Wednesday 23 July 2014

23rd July 2014

Weather;- ESE force 2, dry with hot sunshine (28 degrees in the estuary in the afternoon !)

A most unusual record for July occurred when a Yellow Wagtail (right) was feeding on the rocks at the north end with 3 Pied Wagtails early morning. The Pied Wagtails were undoubtedly the birds that have been here some time and probably bred on the island, while the Yellow Wagtail seemed to have attached itself to them for a short while this morning, it could not be found later. The first Willow Warbler to be ringed this autumn (left) arrived before midday (although another had been seen on the island 3 weeks ago), also moving through at this time were about 60 Swallows in a loose party and the first 9 Ringed Plovers of the autumn were on the shore, while the Turnstones are now up to fourteen. Seventy Little Terns fed with about 700 of the larger species, mostly Sandwich Terns which are now forming a regular roost on the east hoyle. A juvenile Wren was ringed, quite a surprise as no Wrens have been seen or heard this summer and it was assumed none had bred. As expected in this fine weather insects were thriving and 3 Emperor, a Migrant Hawker and a Southern Hawker were about, one of the Emperors caught itself in the SK heligoland trap, others were patrolling the main pond. Butterflies of 9 species were seen including 5 Graylings by the mast, a single Painted Lady and about 20 Red Admirals arriving in off the sea.
Emperor
Migrant Hawker



Grayling


Ringed:- 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Wren.    [ 596-33 ]
(DB,CJ, PGR+3)     photos CJ

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