18th April

Another day of Northerly winds, a little stronger than the last two days. First thing there was a Whitethroat on top of a bramble bush taking in the sun rise beside the sea defense wall at Longis Reserve, where a Cuckoo made a brief appearance around 9am. A report came in that there was at least one Yellow Wagtail on the horse fields above the reserve and a Common Redstart in Mannez Quarry. The hirundine passage continued at a slower pace today with around 100 birds through, predominantly Swallows. Sparrowhawks involving 2 or 3 birds are being seen regularly on the reserve and around Essex farm.

Ringing: 55 birds processed today, the large numbers of Willow Warblers had vitually all moved on overnight.  A good variety today, some 18 species ringed included 2 Common Redstarts, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Swallow, 1 Stonechat and 2 Meadow Pipits. Blackcap was again the most common species and a UK ringed Blackcap on the reserve this morning was the Obs 10th Control so far this Spring.

April 18th

April 18th

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Adult female Common Redstart – Longis Reserve

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Male Linnet at Giffione – photo Dr S Robertson

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1st yr Common Redstart – Longis Reserve

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1st yr male Stonechat – Longis Reserve

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Grasshopper Warbler – Longis Reserve

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Male Pied Flycatcher – Longis Reserve

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Blonde hedgehog ! This little beauty had a narrow escape having been in the path of a grass cutting machine on the golf course. Spotted in the nik of time he/she was brought to the Obs and relocated to a suitable area. Apparently the local population has more ‘blondes’ than regular hedgehogs. This one will live to ‘spike another day’!