28th May 2012

Sea passage had increased significantly over recent days with a small but interesting passage of 41 adult Kittiwakes down the west side as well as 12 Gannets, 85 Common Terns and 25 Sandwich Terns.

Four Sanderling was a nice sighting and Dunlins appeared as the tide rose with up to 300 present along with a few Ringed Plovers.

Visible migration was slow but 4 Swift flew over, a single Skylark (over south end) and obligatory Redpoll, and 8 Goldfinches appeared and spent some time around the Obs fences and garden where a male was eventually caught.

Two Chiffchaffs were caught during the morning - where are these Chiffchaffs going?  We get a small passage in late May each spring...

A school party arrived from Manor School (on the Ford Estate) and seemed thrilled to be shown a Swallow in the hand, which had been caught in the mist net in the lower paddock.  Its bill was covered in red sandy mud so is possibly the island female which arrived recently and is thought to be nest building.
Ringing:  2 Chiffchaff, Swallow, Goldfinch

Insects are now high on the agenda and the first Four-spotted Chaser of the year was found - once again showing the benefits of the new pond and associated wildlife garden.  Seven-spotted Ladybirds increased to over 200.

With the excellent coverage continuing we are eeking out the last of the spring and are still hopeful that the next big one is just around the corner...
(DB et al) [668-29]