Overnight NE winds offered great potential but it rained through the early daylight hours preventing ringing until 0730. A good day of 114 new birds ringed then followed, with our first falls to speak of concerning Blackcap (21) and Whitethroat (21). Also amongst 19 species ringed were a Garden Warbler, 10 Reed Warblers, 4 Sedge Warblers, 11 Willow Warblers, 10 Chiffchaffs 1 Stonechat and 4 Meadow Pipits. Towards mid-day we caught our first Grasshopper Warbler of the Autumn and an unusual mid day catch of 11 Swallows, 4 Sand Martins and a House Martin.
Late addition: Swallow roost ringing this evening added 111 new birds 105 Swallows and 6 Sand Martins bringing the days new ringed birds total to 225.
On the golf course this evening at high tide were 18 Bar-tailed Godwits and amongst them 4 Grey Plover and a Knot. On Longis beach today singles of Dunlin, Sanderling, Whimbrel and Greenshank. This morning some 200+ Swallows gathered on the sea wall near the Target Wall and the flock of Greenfinches feeding on Longis common has reached at least 120 birds.
1st yr Grasshopper Warbler – Longis Nature Reserve – Photo -ABO
1st yr Sand Martin – Longis Nature reserve – photo – ABO