A good day for birding and ringing today. Fewer Swallows through, bar two 50+ flocks, but a marked increase in finches with a flock of 18 Goldfinches and several small groups of Linnet on Longis Common.  There were 5 Snipe and at least half a dozen noisy Water Rails around the pond.  After opening the nets at Longis a Great White Egret flew over headed towards Fort Albert. The male Shoveler was still present.

Ringing at Longis produced 86 birds (75 new) and at Mannez 73 birds (70 new). A total of 159 birds were processed, comprising 21 species the two sites, which included: 72 Blackcaps, 25 Chiffchaffs, 2 Willow Warblers, 3 Garden Warblers, 10 Whitethroat, 3 Reed Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 9 Meadow Pipits, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 1 Common Redstart, 1 Firecrest and 1 Wheatear.

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Firecrest – Mannez Reserve – photo Paul Veron

As we packed up early afternoon, a Black Kite passed over and it was seen shortly afterwards over the airport. There was a smart Mediterranean Gull along with a single Bar-tailed Godwit on Crabby Beach, a Knot on Longis beach and a Tree Pipit (over) Mannez.

Paul Veron reported: Common Sandpiper and Whimbrel (one each) – Chateau a L’Etoq

Chateau a L’Etoq,  35 minutes seawatch first thing; Great Skua 5, Arctic Skua  2 Brent Goose 1, Balearic Shearwater  1, Mediterranean Gull  1

Houmet Herbé  seawatch (15 mins) Balearic Shearwater  17, Sandwich Tern 2