15 August, 2011

Plenty of common migrants at the Gap this morning, and fortunately with four of us regular observers around coverage was good. The scarcest bird was probably a Green Sandpiper on the golf course, but other totals were:- 45+ Whitethroats, 15 Willow Warblers, 60 Sand Martins, 7 Reed Warblers, 26 Wheatears, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 100 Swallows, 7 Swifts, 3 Garden Warblers, 12 Blackcaps, 12 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Chiffchaffs and 3 Whinchats. On the shore there were 42 Sanderlings and 60 Ringed Plovers. There was a no-show from the Little Owls today, but local birds included 2 Peregrines, 2 Sparrowhawks, 3 Grey Partridges, 5 Green Woodpeckers and 4 Jays. As so often though, it was notable that much of the migrant activity had ceased by around 1100hrs