We parked up by the lighthouse and started flogging the scrub and brambles around the Observatory. The early signs were promising - singles of Wheatear and Stonechat, and plenty of Pied Wagtails on the shingle. Things were hotting up in the brambles as well - we picked up c. 10 'fresh' Willow Warblers, 2 Garden Warblers, plenty of Whitethroats and a Lesser Whitethroat. 2 Tree Pipits flitted around before heading on towards the Channel.
As we headed towards the beach, a Sparrowhawk dashed around the Power Station and we found a couple of Black Redstarts around the cottages. Towards the Patch we headed as the clouds started to darken and the rain started to fall. A juvenile Black Tern was a nice surprise blogging along with a typical marsh tern flight pattern. It was vastly outnumbered by Common and Sandwich Terns. Within 10 minutes of seawatching at the patch, we'd also found 2 Little Gulls, 2 Kittiwakes and 2 Mediterranean Gulls. Graceful Gannets effortlessly passed by a bit further out to the sea, whilst underneath them Harbour Porpoises and a Seal bobbed about.
The weather was by now particularly inclement, and we took shelter in the concrete block. Unfortunately the shelter wasn't particularly effective - the rain and wind flew in through the windows horizontally. Things got even worse when we realised we were sharing the hide with a very nasty customer indeed. The foul stench finally persuaded us to give up the Skua hunt and head to the more pleasant climes of the RSPB centre.
On the drive in we saw a Heron flying through the drizzle. Closer inspection revealed it was one of the Purple Herons that have successfully bred here this summer. Other highlights around the reserve included: Hobby, Marsh Harrier, Dunlin, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, Little Egret, Sedge, Reed & Cetti's Warblers and Yaffle.
Poor weather denied us a massive list, but it was still a good way to 'go'. I suspect the birds on the next blog post will be a bit more exotic!
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