15th September

A much better day weather wise and although there were clearly some new arrivals the spread in species was similar to how the week has gone so far. The 2 lingering Barred Warblers were the days main highlight while several passerine migrants showed an increase having no doubt arrived during yesterdays rain. Seen were 3 Tree Pipits, 223 Meadow Pipits, 4 Redstarts, 7 Whinchats, 89 Wheatears, 2 Fieldfares, 3 Song Thrushes, a Reed Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, 10 Blackcaps, 20 Willow Warblers, 3 Goldcrests, a Spotted and a Pied Flycatcher. There were also 8 Swifts, a flock of 10 Grey Herons at Westness, 2 Sparrowhawks and 5 Kestrels, 27 Ruffs, 24 Black tailed Godwits and singles of Green and Wood Sandpiper still.

Sparrowhawk (photo Mark Warren)