Monday, 15th August 2016

A decent migration day today with the NW airflow finally departing and a light easterly breeze taking over. The highlight of the day was seen first thing; a Corn Bunting briefly on the Golf Course which is just about annual here with most recent records being in May. A Juvenile Marsh Harrier came 'in-off' and there was a steady passage of Hirundines during the morning. An evening ringing session at the Swallow roost produced both Hobby & Merlin hunting the roost.

 

 Marsh Harrier

Offshore 

10 Greylag Geese east, 28 Shelducks east, 28 Common Scoters west, 4 Manx Shearwaters west, 7 Gannets west and 63 Sandwich Terns.

 

 Sandwich Terns

Visible Migration

1 juv Marsh Harrier in off, 1 Sparrowhawk in off, 1 Little Ringed Plover west, 1 Snipe east, 6 Swifts east, 7 Sand Martins east, 244 Swallows east, 28 House Martins east, 1 Grey Wagtail south, 2 Yellow Wagtails south and 2 Tree Pipits south.

Grounded Migrants

6 Willow Warblers, 8 Whitethroats, 5 Sedge Warblers, 3 Wheatears, 1 Yellow Wagtail and 1 Corn Bunting.

Others

4 Teal, 1 Gadwall, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Hobby, 1 Merlin, 67 Ringed Plovers, 500 Lapwings, 1,000 Knots, 85 Sanderlings, 75 Dunlins, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank, 450 Redshanks, 120 Turnstones, 5 Med. Gulls and 50 Goldfinch.

Ringing 

72 Swallows, 3 Willow Warblers, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warblers and 1 Reed Warbler.

 

 Willow Warbler