31st May 2016 – bright and sunny NE3/4/5
Grounded Migrants
Single Wheatear and Blackcap were logged.
Ringing
May proved to be a quiet month with just 133 birds of 20 species handled. Individual species totals were as follows (retraps in brackets). Blackcap 14 (2), Goldfinch 11 (27), Starling 9, Willow Warbler 8, Chiffchaff 5, Blackbird 4 (9), Lapwing 3, House Sparrow 3, Spotted Flycatcher 3, Whitethroat 3, Sedge Warbler 2 (1), Linnet 2 (4), Swallow 1, Wren 1, Siskin 1, Lesser Redpoll 1, Chaffinch 1, Greenfinch 1 (12), Dunnock (3), Reed Bunting (2).
Moths
The light trap has finally started to produced significant catches with 247 moths of 44 species attracted overnight. Small Square-spot was the most prominent species but the catch also included Purple Bar, Sandy Carpet, Treble Lines, Small Angles Shades, Buff-tip, Shears, Sand Dart, Bordered Sallow, Brimstone and Broom Moth.
Spring drags on
28th May 2016 – bright and sunny NE1/2
Offshore
Early morning observations produced small numbers of Guillemot, Gannet, Fulmar, Sandwich Tern, Little Tern, Manx Shearwater and Common Scoter.
Grounded Migrants
A single Spotted Flycatcher continued the good spring for this species and a Chiffchaff was also logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 600 Dunlin and 110 Ringed Plover.
Miscellaneous
At least one Little Egret continues in residence.
Offshore
Early morning observations produced small numbers of Guillemot, Gannet, Fulmar, Sandwich Tern, Little Tern, Manx Shearwater and Common Scoter.
Grounded Migrants
A single Spotted Flycatcher continued the good spring for this species and a Chiffchaff was also logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 600 Dunlin and 110 Ringed Plover.
Miscellaneous
At least one Little Egret continues in residence.
Last rites of spring?
27th May 2016 – sunny spells WNW1
Offshore
A few Gannet and Little Tern were offshore.
Grounded Migrants
Single Spotted Flycatcher and Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
Two Lesser Redpoll moved through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Sanderling numbers have reduced dramatically over the last few days.
Offshore
A few Gannet and Little Tern were offshore.
Grounded Migrants
Single Spotted Flycatcher and Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
Two Lesser Redpoll moved through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Sanderling numbers have reduced dramatically over the last few days.
Yellow Wagtail and Garden Warbler
26th May 2016 – overcast/light showers WNW2
Offshore
A check of the sea on the high tide revealed a feeding flock of 22 Arctic Tern, 3 Little Tern and 2 Sandwich Tern recorded.
Grounded Migrants
Single Garden Warbler, Yellow Wagtail, Spotted Flycatcher and Whitethroat revealed that spring passage is not quite finished.
Wildfowl and Waders
The colour-ringed Black-tailed Godwit remained.
Moths
The number of moths attracted to the light trap overnight is rising slowly and is dominated by Brown Silver-line. However, Campion, Treble lines and Scalloped Hazel provided some distraction.
Offshore
A check of the sea on the high tide revealed a feeding flock of 22 Arctic Tern, 3 Little Tern and 2 Sandwich Tern recorded.
Grounded Migrants
Single Garden Warbler, Yellow Wagtail, Spotted Flycatcher and Whitethroat revealed that spring passage is not quite finished.
Wildfowl and Waders
The colour-ringed Black-tailed Godwit remained.
Moths
The number of moths attracted to the light trap overnight is rising slowly and is dominated by Brown Silver-line. However, Campion, Treble lines and Scalloped Hazel provided some distraction.
Sanderling origins revealed
25th May 2016 – overcast NE2
Offshore
A check of the sea on the falling tide revealed 4 Common Scoter and 4 Red-breasted Merganser along with feeding flock 50 Arctic Tern, 3 Little Tern and 2 Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A single Chiffchaff was the only obvious new arrival.
Diurnal Migration
Four Swift flew over.
Wildfowl and Waders
A colour-ringed Black-tailed Godwit was logged and 1000 Sanderling remain.
Ringing
The five colour-ringed Sanderling seen at the weekend had initially been ringed at Griend, The Netherlands (2), Iwik, Mauritania (2) and Ostgronland, Greenland (1).
Offshore
A check of the sea on the falling tide revealed 4 Common Scoter and 4 Red-breasted Merganser along with feeding flock 50 Arctic Tern, 3 Little Tern and 2 Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A single Chiffchaff was the only obvious new arrival.
Diurnal Migration
Four Swift flew over.
Wildfowl and Waders
A colour-ringed Black-tailed Godwit was logged and 1000 Sanderling remain.
Ringing
The five colour-ringed Sanderling seen at the weekend had initially been ringed at Griend, The Netherlands (2), Iwik, Mauritania (2) and Ostgronland, Greenland (1).
Spring draws to a close
22nd May 2016 – sunny spells W1
Offshore
Variety was the order of the day during a early morning seawatch (0800-0900) with 240 Common Scoter, 15 Guillemot, 8 Arctic Tern, 7 Gannet, 6 Manx Shearwater, 5 Kittiwake, 2 Little Tern and 2 Sandwich Tern logged.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to single Spotted Flycatcher and Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Swallows still trickle through.
Wildfowl and Waders
At least 3000 Sanderling remain.
Offshore
Variety was the order of the day during a early morning seawatch (0800-0900) with 240 Common Scoter, 15 Guillemot, 8 Arctic Tern, 7 Gannet, 6 Manx Shearwater, 5 Kittiwake, 2 Little Tern and 2 Sandwich Tern logged.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to single Spotted Flycatcher and Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Swallows still trickle through.
Wildfowl and Waders
At least 3000 Sanderling remain.
Puffin and Great Skua
21st May 2016 – overcast/showers then sunny spells S3/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0720-0920 & 1200-1400) were highlighted by single Puffin and Great Skua and the first Fulmar of the year. Also seen were 225 Manx Shearwater, 165 Guillemot, 115 Guillemot, 60 Common Scoter, 28 Kittiwake, 10 Sandwich Tern, 3 Red-throated Diver, 2 Little Tern, 2 Razorbill and an Arctic Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Only evidence by a single Whinchat.
Diurnal Migration
A House Martin was amongst a trickle of Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included an exceptional 4000 Sanderling and 2 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
A few Little Egret continue to linger.
Ringing
At least 5 colour-ringed birds were amongst the huge flock of Sanderling.
Butterflies and Moths
Clouded Bordered Brindle and Small Square-spot are now on the wing.
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0720-0920 & 1200-1400) were highlighted by single Puffin and Great Skua and the first Fulmar of the year. Also seen were 225 Manx Shearwater, 165 Guillemot, 115 Guillemot, 60 Common Scoter, 28 Kittiwake, 10 Sandwich Tern, 3 Red-throated Diver, 2 Little Tern, 2 Razorbill and an Arctic Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Only evidence by a single Whinchat.
Diurnal Migration
A House Martin was amongst a trickle of Swallow.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included an exceptional 4000 Sanderling and 2 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
A few Little Egret continue to linger.
Ringing
At least 5 colour-ringed birds were amongst the huge flock of Sanderling.
Butterflies and Moths
Clouded Bordered Brindle and Small Square-spot are now on the wing.
Seabirds and waders
20th May 2016 – sunny spells/rain by evening S2/3
Offshore
A check over the sea on the falling tide (1230-1330) produced 83 Gannet, 39 Kittiwake, 22 Manx Shearwater, 5 Sandwich Tern and an Arctic Skua.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included an impressive flock of 2600 Sanderling and 3 Whimbrel
Ringing
At least one colour-ringed bird was amongst the Sanderling flock
Offshore
A check over the sea on the falling tide (1230-1330) produced 83 Gannet, 39 Kittiwake, 22 Manx Shearwater, 5 Sandwich Tern and an Arctic Skua.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included an impressive flock of 2600 Sanderling and 3 Whimbrel
Ringing
At least one colour-ringed bird was amongst the Sanderling flock
Evening seawatch
17th May 2016 - sunny spells then heavy cloud SSW2/3
Offshore
An evening seawatch on the evening tide as the cloud rolled in (1830-1930) was highlighted by a summer-plumaged drake Long-tailed Duck. The supporting cast provided variety rather than quantity with 44 Guillemot, 36 Gannet, 20 Sandwich Tern, 19 Manx Shearwater, 13 Common Scoter, 8 Razorbill, 4 Kittiwake, 3 Red-throated Diver and a Little Tern recorded.
Offshore
An evening seawatch on the evening tide as the cloud rolled in (1830-1930) was highlighted by a summer-plumaged drake Long-tailed Duck. The supporting cast provided variety rather than quantity with 44 Guillemot, 36 Gannet, 20 Sandwich Tern, 19 Manx Shearwater, 13 Common Scoter, 8 Razorbill, 4 Kittiwake, 3 Red-throated Diver and a Little Tern recorded.
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