30th April 2017 – sunny spells SE5/6
Offshore
A check of the sea over high tide (1415-1515) provided 29 Common Scoter, 14 Sandwich Tern, 8 Gannet and 2 Arctic Skua.
Grounded Migrants
At last spring arrives with 100 Wheatear, 30 Willow Warbler, 5 Whinchat, 2 Redstart and single Pied Flycatcher and Chiffchaff logged.
Diurnal Migration
An Osprey headed north and Swallow passage finally kicked in with 200 birds logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 144 Whimbrel, 6 Greenshank and 2 Black-tailed Godwit.
Moths
Flame Shoulder and Shuttle-shaped Dart were new for the year.
Ringing
A total of 222 birds of 22 species were handled during the month. Individual species totals were as follows (retraps in brackets): Goldfinch 60, (13), Willow Warbler 25, Goldcrest 14, Linnet 14, (7), Chaffinch 13, (2), Blackbird 10, (2), Blackcap 8, Chiffchaff 7, (1), Dunnock 5, (1), Redwing 3, Wren 3, House Sparrow 3, (1), Robin 2, Lesser Redpoll 2, Meadow Pipit 2, Greenfinch 2, (12), Song Thrush 1, (1), Blue Tit 1, Great Tit 1, Redstart 1, Yellowhammer 1, Reed Bunting 1, (3).
