30th April: A big Jay influx was evident early morning, with at least 100 birds noted, including a single flock of 70. Other birds of note were 2 Turtle Doves and 6 Grasshopper Warblers.
A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, until the wind increased, was reasonably productive. The best birds were 2 new Bramblings, 2 new Blackcaps, and a British-ringed control Robin.
The net rides in the East Dunes have started to be prepared for ringing, which will hopefully restart there in a few days' time.
During April we managed to ring exactly the same number of birds as we did during March, which is somehat of a rare event. Normally we do lots more during March than we do during April. It would seem this was mainly due to the prolonged and heavy passage of Chaffinches during April, and also partly due to the good numbers of Bramblings and Goldfinches. Primarily though, it was due to excellent input from Dave Vincent who has been ringing steadily throughout all of the first four months of the year whenever weather and work will allow. Well Done, Dave!
Also late afternoon, two Grasshopper Warblers were ringed on the Storm Ridge, the first of the year.
29th April: Around the reserve were a Yellowhammer, 8 Willow Warblers, 5 Blackcaps, 30 Whitethroats, a Grasshopper Warbler and 2 Grey Partridges.
28th April: During routine ringing, a Serin was caught and ringed, then showed well for a brief period afterwards. This is the first one caught and ringed by the Observatory ever!
27th April: A Black Redstart was at the Visitor Centre early morning. High tide wader counts produced 130 Ringed Plovers, 12000 Knots and 2500 Grey Plovers.
26th April: A Serin flew south over the West Dunes early morning, then U-turned and disappeared northwards. Other passerines on the move included 80 Jays, 60 Swallows, 5 Sand Martins, 2 Swifts and 30 Yellow Wagtails.
25th April: A light southerly movement this morning yielded a Red Kite, 16 Yellow Wagtails, 5 Stock Doves and 2 Siskins. A flock of 41 Jays roamed around the reserve. Grounded migrants included the first Grasshopper Warbler, 8 Sedge Warblers and 2 Lesser Whitethroats.
24th April: The Subalpine Warbler was not seen at all today. It appears to have left us after its 4 day presence. No other news reported today.
23rd April: The first 2 Turtle Doves of the year were recorded today flying along the road. The Subalpine Warbler continued to show well from Tennyson Sands north hide.
22nd April: The Subalpine Warbler put on a good show in front of the Tennyson Sands north hide for most of the day. A Red Kite flew south over the East Dunes at 0905hrs then out to sea. Around the reserve were 18 Jays.
21st April: The Subalpine Warbler continued to show well from Tennyson Sands north hide throughout the day. Grounded migrants included 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 10 Whitethroats, 6 Willow Warblers, 10 Chiffchaffs, 8 Blackcaps, 5 Jays and a Nuthatch. Raptors included a Marsh Harrier, a Common Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawks, a Merlin, a Kestrel and a Peregrine.
A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, until the wind increased, was reasonably productive. The best birds were 2 new Bramblings, 2 new Blackcaps, and a British-ringed control Robin.
The net rides in the East Dunes have started to be prepared for ringing, which will hopefully restart there in a few days' time.
During April we managed to ring exactly the same number of birds as we did during March, which is somehat of a rare event. Normally we do lots more during March than we do during April. It would seem this was mainly due to the prolonged and heavy passage of Chaffinches during April, and also partly due to the good numbers of Bramblings and Goldfinches. Primarily though, it was due to excellent input from Dave Vincent who has been ringing steadily throughout all of the first four months of the year whenever weather and work will allow. Well Done, Dave!
Also late afternoon, two Grasshopper Warblers were ringed on the Storm Ridge, the first of the year.
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| Grasshopper Warbler No. 1 of 2013 ringed on the Storm Ridge 30.04.13 Photo - Mick Briggs |
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| Grasshopper Warbler No. 2 of 2013 Ringed on the Storm Ridge 30.04.13 Photo - Mick Briggs |
29th April: Around the reserve were a Yellowhammer, 8 Willow Warblers, 5 Blackcaps, 30 Whitethroats, a Grasshopper Warbler and 2 Grey Partridges.
28th April: During routine ringing, a Serin was caught and ringed, then showed well for a brief period afterwards. This is the first one caught and ringed by the Observatory ever!
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2nd calendar year male Serin ringed 28.04.13Photo - Mick Briggs |
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2nd calendar year male Serin ringed 28.04.13. A first for the Observatory!Photo - Mick Briggs |
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| Black Redstart (Garry Wright) |
25th April: A light southerly movement this morning yielded a Red Kite, 16 Yellow Wagtails, 5 Stock Doves and 2 Siskins. A flock of 41 Jays roamed around the reserve. Grounded migrants included the first Grasshopper Warbler, 8 Sedge Warblers and 2 Lesser Whitethroats.
24th April: The Subalpine Warbler was not seen at all today. It appears to have left us after its 4 day presence. No other news reported today.
23rd April: The first 2 Turtle Doves of the year were recorded today flying along the road. The Subalpine Warbler continued to show well from Tennyson Sands north hide.
22nd April: The Subalpine Warbler put on a good show in front of the Tennyson Sands north hide for most of the day. A Red Kite flew south over the East Dunes at 0905hrs then out to sea. Around the reserve were 18 Jays.
21st April: The Subalpine Warbler continued to show well from Tennyson Sands north hide throughout the day. Grounded migrants included 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 10 Whitethroats, 6 Willow Warblers, 10 Chiffchaffs, 8 Blackcaps, 5 Jays and a Nuthatch. Raptors included a Marsh Harrier, a Common Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawks, a Merlin, a Kestrel and a Peregrine.
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| Subalpine Warbler at Tennyson Sands (Garry Wright) |
