7th August

A lovely fine, sunny and warm day that saw the first significant arrival of migrants of the autumn. Numbers on the ground hardly reached what would qualify as a fall but were welcome nonetheless, with 50 Willow Warblers, 30 Wheatears and 20 Whitethroats making up the bulk of the tally at the Bill; Sedge Warblers were noticeable absentees, with just a single there, whilst further variety came in the form of singles of Garden Warbler and Pied Flycatcher at the Bill and another Pied Flycatcher at Southwell. In was lively at times overhead as well, with plenty of Sand Martins and Swallows moving over Ferrybridge and the Bill, up to 200 Swifts over Southwell during the evening and singles of Grey Heron, Green Sandpiper and Greenshank over the Bill. Wader numbers also continued to increase, with 112 Ringed Plover, 105 Dunlin and 14 Sanderling at Ferrybridge by the evening. Sea interest dwindled, although there were still 3 Balearic Shearwaters lingering off the Bill for a good part of the morning.

Moth immigration either picked up a little or, perhaps more likely, there was more on the wing on a quieter night; highlights were few but did include an Olive-tree Pearl at Sweethill.


Pied Flycatcher - Southwell, 7th August 2015 © Pete Saunders