Wed 31st Aug 22

With very little for me around the bushes, and not much more for Simon offshore we both ended up at the hide. While I was excited about 18 new Canada Geese on Leon's marsh Simon picked up a "very interesting" Gull that appeared from behind the island, after a few minutes of poor views the bird drifted back behind the island, Simons first thoughts were Sabine's Gull but as the last sighting was in 2016 could it be?. When the bird reappeared with clear views the ID was confirmed, nice one Simon. We spent the morning enjoying the Sab's so no other counts were made.

A Stint found on the scrape during the afternoon was confirmed as a Temminck's Stint as the light improved early evening (this was later decided to be not "beyond reasonable doubt" and was therefore not added to the year list)

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

09:29 Thanks for the heads up Matt. Gave it an hour before work 8-9 am. fairly quiet and light was challenging. Fulmar north 2 Oystercatcher and 5 Teal was all I saw Simon Cox turned up as I left and said he would give it an hour, so coverage will be good at least.

 Mick Rodwell

10:52 Juv Sabine’s Gull on the scrape.

11:21 Still on the scrape at the moment.

Max Martin

12:26 Showing well on Leon's Marsh.

Photo Max Martin©

Richard Jeffree

14:16 Its still here 14.15.

Pete Davis

16:42 Sabs just flown off high inland and lost to view 1640.

At the end of August the number of species recorded at the Haven this year stands at 154.

 

Tues 30th Aug 22

A Willow Warbler and 2 Lesser Whitethroats in the Dell, a Purple Sandpiper seen briefly on the sluice rocks, another Willow Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat behind the sluice and a Lt. Grebe on the brook on the way to the hide this morning.

From the hide: 40 Greylag, 60+ Teal, 7 Mallard, 7 Cormorant, 4 Lapwing, c100 Blk. H Gulls, 5 Herring Gulls, 3 LBB's, Cetti's Warbler (heard only), 2 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard, MR.

 

Mon 29th Aug 22

Very quiet around the bushes this morning just a couple of Lesser & Common Whitethroats in the Dell and a Turnstone was on the sluice with the gulls. MR

From the hide: 78 Teal, 6 Mallard, 12 Lapwing, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Ruff (NFY), 120 Blk. H Gulls, c20 Herring Gulls, 4 LBB's, 2 Caspian Gull, 8 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk. PRD/PL/RJ/ML/MR.

Photo Matt Lonsdale©

Photo Pete Davis©

Reports from today:

Richard Jeffree

10:41 Caspo on scrape this morning, Fulmar over approach road. Basically no migrants in bushes so far though.

Matt Lonsdale

19:20  Hobby, 2 Golden Plover and 6 Whimbrel this evening.

 

Sun 28th Aug 22

Just a short visit for me today, 5 Stonechat & 1 Whinchat were around the wood pile just north of the pillbox.

From the hide: 29 Greylag, 60+ Teal, 6 Mallard, 1 Shoveler, 12 Lapwing, 4 Redshank, 3 Snipe (RJ), 1 Greenshank, 1 Curlew, 10 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 160 Blk H Gulls, 6 herring Gulls, 3 LBB Gulls, 1 Cetti's Warbler (heard only), PRD/RJ/MR 

Reports from today:

Pete Loud

09:44 Very quiet at the Haven this morning. 3 Whitethroat was all I could find in the bushes, 1 Wheatear and 1 Whinchat by moth enclosure. Scrape,1 Blackwit, 67 Teal, 1 Shoveler and juvenile Marsh Harrier.

Richard Jeffree

11:34 Juv. Purple Sand French Pt. 4 Whimbrel past.

 

Sat 27th Aug 22

Reports from today:

Pete Davis

10:37 Male Redstart farm paddocks. Viewable from first gate on right from footpath to golf course.

Richard Jeffree

12:41 No change at the haven this morning bushes very quiet same 4+ Stonechat+ Whinchat at the log pile, much the same on the scrape 1 each of Green and Common Sand + 27 Curlew, 40 Teal, 2 Blackwit. Just leaving site when PD finds a cracking male Redstart at the farm, smart bird.

Photo Richard Jeffree©

 

Fri 26th Aug 22

A few bits and pieces about this morning including a singing Chiffchaff and a Cetti's Warbler at the Dipping Pond. 5+ Stonechat, 3 Whitethroat and a Chiffchaff were around the wood pile, and a steady movement of Swallows, Sand & House Martins were moving through.

Pete Davis picked out a juv. Caspian Gull (NFY) from the large no of Gulls on the scrape mid morning but it was soon flushed by a Marsh Harrier, the bird was later relocated on the sluice.

From the hide: 32 Curlew, 22 Lapwing, 1 Common & 1 Green Sand, 1 Snipe, 100 Blk. H Gulls, 3 LBB's, 4 Herring Gulls and a juv Caspian Gull, 44 Teal, 6 Mallard, 1 Buzzard, 1 Marsh harrier, 2 kestrel PRD/RJ/MR

 

Thurs 25th Aug 22

A steady movement of hirundines through the site on the way to the hide with lots of Swallows and quite a few House & Sand Martins and 1 Swift.

From the hide: 22 Lapwing, 1 Common Sand, 1 Green Sand, 24 Teal, 8 Mallard, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk. PRD/RJ/MR.

Pete Davis had a short seawatch late morning which totaled just 1 Oystercatcher before Richard and I arrived and then he turned up an Arctic Skua heading south, perfect timing.

 A Cattle Egret (NFY) was seen on the scrape around 14:00 before flying to join the cows on the marsh. Sadly no sign early evening, fingers crossed for the morning.