Friday, 28 April 2023

Friday 28th April

Numbers of grounded migrants were much lower than yesterday but increased numbers flew through during a day when a respectable 80 species were recorded. 

Seawatching from first light revealed small parties of waders and the occasional hirundine passing through along with a second summer Little Gull, following late news of one in the same plumage offshore on Monday, a drake Tufted Duck, a pale phase Arctic Skua, seven Great Northern, one high north up the estuary, and two Red-throated Diver, five Eider, five Fulmar, four Common Scoter, three Little Egret, three 'commic' Tern and a Mute Swan

During the day at least 175 Whimbrel flew in off the sea, with 52 Dunlin, nine Sanderling and four Bar-tailed Godwit whilst five Yellow Wagtail, a Tree Pipit, 115 Swallow, five Swift, the first of the year, five Rook, three Sand and two House Martin and a Buzzard passed overhead.

Over high tide 56 Sandwich and a Little Tern were offshore, with smaller numbers of Whimbrel and Dunlin, 32 Ringed Plover, a Greenshank and the Dark-bellied Brent Goose in the estuary.

Elsewhere after yesterday's arrival just eight Whitethroat, with a Reed Warbler at the Main Pond and a Wheatear on the Golf Course.

Wildlife News: The occasional sunny periods saw at least two Orange-tip on the wing along with a Peacock and, more unusually, a female Brimstone. Few bees or hoverflies were noted but a dance fly Empis femorata and several St Mark's Fly Bibio marci were active, and a male Panorpa germanica scorpion fly was new for the Recording Area. 

St Mark's Fly - Kevin Rylands

Panorpa germanica - Kevin Rylands

Elsewhere a Water Vole gave a rare good view at the Main Pond, Adder's-tongue has emerged in Greenland Lake, Subterranean Clover is in flower and the diminutive Eyelash Cup Scutellinia scutellata is brightening several damp, rotting logs.

Eyelash Cup - Kevin Rylands

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