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August 31st
The rain clearly did not stop early enough for many birds to move. Thirty one birds were ringed including 16 Blackcaps. The latter appear to be in good condition with plenty of fat 3 and 4’s. Also of interest today was our second Grasshopper Warbler of the autumn which was slowly guided into the heligoland trap. It was unusual in that it was an adult bird. We also ringed an adult Lesser Whitethroat. Probably more than 99% of the warblers ringed here in the autumn are juveniles.
August 30th
It was not raining first thing but the strength of the wind and the forecast threat of rain prevented ringing. Instead some interesting recent recoveries.
The first involves a Blackbird ringed here on October 19th 2015, a time when winter migrants are arriving from the north. It was caught on the 11th June this year in Ostergotland, Sweden 1189km to the NE.
Secondly a Reed Warbler ringed as a juvenile on 2nd August 2015 in Northumberland and caught here this year on August 11th, so its 3rd journey to Africa.
August 29th
What breeze there was shifted and there was thin high cloud making it very humid. The change was enough to bring a wave of Blackcaps with 92 amongst a total of 127 new birds. Chiffchaffs are beginning to catch up with Willow Warblers ( six v nine).
August 28th
The same beautiful conditions and so it remains quiet. Twenty-one new birds included 15 Blackcaps.
August 27th
The continued calm warm weather resulted in a continued decrease in migrants on the ground. It was a big team effort as activity was kept going all day for the Open Day. Ninety birds were ringed. The highlight was the first Tree Pipit of the year. Blackcap was the commonest with 24. An indication of how successful the House Sparrows have been was the ringing of 14 of these, this despite the number of pulli already ringed in the nest boxes.
August 26th
Another calm morning and although there were less ringers we still got 79 new birds. This included 45 Blackcaps. They are moving in numbers about three weeks earlier than last year. It will be interesting to see if they finish earlier or if this is the result of successful and early breeding and they continue migrating to the usual dates. For the first time there were large numbers of Swallows and House Martins around but it was a bit warm for them to come low enough for us. The weather looks set fair for tonight and tomorrow when we have the SBBOT Open Day.
August 25th
Similar conditions led to more Blackcaps arriving and 53 were ringed amongst a total of 76 new birds.
August 24th
As often happens a slight change in the weather, from south-east to north-west gentle breeze, brought in more birds. Sixty six were ringed. Blackcaps have started and there were 38 but Willow warblers ticked along with 16. Two Spotted Flycatchers were the bonus.
August 23rd
Another glorious, slightly overcast, gentle south-east breeze morning. Hopefully migrants are keeping going as there was no increase in the ringing area ( although an arrival of Blackcaps was reported half a mile inland). Fifty nine birds were ringed but 41 of these were Starlings. A young male Redstart was a bonus.
The tale of the Stone Curlew has been unravelled. Photos confirmed it as a bird of the year. This means it was ringed on Salisbury Plain this year. Interestingly it came to us via Cheshire where its colour rings were also noted.
August 22nd
Early hopes were soon dispelled. Overnight it was overcast and any light breeze was from the south-east. To add to this most of the team could not make it in this morning.All this leads to ideal conditions we thought. One person kept going all morning and caught 46 new birds. This indicated autumn is advancing as it included 18 Blackcaps and two Goldcrests.
Belated thanks to Martin Collins who took the trouble to report the colour rings he could see on the Stone Curlew in Pegwell. We have checked with the UK coordinator of Stone Curlew colour ringing and we may need a bit more detail on the bird. Can it be confirmed as immature? and is there any other ring apart from the green and the black one?
August 21st
Early drizzle delayed the start and the overnight conditions did not encourage migration. Proceedings were brought to an early end by the thick smoke from a neighbours 8 o’clock bonfire! There was no evidence of movement with only four new Willow Warblers plus a retrap of one ringed two weeks ago. A Pied Flycatcher, the first this year, on the last round raised hopes for tomorrow as the weather settles.
August 20th
A bright light was shone across the ringing doldrums when a Kingfisher stopped by. It was a young male presumably kicked out of home and searching for viable territory. There were 18 other new birds including six Willow Warblers.
It is notable that the only controls (birds ringed at other places) this autumn showed up a week ago when there was an obvious arrival.
August 19th
Sixteen new birds included eight Willow Warblers but it remains incredibly quiet.
August 18th
More of the same and birds continue to dwindle. Only eight new birds were possible today.
August 17th
The unsettled weather continues to disrupt and there was no ringing this morning.
August 15th
A lovely calm morning with a bit of cloud started well with a Nightingale on the first round. By the end of the session we had ringed 79 birds. This included 26 Willow Warblers and 18 Reed Warblers. Blackcaps are slowly increasing with eight today. Suprisingly considering the big increase in Robins ticking away from the bushes only one new one was caught. There are still several adult Whitethroats around who are in the process of completing their post-breeding moult.
August 14th
The pattern continues and there was a big drop in nthe number of new arrivals. Only 28 birds were ringed but this did include another Spotted Flycatcher.
August 13th
More good conditions here but unsettled away from here resulted in a further slight drop to 104 new birds. Thirty moreWillow warblers led the way.
August 12th
Another calm day but there was more unsettled weather to the north and west. One hundred and fifteen birds were ringede. This included the first Sand Martin (we seem to have missed the main passage of these) and Spotted Flycatcher of the autumn. Blackcaps seem to be getting ready to go and six of these were ringed.
August 11th
A lovely clear night and morning meant migrants started leaving overnight and many took a break on our coast. This meant the first day of the ringing course was busy. 217 birds were ringed. 18 Garden Warblers were particularly notable and 80 Reed Warblers a return to previous form. Grasshopper Warbler was new for the year.
August 10th
No ringing this morning due to wind and showers however another colour ring sighting of interest.
Summary of rings for individual: 36548
Colour Code of ring Leg Ringing scheme Metal ring Age of bird Ringing date Ringing location Ringer
White 3RPA left Bruxelles E923525 pullus 28/06/2015 Total, Antwerpen, province of Antwerpen, BELGIUM 51,15N 4,19E Flamant, Renaud
Sightings for individual: 36548
White 3RPA v 12/10/2015 Audresselles, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE 50,49N 1,35E Steudtner, Jürgen
White 3RPA p 07/02/2016 Playa de Penarronda, Tapia de Casariego, Asturias, SPAIN 43,33N 6,59W Jardón, Gilberto S.
White 3RPA v 13/03/2016 Sada, A Coruña, SPAIN 43,21N 8,15W López Porto, Antonio
White 3RPA v 07/10/2016 Audresselles, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE 50,49N 1,35E Steudtner, Jürgen
White 3RPA v 09/10/2016 Audresselles, Pas-de-Calais, FRANCE 50,49N 1,35E Steudtner, Jürgen
White 3RPA p 10/01/2017 Santa Cruz de Oleiros, Ria A Coruña, SPAIN 43,21N 8,21W López Porto, Antonio
White 3RPA p 02/02/2017 Playa San Lorenzo, Gijón, Asturias, SPAIN 43,32N 5,39W Villar Sordo, Juan
White 3RPA p 02/02/2017 Playa San Lorenzo, Gijón, Asturias, SPAIN 43,32N 5,39W Julián Rufino Gómez
White 3RPA p 06/02/2017 Playa San Lorenzo, Gijón, Asturias, SPAIN 43,32N 5,39W Fernandez Gonzalez, César
White 3RPA v 27/05/2017 Barbâtre, Polder de Sebastopol, Vendée, FRANCE 46,56N 2,09W Poisson, Olivier
White 3RPA v 27/05/2017 Barbâtre, Polder de Sebastopol, Vendée, FRANCE 46,56N 2,09W Poisson, Eliaz
White 3RPA v 30/06/2017 Barbâtre, Polder de Sebastopol, Vendée, FRANCE 46,56N 2,09W Le Dreff, Alain
White 3RPA v 30/06/2017 Barbâtre, Polder de Sebastopol, Vendée, FRANCE 46,56N 2,09W Le Gall, François
White 3RPA v 30/06/2017 Barbâtre, Polder de Sebastopol, Vendée, FRANCE 46,56N 2,09W Marty, Régis
White 3RPA v 30/06/2017 Barbâtre, Polder de Sebastopol, Vendée, FRANCE 46,56N 2,09W Perrot, Annaick
White 3RPA v 30/06/2017 Barbâtre, Polder de Sebastopol, Vendée, FRANCE 46,56N 2,09W Perrot, Jean Roger
White 3RPA v 30/07/2017 Pegwell bay, near Ramsgate, Kent, GB 51,19N 1,22E Walton, Steffan
Total number of sightings : 17
August 9th
The settled starts to the morning continue and 49 birds were ringed before the breeze and sun made conditions unsuitable. This included 32 Willow Warblers and six Whitethroats. Hopefully the Willow Warblers are a reflection of a successful breeding season to the north of us.
August 8th
A short session before the rain arrived was worth it Forty-four new birds included 23 Willow Warblers and a Redstart. Robins appear to be finishing their moult as one or two new ones are ticking away each morning.
August 7th
Yet more Willow Warblers dropped in, this time 45 were ringed. Also of note was the first Sand Martin of the autumn.
Below is the history of the colour ringed Black-tailed Godwit from the Scrape- it is quite a story!
RO-YGflag was ringed as an adult male (top line is ringing) and has been recorded since at:
20.02.07 Sarilhos Grandes (Espinhosa W), Tagus Estuary, Setúbal, W Portugal
26.03.07 Landje van Geijsel, Ouderkerk a/d Amstel, Noord-Holland, W Neth
01.04.07 Landje van Geijsel, Ouderkerk a/d Amstel, Noord-Holland, W Neth
15.07.07 Rainham Creek, Medway Estuary, Kent, SE Eng
11.08.07 Rainham Creek, Medway Estuary, Kent, SE Eng
14.08.07 Rainham Creek, Medway Estuary, Kent, SE Eng
30.08.07 Rainham Creek, Medway Estuary, Kent, SE Eng
03.10.07 Montijo, Tagus Estuary, Setúbal, W Por
14.11.07 Baixa, Tagus Estuary, Setúbal, W Por
24.11.07 Hortas, Tagus Estuary, Setúbal, W Por
04.12.07 Samouco Restinga, Tagus Estuary, Setúbal, W Por
09.01.08 Montijo, Tagus Estuary, Setúbal, W Por
16.01.08 Lançada East, Tagus Estuary, Setúbal, W Por
22.01.08 Samouco V.Canto, Tagus Estuary, Setúbal, W Por
07.02.08 Espinhosa, Tagus Estuary, Setúbal, W Por
16.02.08 Moita Boavista, Tagus Estuary, Setúbal, W Por
18.02.08 Samora Correia, Tagus Estuary, Setúbal, W Por
07.03.08 Samouco V.Pinheirinhos, Tagus Estuary, Setúbal, W Por
04.04.08 Landje van Geijsel, Ouderkerk a/d Amstel, Noord-Holland, W Neth
20.08.08 Otterham Creek, Medway Estuary, Kent, SE Eng
23.08.08 Otterham Creek, Medway Estuary, Kent, SE Eng
30.08.08 Cement Works, Medway Estuary, Kent, SE Eng
03.09.08 Otterham Creek, Medway Estuary, Kent, SE Eng
06.09.08 Otterham Creek, Medway Estuary, Kent, SE Eng
08.09.08 Seixal Tank, Tagus Estuary, Setúbal, W Por
24.01.09 Seixal Tank, Tagus Estuary, Setúbal, W Por
18.02.09 Samora Correia, Tagus Estuary, Setúbal, W Por
23.02.09 Samora Correia, Tagus Estuary, Setúbal, W Por
27.02.09 Montijo, Tagus Estuary, Setúbal, W Por
03.03.09 Samora Correia, Tagus Estuary, Setúbal, W Por
15.03.09 Landje van Geijsel, Ouderkerk a/d Amstel, Noord-Holland, W Neth
19.03.09 Landje van Geijsel, Ouderkerk a/d Amstel, Noord-Holland, W Neth
29.03.09 Landje van Geijsel, Ouderkerk a/d Amstel, Noord-Holland, W Neth
10.08.09 Otterham Creek, Medway Estuary, Kent, SE Eng
13.08.09 Rainham Creek, Medway Estuary, Kent, SE Eng
17.08.09 Rainham Creek, Medway Estuary, Kent, SE Eng
26.09.09 Rainham Creek, Medway Estuary, Kent, SE Eng
29.09.09 Riverside County Park, Medway Estuary, Kent, SE Eng
30.09.09 Rainham Creek, Medway Estuary, Kent, SE Eng
06.10.09 Rainham Creek, Medway Estuary, Kent, SE Eng
16.10.09 Montijo, Tagus Estuary, Setúbal, W Por
15.02.10 Moita, Tagus Estuary, Setúbal, W Por
18.03.10 Landje van Geijsel, Ouderkerk a/d Amstel, Noord-Holland, W Neth
14.08.10 Rainham Creek, Medway Estuary, Kent, SE Eng
15.08.10 Rainham Creek, Medway Estuary, Kent, SE Eng
16.08.10 Rainham Creek, Medway Estuary, Kent, SE Eng
17.08.10 Rainham Creek, Medway Estuary, Kent, SE Eng
24.08.10 Otterham Creek, Medway Estuary, Kent, SE Eng
29.08.10 Bartlett Creek, Medway Estuary, Kent, SE Eng
18.09.10 Rainham Creek, Medway Estuary, Kent, SE Eng
20.09.10 Rainham Creek, Medway Estuary, Kent, SE Eng
24.09.10 Otterham Creek, Medway Estuary, Kent, SE Eng
26.09.10 Otterham Creek, Medway Estuary, Kent, SE Eng
29.09.10 Rainham Creek, Medway Estuary, Kent, SE Eng
14.02.11 Ze do Pinho, Tagus Estuary, Setúbal, W Por
22.02.11 Montijo, Tagus Estuary, Setúbal, W Por
07.08.11 Motney Hill, Medway Estuary, Kent, SE Eng
27.08.11 Otterham Creek, Medway Estuary, Kent, SE Eng
29.08.11 Otterham Creek, Medway Estuary, Kent, SE Eng
12.02.12 Hortas, Tagus Estuary, Setúbal, W Por
15.02.12 Hortas, Tagus Estuary, Setúbal, W Por
20.02.12 Espinhosa, Tagus Estuary, Setúbal, W Por
23.02.12 Sarilhos, Tagus Estuary, Setúbal, W Por
10.08.12 Alkborough Flats, Humber estuary, Lincolnshire, E Eng
20.08.12 Otterham Creek, Medway Estuary, Kent, SE Eng
07.10.12 Barrage de la Caserne, Mont-Saint-Michel, Basse-Normandie, N Fra
04.11.12 Seixal Tank, Tagus Estuary, Setúbal, W Por
01.08.13 Ballysadare Bay, Co. Sligo, NW Ireland
06.08.13 Motney Hill, Medway Estuary, Kent, SE Eng
03.10.13 Corroios, Tagus Estuary, Setúbal, W Por
18.10.13 Enguias Tanks, Tagus Estuary, Setúbal, W Por
18.10.13 Enguias Tanks, Tagus Estuary, Setúbal, W Por
05.02.14 Giganta, Tagus Estuary, Setúbal, W Por
06.02.14 Giganta, Tagus Estuary, Setúbal, W Por
07.02.14 Giganta, Tagus Estuary, Setúbal, W Por
11.02.14 Giganta, Tagus Estuary, Setúbal, W Por
16.02.14 Montijo, Tagus Estuary, Setúbal, W Por
10.03.14 Honselersdijk Griendplas, Westland, Zuid Holland, S Ned
17.08.14 Rainham Creek, Medway Estuary, Kent, SE Eng
15.09.14 Genêts, Mont Saint Michel, Lower Normandy, NW Fra
19.09.14 Genêts, Mont Saint Michel, Lower Normandy, NW Fra
25.09.14 Genêts, Mont Saint Michel, Lower Normandy, NW Fra
28.02.15 Landje van Geijsel, Ouderkerk a/d Amstel, Noord-Holland, W Neth
06.04.16 Berkel en Rodenrijs, Delft, Zuid Holland, W Neth
20.08.16 Otterham Creek, Medway Estuary, Kent, SE Eng
21.08.16 Otterham Creek, Medway Estuary, Kent, SE Eng
03.09.16 Otterham Creek, Medway Estuary, Kent, SE Eng
06.08.17 Restharrow Scrape, Sandwich Bay, Kent, SE Eng
August 6th
Clear skies and calmer conditions to the north of us meant that birds started moving and there was a good arrival at the Bay. 85 Willow Warblers made a significant contribution to a total of 109 new birds.There was also a Wood Warbler, six Reed Warblers and four Sedge Warblers.
Another colour ring sighting today. This time a Black-tailed Godwit on the Scrape. More details when we get them but it is a Portuguese colour combination. Keep those sightings coming!
August 5th
A calm morning but the previous unsettled weather seems to have deterred much migration. Thirty birds were ringed including 13 Willow Warblers and two each of Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, Garden Warbler and Blackcap.
August 4th
WATCH OUT!
No ringing today but a heads up to watch out for colour ringed birds. Over the last couple of weeks the German ringed Spoonbill returned for the third year. A Mediterranean Gull colour ring has been traced back to Poland and there are at least five more out there who have not been read yet. One of the Roseate Terns had a metal ring on each leg which is apparently a combination used on at least Coquet Island. Do let us know if you can add to this list.
August 2nd
Overnight cloud brought in some more Willow Warblers but the general outlook was very unsettled and there was little accompanying them. Thirty-one Willow Warblers, three Whitethroats and two Lesser Whitethroats were ringed.
August 1st
A beautiful calm morning meant there was a small arrival of migrants.78 birds were ringed including 38 Willow Warblers, eight Reed Warblers, seven Sedge Warblers and five Whitethroats. The bonus ball was a young male Sparrowhawk.