11th September 2008

Even more Wheatears this morning, 11 were counted, and 2 surprisingly managed to catch themselves in the mist nets, the small potter traps on open ground normally being the preferred method with this species. When examined they turned out to be a male (left) and female (right) of the Greenland race.
A Chiffchaff (below right)that was also ringed was the first warbler to be caught for 9 days, illustrating how frustrating this early September has been for all involved.
A very large count of over 750 Cormorants included a few seeing out the tide at the north end together with at least 6 Shags. Two of the Cormorants bore rings from elsewhere, one had a colour ring that was read by a telephoto lens (below left), it's origin is being looked into - watch this space !
Among other records today were 7 Wigeon and 2 Little Egrets.

















Information now is that the Cormorant was ringed as a chick at Puffin Island (Anglesey) in July 2008

(DB,CJ,CDT,PT,DNW,PGW,SRW) all photos by SRW