Sightings September 2002
 
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1st There was a sprinkling of migrants in the bushes including a Great Spotted Woodpecker, three Whinchats, five Lesser Whitethroats, four Blackcaps, two Chiffchaffs, 12 Willow Warblers and a Spotted Flycatcher whilst overhead, a Hobby flew south and 250 Swallows and a Grey Wagtail were seen.

At sea, a Manx Shearwater flew east and an Arctic Skua lingered offshore whilst at the Patch, the adult Caspian Gull made another reappearance along with two Little Gulls and four Yellow-legged Gulls.
2nd Clear skies and fresh to strong easterly winds resulted in very few birds being seen on the land where the highlights were a Hobby, four Grey Wagtails, eight Lesser Whitethroats, a Pied Flycatcher and also the first Firecrest of the autumn in the Lighthouse Garden.

Despite the strong wind the sea was also disappointing with just single Arctic and Great Skuas and a Mediterranean Gull, a party of six Black Terns and a scattering of waders. At the Patch, the adult Caspian Gull was still present along with six Yellow-legged Gulls.

3rd

Still very quiet despite the easterly winds with the only notable migrants in the morning being a Greenshank, three Whinchats and 12 Lesser Whitethroats and good numbers of hirundines with 150 Sand Martins and 350 Swallows.

There was very little change at the Patch except for two new Little Gulls bringing the total to seven, a second-winter Mediterranean Gull and four Yellow-legged Gulls. An Arctic Skua was also seen offshore.

Yellow-legged Gull

Yellow-legged Gull
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In the evening, a Spoonbill which had been on the RSPB Reserve during the day flew out to the east and over the Long Pits.

Spoonbill
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4th A slight improvement in the numbers of migrants in the area with a Grey Wagtail, 100 Yellow Wagtails, three Whinchats, seven Reed Warblers, seven Lesser Whitethroats, 15 Willow Warblers, four Pied Flycatchers and two Firecrests and large numbers of hirundines including 570 Swallows.

It was very quiet at sea with several hours watching producing just one Arctic Skua, a Little Gull and two Yellow-legged Gulls.
5th A small visible movement occurred during the morning with 500 Swallows, three Tree Pipits, 65 Yellow Wagtails and three Grey Wagtails passing through. A good variety  of migrants were also found in the bushes, but in small numbers, and including single Redstart and Whinchat, two Sedge Warblers, six Lesser Whitethroats, a Garden Warbler, two Blackcaps, six Chiffchaffs, ten Willow Warblers, two Firecrests, a Spotted Flycatcher and three Pied Flycatchers.
6th A very quiet day with strong westerly winds. An Arctic Skua, five Little Gulls and a juvenile Mediterranean Gull lingered offshore but grounded migrants were very few and far between.
7th The highlight of the day was a first-year Tawny Pipit which was found during the morning and remained until dark feeding in areas of short vegetation to the north and east of the Observatory. Other migrants were scarce but four Whimbrels and a Greenshank, a Whinchat, two Sedge Warblers and single Pied and Spotted Flycatchers and a Crossbill were seen.

At sea, nine Arctic and a Great Skua passed through and five Little Gulls and a second-winter Mediterranean Gull were seen at the Patch.
8th An excellent day for commoner migrants and with a few rarer birds as well. The Tawny Pipit remained in the area all day and frequently gave very good views and at around mid-day a fully-winged White Stork flew over. The final notable bird was a Wryneck found in the Desert. This proved very elusive but occasionally gave good views. Raptors were also in evidence with single Common Buzzard, Marsh Harrier and Peregrine Falcon over the area.

Wryneck

Tawny Pipit
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Early morning rain also grounded large numbers of common migrants including two Turtle Doves, two Tree Pipits, 19 Robins, three Redstart, seven Whinchat, 16 Wheatear (mostly "Greenlands"), two Ring Ouzels, nine Reed Warblers, 40 Lesser Whitethroats, 30 Whitethroats, five Garden Warblers, seven Blackcaps, 90 Chiffchaffs, 65 Willow Warblers, 13 Spotted Flycatchers and two Pied Flycatchers. Visible migrants included four Golden Plover, 750 Sand Martin, 400 Swallows and six Grey Wagtails. 

Spotted Flycatcher
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There were five Little Gulls, a second-winter Mediterranean Gull and three Yellow-legged Gulls at the Patch, three Arctic Skuas flew west and 30 Turnstones were on the beach at the fishing boats.
9th A dismal start to the day with strong easterly winds followed by torrential rain. An early morning check of the trapping area produced just a Whinchat and Sedge Warbler, three Spotted Flycatcher and a Pied Flycatcher so it was a surprise to receive a phone call about an Ortolan Bunting in one of the local residents gardens in the afternoon. A check of the area produced only flight views in the now very windy conditions until it returned briefly to the garden and gave fantastic views through the conservatory window. 

Ortolan Bunting
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Early morning seawatching produced just four Arctic Skuas but as the wind veered into the south a few birds began to move through with another nine Arctic and two Great Skuas, 167 Sandwich Terns, 180 Common Terns and two Black Terns. There were also several Little Gulls lingering offshore and a second-winter Mediterranean Gull feeding on the beach in front of the seawatch hide.

The Tawny Pipit and Wryneck of the previous days could not be found but weather conditions made any search extremely difficult.
10th A few migrants were found in the bushes including two Sedge Warblers, 30 Chiffchaffs, 40 Willow Warblers, two Firecrests and single Spotted and Pied Flycatchers whilst overhead a Greenshank, 200 Sand Martins, 500 Swallows, three Tree Pipits, 50 Yellow and 13 Grey Wagtails passed through. A Merlin and three Black Redstarts were also seen.

Five Little Gulls and seven Yellow-legged Gulls were seen at the Patch.

11th Good numbers of migrants continue to be found in the bushes with two Redstarts, ten Whinchats, eight Reed Warblers, 15 Lesser Whitethroats, five Blackcaps, 50 Chiffchaffs, 65 Willow Warblers, two Goldcrests, a Firecrest, a Spotted Flycatcher and a Pied Flycatcher being seen. A Kingfisher was also seen at the Long Pits and migrants passing overhead included 100 Sand Martin, 1100 Swallow, three Tree Pipit, 24 Yellow Wagtails and ten Grey Wagtails.

It was quiet at the Patch although four Little Gulls, five Yellow-legged Gulls and three Black Terns were present. An Arctic Skua also flew east.
12th A fairly quiet day except for large numbers of Swallows passing through with at least 5000 being seen. Very small numbers of other migrants including a Merlin, two Grey Wagtails, two Tree Pipits, a Redstart, five Whinchats, three Lesser Whitethroat, ten Chiffchaffs and two Pied Flycatchers.

There were five Little Gulls and three Black Terns at the Patch again.
13th Seven hundred Swallows and two Tree Pipits flew through whilst a Common Sandpiper, four Whinchats and a Firecrest were of note on the land.
14th Good numbers of hirundines moved through with 160 Sand Martins, 2500 Swallows and 450 House Martins along with a Marsh Harrier, two Snipe, seven Tree Pipits, two Grey Wagtails, 7 Goldfinches and a Siskin. In the bushes, four Lesser Whitethroats and four Blackcaps, 20 Chiffchaffs and a Spotted Flycatcher were of interest. A Kingfisher was also seen at the Long Pits.

At sea, the first two Brent Geese of the autumn were seen along with a Pintail, an Avocet and two Arctic Skuas. There was a second-winter Mediterranean Gull, six Little Gulls, three Yellow-legged Gulls and an Arctic Tern at the Patch.
15th Visible migrants included single Turtle Dove and Kingfisher, 18 Tree Pipits, 270 Meadow Pipits, ten Grey Wagtails, 11 Goldfinches, seven Siskins whilst grounded migrants included two Ring Ouzels, seven Lesser Whitethroats, 15 Blackcaps, 50 Chiffchaffs, a Pied Flycatcher, three Tree Sparrows, a male Bullfinch and nine Reed Buntings. There was also some evidence of raptor movement with a Marsh Harrier, six Sparrowhawks and a Peregrine Falcon being seen.

At sea, a few wildfowl were seen including 19 Brent Geese and 144 Wigeon along with eight Arctic and two Great Skuas during the day whilst the Patch held three Yellow-legged Gulls and five Arctic Terns.

16th Visible migrants included a Great Spotted Woodpecker, 730 Swallows, 360 House Martins, 27 Tree Pipits, 180 Meadow Pipits, seven Yellow Wagtails, 15 Grey Wagtails, 15 Goldfinches, three Siskins and 31 Reed Buntings.

There were also good numbers of grounded migrants with the following of note; a Whinchat, three Song Thrushes, a Sedge Warbler, a Reed Warbler, four Lesser Whitethroats, four Blackcaps, 95 Chiffchaffs, four Goldcrests and a Firecrest whilst a Pheasant was also seen. 

There was little movement at sea except for 28 Brent Geese, 49 Wigeon, 19 Teal and two Arctic Skuas and the Patch held a second-winter Mediterranean Gull, three Little Gulls, three Yellow-legged Gulls and three Arctic Terns.
17th A large arrival of Chiffchaffs occurred with at least 150 in the area but other migrants were generally scarce with just five Reed Warblers, five Lesser Whitethroats, a Garden Warbler, two Blackcaps, 12 Willow Warblers, a Firecrest, eight Goldcrests and a Spotted Flycatcher. Visible migrants included five Sparrowhawks, 300 Swallows, 2000 House Martins, 14 Tree Pipits and five Grey Wagtails. 

Very little change at the Patch where the second-winter Mediterranean Gull, two Little Gulls, three Yellow-legged Gulls and five Arctic Terns were seen.

18th Another decent arrival of Chiffchaffs occurred with at least 100 in the area but other migrants were generally scarce again with a Turtle Dove, six Reed Warblers, ten Lesser Whitethroats, two Blackcaps and three Goldcrests. Visible migrants included three Sparrowhawks, 1230 Swallows, seven Tree Pipits, two Rock Pipits, three Grey Wagtails and two Siskins. There was very little change offshore with the second-winter Mediterranean Gull and two juvenile Arctic Terns still present.
19th Chiffchaffs continue to pass through in good numbers with 75 birds in the area today and also an increase in Firecrests occurred with five being seen. Other grounded migrants included a Turtle Dove, three Reed Warblers, three Lesser Whitethroats, ten Blackcaps, 20 Goldcrests and a Spotted Flycatcher. 

House Martins

Firecrest
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Visible migration was dominated by hirundines with 2500 Swallows and 1500   House Martins passing through along with ten Tree Pipits, 330 Meadow Pipits, eight Yellow and seven Grey Wagtails. 
20th A good visible migration with a Marsh Harrier, a Swift, at least 2000 Swallows and 5000 House Martins, 18 Tree Pipits, 350 Meadow Pipits, five Yellow and 15 Grey Wagtails and 25 Goldfinches. Small numbers of migrants continue to arrive in the bushes with three Great Spotted Woodpeckers, three Black Redstarts, a Redstart, four Reed Warblers, 12 Blackcaps, 50 Chiffchaffs, five Willow Warblers and ten Goldcrests.

There were three Little Gulls, a second-winter Mediterranean Gull and a juvenile Arctic Tern at the Patch.

Also, of interest, two Common Cranes flew over the RSPB Reserve.
21st Another day of good visible migration with two Sparrowhawks, 3500 Swallows and 5000 House Martins, eight Tree Pipits, 350 Meadow Pipits, nine Yellow and nine Grey Wagtails and 23 Reed Buntings and the highlight of the day, a White Stork seen from the Observatory between 1135 and 1150hrs. Large numbers of Chffchaffs arrived again with at least 100 in the area along with small numbers of other migrants including a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Redstart, three Reed Warblers, 10 Lesser Whitethroats, 16 Blackcaps and a Firecrest.
22nd An excellent morning of visible migration with two highlights in the forms of a Common Crane and a White Stork, both of which ended up flying out to sea. Raptors were also a notable feature with three Marsh Harriers, six Sparrowhawks, at least 15 Kestrels and four Peregrine Falcons. Other visible migrants included 1600 Swallows and 1250 House Martins, four Tree Pipits, 600 Meadow Pipits, 13 Yellow and two Grey Wagtails, 80 Goldfinch and 36 Reed Buntings. In the bushes there was a Great Spotted Woodpecker, two Whinchats, two Lesser Whitethroats, four Blackcaps, 60 Chiffchaffs and a Firecrest.

There were a few birds at the Patch including five Little Gulls and two Arctic Terns and on the beach at the fishing boats there were unusually large numbers of waders with eight Ringed Plovers of the race tundrae and 180 Sanderlings of note.
23rd

At sea, the first Red-throated Diver of the autumn, 175 Brent Geese and nine Arctic Skuas were seen and there were seven Little Gulls and three Arctic Terns at the Patch and two Mediterranean Gulls offshore.

Little Gull

Mediterranean Gull
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A Peregrine Falcon arrived from the south and a Merlin was hunting over the beach.

There was a steady visible migration during the morning with four Grey Herons arriving along with 300 Swallows, 180 Meadow Pipits, three Rock Pipits, two Grey Wagtails, 25 Pied Wagtails, five Bramblings, seven Siskins and 25 Goldfinches. Migrants in the bushes were scarce but included four Song Thrushes, a Lesser Whitethroat, five Blackcaps and 30 Chiffchaffs. Thirty-five Sanderlings were feeding on the beach below the fishing boats.
24th A disappointing day in strong NE winds with very little to be seen. Four Little Gulls, three Yellow-legged Gulls and three Arctic Terns and 80 Sanderlings on the beach were the only noteworthy birds.
25th Very limited coverage although a Whinchat, five Wheatears, three Blackcaps, 12 Chiffchaffs and a Sparrowhawk were seen in the area and the second-winter Mediterranean Gull, five Little Gulls, two Yellow-legged Gulls and two Arctic Terns were at the Patch.
26th A small visible migration occurred with three Sparrowhawks, a Merlin, 370 Swallows, 600 House Martins, two Grey Wagtails and 25 Goldfinches being seen whilst on the ground, a Whinchat, the first six migrant Stonechats, a Lesser Whitethroat, 25 Chiffchaffs and a Firecrest were found.

The second-winter Mediterranean Gull was still present and seven Little Gulls, two adult Yellow-legged Gulls and nine juvenile/first winter Arctic Terns were at the Patch.
27th A large movement of hirundines occurred with at least 1500 Swallows and 4000 House Martins passing through along with a Rock Pipit, five Yellow and five Grey Wagtails, 60 Goldfinches, three Siskins, a Redpoll and 20 Reed Buntings. There was also a small arrival of migrants in the bushes with a Redstart, three Reed Warblers, two Blackcaps, 60 Chiffchaffs, eight Goldcrests and five Tree Sparrows.

At sea, 96 Brent Geese and one Arctic Skua flew by during the afternoon and at the Patch there were three Little Gulls, two Yellow-legged Gulls and three Arctic Terns.
28th The movement of hirundines continued with at least 4000 Swallows and 300 House Martins passing through along with two Tree Pipits, eight Grey Wagtails, 10 Chaffinches, a Brambling,  five Siskins and nine Reed Buntings. There was also a small arrival of migrants in the bushes with a Redstart, seven Song Thrushes, single Reed Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat, four Blackcaps, 40 Chiffchaffs and eight Goldcrests.

At sea, 176 Brent Geese, three Arctic Skua and four Great Skuas flew by and at the Patch there were three Little Gulls, two Yellow-legged Gulls and an Arctic Terns.

Also of interest, two Great White Egrets were seen, firstly at Lade Pit and later flying over the RSPB reserve during the afternoon.
29th Despite a change to a south-easterly wind it was a quiet day with very few birds in the bushes and very little at sea.

Swallows (900) and House Martins (160) trickled through during the day and six Grey Wagtails were also seen. There was a Redstart, three Lesser Whitethroats and 30 Chiffchaffs in the trapping area and five migrant Stonechats around the Observatory. A total of 106 Brent Geese and four Arctic Skuas flew east and there were two Little Gulls and a first-winter Mediterranean Gull at the Patch and at least ten Yellow-legged Gulls on the beach.
30th Another very quiet day with just a Redstart, two Lesser Whitethroats and 30 Chiffchaffs in the bushes and a trickle of birds overhead including 440 Swallows, 275 House Martins, two Tree Pipits, a Brambling, 145 Goldfinches and three Siskins.

There was no sign of any movement at sea and at the Patch there were six Little Gulls, nine Yellow-legged Gulls and two Arctic Terns.