18th April
Another day of Northerly winds, a little stronger than the last two days. First thing there was a Whitethroat on top of a bramble bush taking in the sun rise beside the sea defense wall at Longis Reserve, where a Cuckoo made a brief appearance around 9am. A report came in that there was at least one Yellow Wagtail on the horse fields above the reserve and a Common Redstart in Mannez Quarry. The hirundine passage continued at a slower pace today with around 100 birds through, predominantly Swallows. Sparrowhawks involving 2 or 3 birds are being seen regularly on the reserve and around Essex farm.
Ringing: 55 birds processed today, the large numbers of Willow Warblers had vitually all moved on overnight. A good variety today, some 18 species ringed included 2 Common Redstarts, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Swallow, 1 Stonechat and 2 Meadow Pipits. Blackcap was again the most common species and a UK ringed Blackcap on the reserve this morning was the Obs 10th Control so far this Spring.
