Saturday 4 September 2021

4th September 2021

Weather: E force 3 SE 4 at noon

Today was a real top autumn day for migrants, no large numbers but a wide variety of species on view to the observers. Early on there were 2 Common Sandpipers around the island, mostly keeping to the east side rocks on the shore.

A female Pintail was seen to be present, and then a Reed Warbler was trapped for ringing following another that was here two days ago.

More than one in a year is above the average for this increasing local breeder. A flock of 16 Black-tailed Godwits flew past and a single bird was seen later.

A Curlew Sandpiper was found at high tide after an adult Little Stint had already been identified among the small waders. A good record in the afternoon was of a Great Northern Diver that flew towards the east hoyle bank from the west. A female Sparrowhawk also flew about later in the day.To complete the day of good birds a Garden Warbler appeared and was ringed in the late afternoon.
Other warblers present were a Whitethroat, single Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff, plus 6 Wheatears. A Grey Wagtail called over the island and 30 Gannets were noted off shore. Quite often a single Purple Sandpiper will appear at the north end in the middle of summer on passage, but a bird found today is slightly late, although undoubtedly still a passage visitor as the wintering birds usually arrive in October.
Another bird slightly out of season was a Swift, most are now well on the way south. Apart from the Purple Sandpiper, the most notable wader was a Whimbrel. The young Swallows are perching on the paddock fences to be fed, while there was a passage of nearly a hundred Swallows and 90 House Martins overhead.

A very fine birding day with 50 species recorded, not to mention nearly half that number of moths at the trap this morning.

 

Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing
 

Small dusty Wave 

A Migrant Hawker was the sole dragonfly recorded.

Photos CJW

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