Barwits

The north easterly was almost gale force today and there was one bird that seems to be enjoying it, Bar-tailed Godwit. 

The Bill was a bit more lively this morning HERE with 39 Barwits, a couple of Whimbrel , a Manx Shearwater going west, a Bonxie and over 90 Little Terns in a feeding flock near the beach. A in-coming Cattle Egret was interesting. 

The Ferry still had the Garganey, Wood Sandpiper and the winter plumage Curlew Sandpiper and Avocet numbers were up to 15. Shoveler are hanging in there with 3 birds and a LRP and the summer plumage Blackwit is still there too. The 2 Greenshanks were still in the Channel. 

After some paperwork and some garden work I spent the afternoon at East Side HERE where there had been a clear influx of waders with a nice summer plumage Curlew Sandpiper (found by the North Wall crew earlier in the day), 65 Grey Plover, 8 Whimbrel (either a clear out or they were hunkering down from the wind), 35 Knot, 195 Dunlin and the bird of the moment an impressive 135 Barwits. Also had a Cuckoo calling from North Wall area and there was a bright Chiffchaff that I would like to have got more on. 

The forecast has a shift to a due easterly for tomorrow and a lighter warmer southeasterly on Friday which is basically a perfect wind for this time of year. Currently clearing the decks of all work and responsibility to do an all-dayer on Friday. 

Barwits moving east past the Bill

Great Skua

In-coming Cattle Egret- a Bill oddity

Summer plumage Curlew Sandpiper with Dunlin

Spot the Curlew Sand in with Knot, Grey Plover and Dunlin (the latter also below). As usual to have a proper look at any photos on blogger click on them first for a higher res image . 

Barwits in the harbour- the largest flock of 75 were in the centre again but there were also plenty closer in

Chiffchaff- the warblers were hunkering down in the strong wind but there were some sheltered spots along the East Side footpath. I would like to have heard this rather bright bird call or sing to rule out Iberian Chiff but it flew down the hedge and not much chance of it singing in the windy conditions. 

Jacob and I found a couple of moths by dusking yesterday evening. Sulphur Tubic, Esperia sulphurella (above) and Feathered Bright Incuvaria masculella (below).