17th - 19th April 2025

Saturday, 19th April: Overnight rain, leading to a cold, cloudy and grey morning, with just a few very brief showers and a strong E/SE wind force 6-7. Becoming slowly brighter thereafter with sunshine by afternoon, as the wind eased by just a notch.

Elmer Rocks: I was a bit limited for time this morning, but with the strong easterly wind, a sea-watch was the best option (0815-1045hrs), once I'd found a suitably sheltered spot. It was hard going as a solo observer and doubtless I missed a good bit during my session, but there was at last some migration over the sea, with plenty of waders on the move. Notable amongst these were Whimbrel, with several groups heading east close in, only to turn and head northwards inland, calling as they went, perhaps 'cutting the corner' to re-join the coastline further along. Bar-tailed Godwits were on the move too, but usually considerably further out, including one large flock of c.80-100, so I'll say 90! There were also two Arctic Skuas, but I saw very few terns though, probably passing just too far out for my eyes to see them.....

Great Crested Grebe - 5 o/s

Fulmar - 1W

Gannet - 12E

Brent Goose - 12E

Shoveler - 6E, dropped onto sea

Whimbrel - 48 E/NE

Bar-tailed Godwit - c.170E

Arctic Skua - 2E

Sandwich Tern - 10E

Whimbrel flocks heading inland from the sea

The lower photo here shows one of the flocks gaining height and going inland....note the straggler in cloud above the building!

And this one I'm not quite sure about....the images of the flock (centre, below the ship) lead me to think these birds are most probably Bar-tailed Godwits, perhaps or perhaps not with a Whimbrel at the back.

Thursday, 17th April: A mainly fine and sunny day, after a cool start, with a moderate NE breeze 3-4 at first, veering lighter SE later and feeling quite warm at times.

Elmer Rocks: There was no obvious sea passage during my brief looks at the sea this morning - all very frustrating - with just a few Oystercatchers moving about and two Great Crested Grebes on the sea near the rock islands. I therefore diverted to looking at the fields and hedgerows behind, but it wasn't very exciting there either. Two newly arrived Whitethroats and a Goldcrest singing and displaying were about the best, whilst three Blackcaps and four Chiffchaffs were logged, but there was no denying it was a disappointing visit.

Whitethroat at Elmer

Barnham Brooks - Shripney/Lidsey area: The remaining wet areas in the fields are now mainly dried up, with the exception of one small area, which although it looked good for finding waders, produced none at all bar a couple of Lapwings, plus six Gadwall and 20 Teal. It is to be hoped that the rain predicted for coming days may just improve the situation. Meanwhile, warbler numbers of the commoner species seem to have built up steadily over the last few days; I noted at least six Whitethroats, four Cetti's Warblers, two Reed Warblers, a Sedge Warbler, four Blackcaps, five Chiffchaffs and a Willow Warbler on my little circuit today. Other sightings included Kestrel, a pair of Buzzards, two Swallows, several Greenfinch, a Yellowhammer and a Reed Bunting.

The remaining flood pools at Barnham Brooks are all but dried up now, and it was quiet today with just a few Teal and a Lapwing or two as above.