Sweet Dreams AH

At long last I was able to enjoy some sunshine on the patch this weekend, with warm weather and blue skies on Saturday bringing the site to life (although of course, it was back to fog and thick cloud on Sunday). A few more spring migrants were noted as a result, including the first House Martins and Willow Warbler of the year, but two flyover records of patch megas stole the headlines – namely the third ever Whimbrel, and second ever Common Scoters.

Mandarin, Scotsland Brook, 14/4/2018.

On top of the above, a strong supporting case helped generate the feeling that spring is finally here – Crossbills on both weekend days, a Hawfinch, the second Peregrine of 2018 and the latest ever Bramblings top of the bill. A few more Swallows were present too, including seemingly some of the Slades Farm breeders.

The Willow Warbler, which was singing at Leg-of-Mutton Copse, was a relief as much as anything – this declining species seems to be harder to connect with in the spring (although 1-2 pairs do still breed) every year, and the 15th as an arrival date is strikingly late. However, hopefully a few more will be heard in the next few days as they move north through the country.

The Whimbrel was a most surprising addition to the year list, despite a notable amount of inland records on Saturday morning (including a bird over Leith Hill). Abel and I were sky-watching at Tilsey Farm when the loud, bubbling flight-call drew our attention to the individual, which was presumably on an overland leg of its migration to northern breeding grounds. This is the third record, after 9 over the Ridge on 27th July, and a stunning flock of 20 over Goose Green last August.

Just being able to sit out in a t-shirt on Saturday was uplifting, and the first butterflies of 2018 came as no surprise. Inevitably, Brimstone lead the roll call, with a Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell also seen. With a bit of a breeze it felt good for an Osprey, but despite the aforementioned Tilsey stakeout, and another on Broomy Down, there was no luck.

Blue Tit, Broomy Down, 15/4/2018.

The fog took hours to clear on Sunday, but with the first Thorncombe Street ringing session taking place at Broomy Down, attentions were focused here. Having scouted out the site a few weeks previous, Steve came down and he, Matt and I enjoyed a few hours during which time we trapped 8 birds, including a migrant Blackbird candidate.

The gloomy conditions were emphasised by a rather wintry avian cast joining us on Broomy Down – 3 Bramblings, a Crossbill, a Hawfinch and female Yellowhammer certainly not species associated with spring here. Despite less than optimum conditions it was a good haul, and looks likely to be the start of some long-term ringing studies here, which should link nicely with the new nocturnal migration recording taking place several times a week, as well as the longer-term vis-mig watches.

It was in fact noc-mig that stole the weekend show (which was no easy feat given the line-up), when at least 2 Common Scoters were recorded moving over Allden’s Hill at 22:39 on Sunday night. Truly astonishing stuff – this sea duck would otherwise not even feature on my radar here. Allden's Hill strikes again.

The recording (available here) is much clearer and definitive than the previous one, and even makes me question if the first one can be accepted as 100% certain (and consequently OK as the first ever Thornocmbe Street record). I’ll compare and contrast later, and make a decision.

The week ahead

White Stork (Category E!), private site.

Finally, it looks like a prolonged spell of southerly winds and sunshine is here (typically as I’m off to Spain this weekend!). This should get the migrants over the line no problem, but the possible issue (particularly for a site like mine) is that the delay may mean none choose to stop off for long. Wheatear is the particularly uncertainty in this sense, despite April records every year so far.

More guaranteed is the first Cuckoo, and it’s quite possible that Whitethroat and Garden Warbler may be on the year list by this time next week. I’d just be happy with some hirundine action, a few more Willow Warblers and pleasant weather.

There’s the chance stuff might not hang around long, but the flip side could be large volumes of bits moving, on both vis and noc-mig sessions. In terms of the latter, the forecast clear nights this week could be good for a wader. As fun as noc-mig is though, finding something yourself in the field is far more satisfying, but I don’t expect the optimum time for that just yet. Anyway, after the spring we’ve had, I’m just happy with the regular summer visitors for now.