18th August 2011

With the apparently ideal conditions this morning for a fall, members were surprised to find only a single Willow Warbler although it was the first for a few days, and then another seen but not captured.
Later in the morning 2 Whitethroats appeared, one was found in the old obs mist net and the other arrived on the west side together with a flock of 55 Meadow Pipits, the largest group of the autumn so far. A flock of 28 Swallows circling high above the island was the only other evidence of visible migration, no Wheatears to take advantage of the fresh mealworms obtained and there were no 'write-ons' to the log sheet which is unusual for August. Event of the day was a report from a member of the public of an Oystercatcher trapped in string on the shore by Little Eye, the bird was released by coastal ranger Scott Reid on his way off the island and brought to the obs by DB where the remaining string (from a child's kite) was removed from it's leg (above). The Oystercatcher which was in good condition was ringed and released on the west side. This is the first Oystercatcher ringed since one in 1998, and prior to that the days of cannon netting etc. in the 60's and 70's. Ringed:- 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Whitethroat (right), 2 Meadow Pipits. (DB,CJ) [707-42] photos CJ