Whinchat and House Martin arrive

30th April 2012 – bright and sunny E4/5
Offshore
A few seabirds were on the move with 38 Sandwich Tern, 21 Gannet, 4 Razorbill, 2 Common Scoter, 2 Kittiwake and a Manx Shearwater recorded.
Grounded Migrants
An invasion of Wheatear was evident with 160 birds logged, amongst which were 10 Willow Warbler, 2 Whinchat, 2 White Wagtail and single Goldcrest, Robin, Sedge Warbler, Blackcap and Redstart.
Diurnal Migration
A steady stream of hirundines were coming in off the sea through the morning with 300 Swallow, 22 House Martin and 2 Sand Martin logged. A flock of 100 Pink-footed Geese headed north.
Ringing
Despite the seemingly incessant wind from a northerly sector somehow a total of 157 birds of 15 species were ringed during the month. Individual species totals were as follows: Goldfinch (48), Linnet (45), Willow Warbler (25), Blackcap (12), Chiffchaff (5), Chaffinch (4), Greenfinch (4), Blue Tit (3), Redstart (3), Goldcrest (2), Reed Bunting (2), Meadow Pipit (1), Great Tit (1), Dunnock (1) and Siskin (1).