Recent Sightings

September 2009

With the combination of both winter and summer visitors and increasing numbers of passage migrants, September usually has a good range of species to offer, and this year was no exception. Hence Wheatear and Yellow Wagtail shared the reserve briefly with Whinchat, Stonechat and Redstart, while on the freshwater pits, numbers of Wigeon, Pochard and Teal increased steadily throughout the month.

Waders during September included small numbers of Knot, Ruff, Bar-tailed Godwit (above), Greenshank, Whimbrel and Common and Green Sandpiper, while Golden Plover became more frequent during the month, with 570 present on the 22nd. The Little Egret roost at Castle Water peaked at 87 on the 10th, while up to three Pintail were present at Castle Water mid-month. Hirundines included around 500 Swallow, 200 Sand Martin and 250 House Martin in mid September, while both Wheatear and Yellow Wagtail still occurred in good numbers. Other notable passerine migrants included up to 260 Meadow Pipit, and small numbers of Whinchat, Grey Wagtail, Spotted Flycatcher and Redstart, with the highlight being a Ring Ouzel on the 24th. Warblers were dominated by the Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler, with smaller numbers of Blackcap, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat and a Garden Warbler at Castle Water on the 23rd. In addition, signs of the advancing year were provided by the first Stonechat on the 24th, and a flock of at least 44 Corn Bunting on the 29th while Bearded Tit were regular at Castle Water throughout the month, with at least 15 on the 15th , and two Raven flew over the Beach Reserve on the 29th. Offshore, things were quiet for most of the month, with the occasional Brent Goose and up to two Sandwich Tern passing by. However, an exceptional sea-watch on 2nd September did turn up four Balearic Shearwater, three Sooty Shearwater, three Arctic Skua and 150 Gannet! A good selection of raptors this month included regular Marsh Harrier, with two on the 21st, Buzzard on three dates and singletons of Merlin, Hobby and Peregrine. In addition, a Barn Owl was present at Castle Water on the 9th.

Non-avian highlight this month was the discovery of a small breeding colony of Red-veined Darter at Castle Water. This migrant species was only confirmed as breeding here a couple of years ago with the discovery of cast larval skins from a new pool on Harbour Farm, so the discovery of mature larvae on the 21st and then emerging adults on the 25th was very exciting! Other notable invertebrates during September included A Western Conifer Seed Bug on the Beach Reserve on the 3rd, eight Clouded Yellow at Castle Water on the 29th, and the uncommon Brown-banded Carder Bee at Castle Water on several dates. Plants in flower this month included Yellow Horned-poppy, Sea Aster, Marsh Mallow and Bristly Ox-tongue.