Saturday 31st August 2013

A quieter day although a Spotted Flycatcher was a new arrival, also in the bushes c15 Chiffchaff, five Whitethroat and a Reed Warbler. Offshore at least six Balearic Shearwater were seen heading south far into the bay, a Black Tern flew in off during the afternoon and the Red-throated Diver was still present.

Wildlife News: A helice Clouded Yellow was along the Back Path with another Clouded Yellow on the Point.

Friday 30th August 2013

Quieter in the bushes with 10 Chiffchaff, 6 Blackcap, 4 Whitethroat and single Willow and Garden Warbler with local interest in a Jay briefly and a large mixed tit and warbler flock containing a Coal Tit.  A single Wheatear perched along on a fence-line and one Yellow Wagtail on the Golf Course continued an unusual run here of this species being on the ground.  Three Sedge Warbler skulked in and around the Dune Pond.  Just a Peregrine, c.35 Swallow and 8 House Martin passed overhead. 

Thursday 29th August 2013

The bushes had 17 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 12 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 4 Whitethroat, 1 Wheatear and 1 Yellow Wagtail on the golf course.  2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Snipe and 1 Common Sandpiper flew over.

Wednesday 28th August 2013

The 12th Warren record of Pectoral Sandpiper was an unexpected highlight. It flew in from the west calling, landed briefly in the Bight before taking off and gaining height once again calling all the way. Waders that did remain on site included a Curlew Sandpiper and 78 Dunlin, also in the estuary 90 Sandwich Tern, two Mediterranean Gull and the Slavonian Grebe. Migrants numbers remain broadly similar but suggested some turn around in individuals with 17 Chiffchaff, 14 Blackcap, nine Whitethroat, five Wheatear, five Willow and a Garden Warbler. The first Tree Pipit of autumn passed overhead with three Yellow and a Grey Wagtail. Elsewhere a Balearic Shearwater flew south and the Red-throated Diver was offshore with 78 Shag, a Kingfisher was at the Main Pond and a good count of 86 House Sparrow were around the Carpark.

Wildlife News: Another arrival of whites with half a dozen Small Tortoiseshell, Painted Lady and Red Admiral and a couple of Clouded Yellow.

Autumn Ladies Tresses 26/08/13 © John Lee

Tuesday 27th August 2013

The third Green Sandpiper of the month was in Shutterton Creek early morning with 194 Redshank and three Greenshank, also in the estuary a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper with 139 Ringed Plover, c100 Dunlin, 97+ Sandwich Tern, a Knot, an adult Mediterranean Gull and the Slavonian Grebe. The overdue first Whinchat of the year was on Warren Point with other grounded migrants including 19 Chiffchaff, five Whitethroat, four Wheatear, two Willow, a Garden and a Sedge Warbler. Elsewhere three Grey and three Yellow Wagtail were overhead and two Arctic Skua and a Red-throated Diver were offshore.

Monday 26th August 2013

The first Pied Flycatcher of the year on Warren Point was the highlight with other minimum counts of grounded migrants consisting of 18 Chiffchaff, 13 Blackcap, eight Wheatear, eight Whitethroat, four Yellow Wagtail, three Willow, two Reed and a Garden Warbler. Waders included the first two Curlew Sandpiper of the autumn briefly on Finger Point with 171 Ringed Plover, 152 Redshank, 100 Dunlin, 14 Sanderling and a Greenshank. Also in the estuary 42+ Wigeon, the first significant arrival with small groups flying in off through the morning, three Mediterraean Gull, 70+ Sandwich and 18 Common Tern. Elsewhere two Arctic Skua were offshore mid evening.

Wildlife News: Two Clouded Yellow were on Warren Point with good numbers of Small White and Silver Y also seemingly new arrivals. Southern and Migrant Hawker and Common Darter are now out around the Main Pond.

 Common Darter 21/08/13 © Simon Thurgood

Southern Hawker 21/08/13 © Simon Thurgood

Sunday 25th August 2013

The highlight were two Wood Sandpiper that flew high calling over the Bight mid afternoon, a typical record for this rare Warren visitor. Also present over the high tide the first three Little Stint of the year, 110+ Ringed Plover, 100+ Dunlin, 10 Bar and eight Black-tailed Godwit, a Greenshank and a Common Sandpiper with 70+ Sandwich Tern, nine Teal, seven Wigeon, four Mediterranean and a Yellow-legged Gull. Offshore the first two Black Tern of the year were present with 15+ Common and two Arctic Tern, four Arctic Skua, the Red-throated Diver and 92 Shag. Elsewhere 15+ Chiffchaff, three Garden Warbler, three Yellow Wagtail and three Wheatear were on site.

Wildlife News: Autumn Ladies Tresses are now in flower through Greenland Lake and the Grey Seal was on Bull Hill.

Saturday 24th August 2013

The first Kingfisher of the autumn was in the estuary where wader counts included 470 Curlew, 150+ Dunlin, c130 Ringed Plover, 10 Bar-tailed Godwit, a Knot and a Lapwing. Also from the hide 140+ Sandwich Tern, four Teal, three Mediterranean Gull, a Wigeon and the Slavonian Grebe. Grounded migrants included four White and two Yellow Wagtail, 10+ Blackcap, six Whitethroat, three Willow Warbler and a Wheatear. Elsewhere six Balearic Shearwater flew south early morning, the Red-throated Diver was on the sea, a Hobby flew north with 120+ House Martin, 90+ Swallow and 10+ Sand Martin also flying through.

Wildlife News: The first Wasp Spider of the year was found in Greenland Lake.

Friday 23rd August 2013

Waders were the order of the day with the second Green Sandpiper of the year and a Little Ringed Plover in the estuary early morning. The Plover was still present over the evening tide with a Ruff and four Common Sandpiper also present. More regular Warren waders included 183 Dunlin, 176 Ringed Plover, 110 Redshank, 15+ Whimbrel, 12 Bar-tailed Godwit, 10 Turnstone, two Knot and a summer plumaged Grey Plover. Also in the estuary 106+ Sandwich Tern, 14 Little Egret, four Teal, three Wigeon and three Mediterranean Gull. Elsewhere a Balearic Shearwater was offshore, three Yellow Wagtail and three Sedge Warbler were on site with eight Whitethroat, three Wheatear and a Garden Warbler.

Thursday 22nd August 2013

A Turtle Dove feeding around the Visitor Centre early morning was the first autumn bird here since 2008. Other migrants included 10+ Blackcap, two Whitethroat, two Garden Warbler and on the Point two Yellow Wagtail and a Wheatear.  Over the evening tide 200+ Dunlin, 140+ Ringed Plover and c40 Sanderling were on the beach with 16 Whimbrel, four Bar-tailed Godwit, a Mediterranean Gull and the Slavonian Grebe in the estuary.

Wildlife News: Two Silver-washed Fritillary were feeding on Buddleia near the Dodgems.