31st July 2016 – sunny spells NW3/4
Offshore
An early morning check of the sea (0645-0745) proved disappointing with just 60 Sandwich Tern, 37 Common Scoter, 8 Gannet and a Fulmar.
Grounded Migrants
The Treecreeper remained amongst 12 Willow Warbler, 4 Wheatear, 3 Whitethroat and single Redstart and Lesser Whitethroat.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 5 Shoveler and 3 Wigeon while a Whimbrel was the pick of the waders logged.
Miscellaneous
The first Merlin of the autumn hunted the flocks of Goldfinch and Linnet.
Moths
A total of 535 moths of 60 species were attracted overnight. The total was dominated by 177 Dark Arches while immigrants involved 23 Silver Y and 6 Dark Swordgrass.
Ringing
A total of 113 birds of 21 species were handled during the month – due to a mix of post-breeding dispersal and the start of autumn migration. Individual species totals were as follows (retraps in brackets). House Sparrow 34 (2), Sedge Warbler 14 (1), Starling 12 (1), Goldfinch 10 (3), Reed Warbler 8 (1), Willow Warbler 7, Dunnock 3, Blackbird 2, Swallow 2, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Whitethroat 1, Chiffchaff 1, Whinchat 1, Stonechat 1, Wren 1, Reed Bunting 1, Blue Tit 1, Treecreeper 1, Greenfinch 1 (1), Woodpigeon (1), Chaffinch (1) .
