Redwing and Fieldfare on the move

17th March 2024 – overcast/murk/mizzle at times SSE2
Offshore
A scan of the sea revealed 70 Common Scoter, 10 Shag and 5 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 185 Redwing and 49 Fieldfare. Additional sightings included 8 Goldcrest.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Woodcock was new in.
Miscellaneous
Single Hooded Crow and Merlin were the best of the rest.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap held Early Grey and Dark Swordgrass.

First Wheatear arrives

16th March 2024 – fog clearing then rain later SE1/3
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 16 Blackbird, 3 Fieldfare and single Song Thrush and Redwing. Additional sightings included 11 Goldcrest, 8 Stonechat, 5 Chiffchaff and a Wheatear – the latter the first of the year.
Diurnal Migration
Totals included 60 Meadow Pipit, 19 Whooper Swan, 12 Pied Wagtail, 8 Pink-footed Goose and a Sand Martin.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and Water Rail and Merlin were the best of the rest.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap held a Dotted Border.

Mediterranean Gull and first Sandwich Tern

15th March 2024 – overcast/rain at times WSW3/6
Offshore
A check of the sea (0800-0900) revealed 147 Common Scoter, 18 Kittiwake, 17 Red-throated Diver, 7 Shag, 3 Gannet, 3 Red-breasted Merganser and single Sandwich Tern, Mediterranean Gull and Fulmar.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 7 Fieldfare.
Diurnal Migration
Totals of 50 Pink-footed Goose and 14 Meadow Pipit flew through.
Miscellaneous
The resident Hooded Crow was seen while Merlin and Peregrine were the best of the rest.
Butterflies and Moths
The light trap held three Dark Swordgrass.

Water Pipits remain

12th March 2024 – overcast/rain, clearing later V1/2
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed 21 Common Scoter, 16 Shag, 10 Red-throated Diver and 2 Goosander.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 17 Redwing and 8 Fieldfare and additional sightings included 5 Stonechat, 3 Chiffchaff and a Goldcrest.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 592 light-bellied birds – a new record high and 536 Wigeon, 466 Teal, 130 Shelduck and 62 Red-breasted Merganser were seen. Waders included 2238 Oystercatcher, 2061 Dunlin, 1290 Redshank, 988 Golden Plover, 452 Knot, 189 Turnstone, 176 Gey Plover, 148 Sanderling and 8 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
At least 8 Water Pipit were amongst 8 Rock Pipit and the resident Hooded Crow was seen, while a Water Rail was the best of the rest.

First Chiffchaff arrive

11th March 2024 – overcast/calm
Offshore
A scan of the sea revealed 4800 Eider, 7 Red-throated Diver, 3 Great Crested Grebe and 2 Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 5 Redwing and additional sightings included 5 Stonechat, 2 Goldcrest and 2 Chiffchaff – the latter the first of the year.
Diurnal Migration
The skies were quiet with just 12 Pink-footed Geese, 10 Meadow Pipit, 6 Pied Wagtail and 2 Whooper Swan logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 513 light-bellied birds and 8 Barnacle Geese and a Goosander were seen. Waders included 21 Purple Sandpiper, 4 Greenshank and 3 Woodcock.
Miscellaneous
At least 10 Water Pipit were amongst 10 Rock Pipit and raptors included Buzzard and Merlin. The resident Hooded Crow was seen while 50 Twite and a Water Rail were the best of the rest.

Goosanders

10th March 2024 – overcast/rain at times ENE4/6
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0845-0945) revealed 65 Common Scoter, 17 Red-breasted Merganser, 15 Red-throated Diver, 4 Goosander, 3 Razorbill, 2 Guillemot and a Shag.
Diurnal Migration
A flock of 23 Whooper Swan flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and a Peregrine was the best of the rest.

Whooper Swans still on the move

9th March 2024 – overcast/murky/showers ENE4/6
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0715-0815) revealed 43 Common Scoter, 15 Red-breasted Merganser, 8 Red-throated Diver and a Pintail.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 167 Whooper Swan flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 10 Purple Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and single Merlin and Peregrine were the best of the rest.

Whooper Swans continue to move

8th March 2024 – hazy sun E4/6
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0700-0800) revealed 134 Common Scoter, 20 Red-throated Diver, 13 Red-breasted Merganser and a Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Four Goldcrest and a Stonechat were logged.
Diurnal Migration
A group of 20 Whooper Swan flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 300 Dunlin, 50 Grey Plover and 4 Purple Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
A Water Rail remains.

Early Sand Martins move through

7th March 2024 – hazy sun E3/5
Offshore
Just 6 Common Scoter were logged.
Diurnal Migration
Two early Sand Martin flew through along with 50 Pink-footed Goose.
Wildfowl and Waders
Three Greenshank were seen.
Miscellaneous
A total of 39 Little Egret were seen. The long-staying Hooded Crow and single Barn Owl, Water Rail and Peregrine were the best of the rest.