Redpolls.

 

 Sedge Warbler

Saturday, 23rd April 2016

A Hooded Crow flew north-east out across the bay this morning.

Offshore

4 Teals east, 34 Common Scoters east, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Red-throated Diver east, 5 Gannets east, 2 Arctic Skuas east, 7 Sandwich Terns east, 2 Common Terns east, 24 Arctic Terns east and 1 Auk sp. east.

Visible Migration 

7 Whimbrels east, 1 Jackdaw north-east, 2 Rooks east, 24 Carrion Crows north-east, 1 Hooded Crow north-east, 17 Swallows north-east, 1 Tree Sparrow east, 6 Alba Wagtails north, 4 Tree Pipits north, 31 Meadow Pipits north, 48 Goldfinch east, 16 Siskins north, 32 Linnets east and 15 Redpolls east.

Grounded Migrants

12 Willow Warblers, 5 Blackcaps, 5 Lesser Whitethroats, 4 Whitethroats, 6 Sedge Warblers and 3 Wheatears.

Others 

2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 1 Little Egret, 39 Ringed Plovers, 4000 Knots, 55 Sanderlings, 350 Dunlins, 2 Whimbrels, 42 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Common Sandpipers and 75 Turnstones.

 

 Knot

 

 Red-breasted Merganser

Whimbrel

Ringing

1 Lesser Whitethroat and 3 Lesser Redpolls.

 

 Lesser Whitethroat

Friday, 22nd April 2016

Offshore

60 Common Scoters east, Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Red-throated Divers east, 3 Gannets west, 2,200 Knots west, 44 Sandwich Terns east, 57 Arctic Terns east and 1 Guillemot east.

Visible Migration 

32 Whimbrels east, 2 Carrion Crows north-east, 12 Sand Martins north-east, 51 Swallows north-east, 1 Great Tit high east!, 3 Yellow Wagtails east, 8 Alba Wagtails north, 3 Tree Pipits north, 37 Meadow Pipits north, 72 Goldfinch east, 8 Siskins east, 54 Linnets east and 25 Redpolls east.

 

 Swallow

Grounded Migrants 

20 Willow Warblers, 8 Blackcaps, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Whitethroat, 3 Sedge Warblers, 9 Wheatears, 1 singing male Pied Flycatcher and 4 White Wagtails.

 

 Blackcap

 

 Willow Warbler

Others

2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 1 Little Egret, 43 Ringed Plovers, 180 Knot, 62 Sanderlings, 300 Dunlins, 4 Whimbrels, 74 Black-tailed Godwits, 160 Turnstones and 1 4CY Yellow-legged Gull - a male on size and the strongly hook tipped bill, see photo.

 

 Yellow-legged Gull

Ringing

6 Lesser Redpolls and a control.

 

 Lesser Redpoll

Thursday, 21st April 2016

Offshore

1 Shelduck east, 14 Common Scoters east, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers east, 1 Red-throated Diver east, 1,300 Knots west, 31 Sandwich Terns east and 13 Arctic Terns east.

Visible Migration 

26 Pink-footed Geese north, 1 Little Egret east, 3 Whimbrels east, 3 Carrion Crows north-east, 8 Sand Martins north-east, 18 Swallows north-east, 11 Alba Wagtails north, 2 Tree Pipits north, 11 Meadow Pipits north, 8 Goldfinch east, 3 Siskins east, 18 Linnets east and 21 Redpolls east.

Grounded Migrants

1 Chiffchaff, 15 Willow Warblers, 7 Blackcaps, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Sedge Warblers, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Whinchat and 40 Wheatears.

 

Whinchat

Others

2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 33 Ringed Plovers, 12 Grey Plovers, 425 Knot, 48 Sanderlings, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 175 Dunlins, 132 Black-tailed Godwits, 160 Turnstones and 1 4CY Yellow-legged Gull.

Ringing 

1 Blackcap and 8 Lesser Redpolls.

Wednesday, 20th April 2016

There was a decent vis passage first thing with 7 Yellow Wagtails and 18 Tree Pipits flying through, shortly followed by another Osprey and the first Little Terns offshore. An evening walk around the water meadows produced a pair of Mandarins, rare here and a Marsh Harrier.

Mandarins

Offshore

64 Common Scoters east, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers east, 3 Red-throated Divers east, 4 Gannets east, 6,800 Knots west, 1 Arctic Skua east, 8 Sandwich Terns east, 2 Common Terns east, 2 Little Terns east, 1

Guillemot east and 2 Auk sp. east.

Visible Migration

125 Pink-footed Geese north, 1 Little Egret east, 1 Sparrowhawk in off, 1 Osprey north-east, 1 Kestrel in off and landed on a groyne, 1 Whimbrel east, 8 Wood Pigeons east, 7 Carrion Crows north-east, 5 Rooks east, 8 Sand Martins north-east, 17 Swallows north-east, 7 Yellow Wagtails east, 21 Alba Wagtails north, 18 Tree Pipits north, 68 Meadow Pipits north, 59 Goldfinch east, 9 Siskins east, 43 Linnets east and 46 Redpolls east.

 

 Kestrel

 

 Rook

Grounded Migrants 

1 Chiffchaff, 10 Willow Warblers, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Redstart and 10 Wheatears.

 

 Wheatears

Others

2 Mandarins, 1 Marsh Harrier, 43 Ringed Plovers, 500 Knot, 95 Sanderlings, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 280 Dunlins, 1 Whimbrel, 115 Black-tailed Godwits and 175 Turnstones.

Ringing

5 Lesser Redpolls.

 

 

 

Lesser Redpoll

Tuesday, 19th April 2016

Offshore

6 Shelducks east, 23 Common Scoters east, 9 Red-breasted Mergansers east, 21 Red-throated Divers east, 3 Gannets east, 3 Great Crested Grebes east, 1 Great Skua east, 1 Arctic Skua east, 7 Sandwich Terns east, 2 Razorbills east and 3 Auk sp. east.

 

 Gannets

Visible Migration 

4 Whimbrels east, 9 Carrion Crows north-east, 17 Sand Martins north-east, 65 Swallows north-east, 5 House Martins north-east, 24 Alba Wagtails north, 5 Tree Pipits north, 258 Meadow Pipits north, 204

Goldfinch east, 19 Siskins east, 234 Linnets east and 2 Redpolls east.

 

 White Wagtail

Grounded Migrants 

1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Chiffchaffs, 8 Willow Warblers, 6 Blackcaps, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Whitethroat and 5 Wheatears,

Others

2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 48 Ringed Plovers, 350 Knot, 80 Sanderlings, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 300 Dunlins, 2 Whimbrels, 165 Black-tailed Godwits, 180 Turnstones and 100 White Wagtails came into roost.

 

 Purple Sandpiper

White Wagtails

Dunlin

Ringing 

2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 House Sparrow, 1 Siskin and 2 Linnets.

 

 Siskin

Monday, 18th April 2016

Offshore 

4 Shelducks west, 111 Common Scoters west, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers east, 6 Red-throated Divers east, 1 2CY Great Northern Diver west, 2 Fulmars west, 156 Gannets west, 1 Great Skua east, 4 Arctic Skuas east, 3 Little Gulls west, 2 Sandwich Terns east and 2 Auk sp. west.

Further observation during the evening produced 17 Common Scoters east, 4 Red-throated Divers east,

2 Manx Shearwaters west, 9 Gannets west, 1 Arctic Skua east and 11 Sandwich Terns east.

 

 Gannets

 

 Red-breasted Merganser

Visible Migration:

4 Swallows north and 13 Goldfinch west.

Grounded Migrants 

9 Sand Martins, 50 Swallows, 8 House Martins, 2 Wheatears and 5 White Wagtails.

Others

3 Red-breasted Mergansers, 500 Knot, 75 Sanderlings, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 225 Dunlins, 133 Black-tailed Godwits, 240 Turnstones and 150 White Wagtails came into the roost this evening.

 

 White Wagtails

Sunday, 17th April 2016

Offshore

10 Shelducks east, 208 Common Scoters east, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers east, 8 Red-throated Divers east, 9 Gannets east, 2 Arctic Skuas east, 24 Little Gulls east, 49 Sandwich Terns east, 2 Common Terns east, 4 Arctic Terns east and 2 Guillemots east.

 

 Shelducks

Visible Migration

19 Whimbrels east, 1 Short-eared Owl east, 3 Sand Martins north-east, 92 Swallows north-east, 23 Alba Wagtails north, 6 Tree Pipits north, 87 Meadow Pipits north, 69 Goldfinch east, 39 Siskins east, 72 Linnets east and 18 Redpolls east.

Grounded Migrants 

1 Goldcrest, 1 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warblers, 2 Blackcaps, 8 Wheatears and 7 White Wagtails.

Others

1 Little Egret, 36 Ringed Plovers, 375 Knot, 70 Sanderlings, 270 Dunlins, 1 Jack Snipe, 7 Snipe, 2 Whimbrels, 360 Black-tailed Godwits and 84 Turnstones.

 

 Black-tailed Godwits

Ringing

1 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warblers, 5 Linnets and 17 Lesser Redpolls plus a control.

 

 Lesser Redpoll

Chiffchaff

Willow Warbler

Saturday, 16th April 2016

Offshore

12 Teal east, 11 Common Scoters east, 6 Red-breasted Mergansers east, 11 Red-throated Divers east, 1 Fulmar east, 2 Manx Shearwaters east, 23 Gannets east, 3 Arctic Skuas east, 6 Kittiwakes east, 10 Little Gulls east, 57 Sandwich Terns east, 1 Common Tern east and 3 Auk sp. east.

 

 Eiders

Visible Migration:

1 Whimbrel east, 4 Carrion Crows north, 2 Swallows north, 8 Alba Wagtails north, 7 Meadow Pipits north and 11 Goldfinch east.

Grounded Migrants 

2 Willow Warblers, 4 Wheatears and 12 White Wagtails.

 

 Wheatear

Others 

1 Little Egret, 53 Ringed Plovers, 4 Golden Plovers, 400 Knot, 85 Sanderlings, 300 Dunlins, 170 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Spotted Redshank, 105 Turnstones and 100 White Wagtails came in to roost.

 

 Black-tailed Godwits

Friday, 15th April 2016

Offshore

2 Shelducks east, 3 Teal west, 12 Common Scoters east, 5 Goldeneyes east, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers east, 5 Red-throated Divers east, 1 Fulmar east, 2 Gannets east,1 Great Crested Grebe west, 1 Arctic

Skua east, 10 Sandwich Terns east and 3 Arctic Terns east. Also 4 Harbour Porpoises.

Visible Migration

4 Whooper Swans north-east, 1 pale-bellied Brent Goose east, 3 Carrion Crows north-east, 5 Swallows north-east, 31 Alba Wagtails north, 1 Tree Pipit north, 26 Meadow Pipits north, 12 Goldfinch east, 7 Linnets east and 8 Redpolls east.

Grounded Migrants 

8 Sand Martins, 25 Swallows, 6 House Martins,5 Willow Warblers, 1 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 1 Sedge Warbler, 5 Wheatears and 80 White Wagtails - large flock joined the local pied Wagtail roost.

 

 White Wagtail

Swallows

Others 

12 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Little Egrets, 500 Knot, 140 Dunlins, 132 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Spotted Redshank, 375 Redshanks and 95 Turnstones.

Ringing 

1 Lesser Whitethroat and 8 Lesser Redpolls.

 

 Lesser Whitethroat

Thursday, 14th April 2016

Offshore 

8 Shelducks east, 14 Common Scoters east, 8 Red-breasted Mergansers, 12 Red-throated Divers east, 1 Gannet east, 11 Little Gulls east, 34 Sandwich Terns east and 9 Arctic Terns east.

Visible Migration

9 Swallows north-east, 9 Alba Wagtails north, 4 Tree Pipits north, 128 Meadow Pipits north, 52 Goldfinch east, 6 Siskins east, 41 Linnets east and 14 Redpolls east.

Grounded Migration 

1 Goldcrest, 1 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warblers, 1 Blackcap, 6 Wheatears and 3 White Wagtails.

Others 

2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 1 Little Egret, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Golden Plovers, 400 Knot, 140 Dunlins, 2 Whimbrels, 425 Black-tailed Godwits and 120 Turnstones.

 

 Black-tailed Godwits

Ringing

3 Willow Warblers and 4 Lesser Redpolls.

 

 Lesser Redpoll

Wednesday, 13th April 2016

Offshore

1 Shelduck east, 14 Common Scoters east, 6 Red-breasted Mergansers, 3 Red-throated Divers east and 2 Sandwich Terns.

Visible Migration 

2 Stock Doves east, 7 Carrion Crows north-east, 1 Great Tit - vocal bird high east, 27 Sand Martins north-east, 10 Swallows north-east, 1 House Martin north-east, 1 Grey Wagtail east, 14 Alba Wagtails north, 3 Tree Pipits north, 362 Meadow Pipits north, 2 Chaffinch east, 55 Goldfinch east, 5 Siskins east, 61 Linnets east and 10 Redpolls east.

Grounded Migrants

1 Common Sandpiper, 6 Goldcrests, 1 Chiffchaff, 27 Willow Warblers, 10 Blackcaps, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Redstarts, 14 Wheatears and 5 White Wagtails.

 

 Redstart

 

 Lesser Whitethroat

Blackcap

Others

2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 1 Little Egret, 64 Ringed Plovers, 2 Golden Plovers, 135 Sanderlings, 225 Dunlins, 500 Black-tailed Godwits and 115 Turnstones.

 

 Black-tailed Godwits

Ringing

2 Goldcrests, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Dunnock and 1 Lesser Redpoll.

 

 Goldcrest