9th July

A real end of summer feel to the birding saw a flurry of immature birds in the various trapping sites, including a third Lesser Whitethroat in two days at Culverwell, indicating that the local breeders are beginning to wander further afield. Visible migration was kicking into action with 36 Sand Martins overhead, whilst overnight our nocmig recordings revealed a strong passage of Common Sandpipers. A switch round on the sea saw the majority of the day's shearwaters being Manx with just two Balearics logged. A juvenile Yellow-legged Gull off the Bill and an arrival of 40 Black-headed Gulls at Ferrybridge added to the feel that things are beginning to wind down on the breeding front and autumn passage is gathering momentum.