30th September 2013 – sunny spells E5
Offshore
Observations (0730-0830) provided 80 Black-headed Gull, 30 Wigeon, 20 Razorbill, 4 Shelduck, 3 Red-throated Diver and 2 Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
An influx of Robin saw 20 birds logged, otherwise grounded birds were limited to 6 Wheatear, 2 Chiffchaff and a Blackcap.
Diurnal Migration
Passage through the course of the morning included 1200 Meadow Pipit, 150 Pink-footed Goose, 80 Skylark, 55 Pied/White Wagtail, 12 Starling, 10 Swallow, 4 Jackdaw and a Reed Bunting.
Wildfowl and Waders
Sightings included 5 Greenshank and 3 Shoveler amongst 180 Teal. The 11 pale-bellied Brent Geese remain in residence.
Ringing
It proved to be the second best September ringing total achieved by the observatory with 715 birds of 20 species ringed. Individual species totals involved: Meadow Pipit (479), Robin (85), Goldfinch (45), Chiffchaff (22), House Sparrow (13), Chaffinch (12), Wren (12), Goldcrest (10), Dunnock (9), Greenfinch (7), Whitethroat (6), Willow Warbler (5), Blackcap (2), Reed Bunting (2), Spotted Flycatcher (1), Sparrowhawk (1), Pied Wagtail (1), Reed Warbler (1), Tree Pipit (1) and Red-breasted Flycatcher (1). Remarkably for the first time ever more Chiffchaff than Willow Warbler have been ringed this autumn emphasising the poor passage of the latter while the number of Robin ringed are the highest for many years.
