08/05/2024

There were good numbers of Whimbrel this morning but otherwise, this mornings sea watch had that end of season feel about it, though I'm sure there is more to come.

06.30-09.00 with RW, Ol et al

Mute Swan: 2W

Shoveler: 2E

Common Scoter: 19E     358W

Great-crested Grebe: 4 present 

Oystercatcher: 9E   18W

Ringed Plover: 1 in off

Grey Plover: 3E

Whimbrel: 192E

Sanderling: 8E

Kittiwake: 17E

Black-headed Gull: 19E

Great Black-backed Gull: Present N/C

Herring Gull: present n/c

Sandwich Tern: 10E

Common Tern: 6E    2W

Guillemot: 1 present

Gannet:  58E   33W

Cormorant: present n/c 

Collared Dove: 1 flew out to sea then came back

Swallow: 21 in off

Harbour Porpoise: 5

Grey Seal: 2

The gorgeous Melodious Warbler trapped by assistant warden Tom Wright in The Moat yesterday

Juvenile Stonechat at West Beach with dad nearby

The reserve is still very disappointing with no islands to attract passing waders or nesting Terns. The rafts have of course been taken over by Herring Gulls. With the water levels high in the hay fields there is very little evidence of much breeding Redshank and Lapwing at the moment. There are rumours of a new predator fence being put in around the Boulderwall Fields to try to encourage reeding Lapwings, but I fear it will be as useful as the existing predator fences around the hay fields, also very expensive. 

One of the many Lesser Whitethroats around the peninsula 

Willow Warbler in The Moat

Black Redstart Lydd ranges

My local Nightingale that I can hear from my garden with a Cuckoo in the background. Volume up

Spotted Flycatcher top of the Long Pits

A 2nd year male Hen Harrier at Jurys Gap last night and was hunting The Midrips this afternoon