Trip reports

Sand Point - Thursday 11 September 2008

Friday, 19 September 2008

Things didn't really live up to expectations as migrants were not thick on the ground. Having said that, eight wheatears were located, probably heading south on their way to Africa.
There was a distinct lack of sea birds, but some other interesting species noted including kestrel, small flocks of long-tailed, blue and great tits, a female blackcap, a singing chiffchaff, four meadow pipits, two rock pipits, stonechat and goldfinch.
As things didn't improve, the group moved to Ashcott Corner where an osprey was present at Noah's Lake.
Also on view were two black terns and two common terns plus a few hobbies racing around the sky hunting for dragonflies over the reed beds.
It seems that the migration might well be underway as a constant stream of swallows, house and sand martins continually passed overhead.
Birds of prey were well represented and included a peregrine, two buzzards and a sparrow hawk and also a female marsh harrier.
The large lagoon, viewed from the old railway track, provided good sightings of between forty and fifty godwits, four ringed plover, six snipe, seven ruff and very many vocal lapwings.
The remaining areas of open water held lots of waterfowl, including groups of teal, gadwall, mallard and just one shoveler, plus some Canada geese and one greylag.
Two herons were seen and at least ten little egrets. There were also black-headed gulls, lesser black backs and herring gulls and one kingfisher was added to the list for the day.