7th September 2023

 Weather: SE force 3, mist around the estuary and cloud for a change, WSW 1 late afternoon

Both Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler are still moving south through the island, a Willow Warbler was caught on the first round of the traps.

A total of 6 Willow Warblers during the day was a lot for this late in autumn. Three Chiffchaffs (below) were also here.

Goldcrests are appearing more often as we get well into September, 3 today.

Two Grey Wagtail and 4 Pied were present with 2 Wheatear, a Redpoll and a few Meadow Pipits passing through. A surprise was the sound of Pink-footed Geese coming from the north end at 09.00hrs but they were not seen, the sounds of autumn/winter to come. The 3 Eider (2 female types and an eclipse male) however have been around for a while now. A Raven appeared again, 11 Little Egrets fed and the Kestrel hovered about the island even as the observatory maintenance work continued.

Some wader numbers on the list included 6,500 Oystercatcher, 1,500 Dunlin, 220 Curlew, a Whimbrel, 64 Redshank, 62 Ringed Plover and 20 Bar-tailed Godwits. A single Little Tern was a late sighting among the 80 Sandwich and 20 Common Terns. The massive influx of Red Admirals the last few days declined somewhat with 40 today. There was a Common Blue, 2 Small Tortoiseshells and a single Painted Lady which especially pleased observers as they have been scarce this year.

Photos SRW