NIGHT HERON - Bembridge Ponds

Walked the footpath to Bembridge Ponds from St Helens Bridge and heard a Black-crowned Night Heron, really vocal, initially distant, then flew (practically) right over me at dusk (21:30), sound recorded. Also, a Bittern 'booming', several Reed Warblers in song, and a hobby hawking just south of the road bridge. Vis mig Spotted FC on 22nd (Bonchurch Down) and Wood Sandpiper (Laundry Lane) on 23rd. 

There's been a recent national influx of these into Britain, probably due to the drought conditions on the continent.  

Night Heron sonogram - Appears to show a kink - which is diagnostic for this species (referencing The Sound Approach team's website)

2020 sound recorded Night Heron for comparison:

Recent pics:

It's been a good spring for Wood sands at Brading, Laundry Lane. On occasions, been up to four in the 'triangle field'.

Ventnor from Coombe Bottom (day) and Bonchurch Down (dusk)

jonspar · Night Heron (20230517) Bembridge Marsh

Poms - SCP (YB Kite)

Evening sea watch at St. Cath's, 15:30 - 18:45, started alone, then joined by Mark B (and then ABr and a visitor). Winds had veered more southwards by mid afternoon. Broken sunshine/odd shower.  

Two Pomarine Skuas east the highlight - I guess today's south coast bigger numbers either went through the Solent or followed a different line (east Sussex had 50 odd), as can often be the case. Also, four Arctic Skuas, four Manxies, brent, and kittiwakes etc. Soon petered out around 6pm though. 

First Swifts over Ventnor this week. 

Painted Lady (Luccombe) on 7th. 

Misty day. Looking north from Nansen Hill. With Luccombe Chine in the centre and looking in the direction of Haddon's Pits (out of view over the crest of hill, left of centre). Mark had a Golden Oriole at HP on the 7th. I walked there and back - the habitat looking so great - the coastal manicured gardens could (and probably do) entice hoopoes etc..But as is generally the case with the island, with so much to cover, it's a challenging task. 

A Yellow-billed Kite was discovered at Lynnbottom Tip (landfill site) on May 11th. Suspected to be an escape (with a question mark), though hasn't been claimed as such - locally at least (Robin Hill etc). Created both local and national interest. [It was seen and photographed in Cornwall after it left the island]. 

Deterred by our presence, the (unringed) Yellow-billed Kite lingered for no more than a flyby. I suspect it'll be back tomorrow morning when it apparently stays longer - tho' access to the tip is limited.

Whilst the birds origins are questionable, at least it's acting properly. pic.twitter.com/SX84Q58V5M

— Ashley Howe (@Ashley_Howe1990) May 12, 2023

Bonxie and Manx

Evening sea watch, SCP:

16:55-19:30

Bright day, fairly light easterlies, E/ESE. A Great Skua east was the highlight (my first of the season and only the second reported so far?), obviously scarcer this year after being hit by avian flu last year. Conditions seemed right for poms too - but not a sniff this evening (as was reflected at other south coast watchpoints today - aside from one at Portland). A couple of Arctic Skua, RTD, whimbrel, and three Manxies of note. Easterlies continue tomorrow/April closes out... 

[Some context on IOW Bonxie records: the latest official annual bird report 2020 cites a total of 52 east that year up to May 3rd.]

The Melodious Warbler - Sudmoor Point

Bird found by Ian Ridett. Video by Iain Outlaw. 

Barwits - Easterlies - SCP

Good first movement of Bar-tailed Godwits this evening with 538 (east) at St. Cath's. Sea watch (on my tod) 17:25 - 20:25 (3hrs, till dusk). Also east: 1 Arctic Skua and four Whimbrel of note. When I left at 20:30, three Wheatears were grounded near and along the lighthouse road/fence line (interesting to see, given time of day). A few hirundines arrived in off during the session including one sand martin. One bat sp was zipping around. [Conditions: Breezy E/ENE. Bright. Pleasant evening]. 

Additional: a second evening sea watch at SCP (winds had changed to lighter easterlies) on Friday 21st, 17:00 - 20:30. More Barwits (219 east), Whimbrel (25), C. Scoter (26), Arctic Skuas (6), terns (commic and sarnie), and at least two Little Gulls east. [Herring Gulls roosted off the point at dusk, c300]

Nice sun set (19th).

Elsewhere: the quality has been a Black-winged Stilt at Brading Marsh/Laundry lane's 'triangle field' for the last few days (and continues), seen by most locals (many photos). It's in the same place the last one was back in March 2017. This spring the triangle field's pulled in Garganey, Ruff, and Wood Sandpiper as well (so far) to name a few. At least one Hoopoe report too (Brading/private garden/lawn). Plus an obvious arrival of groppers, hobby, nightingale, willow/chiffs, sedge/reed warblers, and ring ouzels (various spots) - the 17th being a particular 'fall' type day (my first Whitethroat on 17th). 

Easter easterlies - SCP - Little Gulls

Easter weekend/Sunday: a pretty decent sea watch at 'St. Cath's' this morning, 6:25 - 10:30 [4hrs], and some variety, enjoyed with a few local birders, Dave and co (six in total being quite a turnout these days). Sunny intervals, moderate SE/E. winds. 

Highlight(s) eastbound: 51 Little Gulls and a Garganey, several Arctic Skuas, and an in-off Yellow Wagtail. (Yesterday, a Brambling over Ventnor Downs).  

 

A recent noc-mig session at SCP had been disappointing. Save a local Barn Owl - briefly perched on the wall next to me. 

SERIN - SCP (Another Ring Ouzel)

Post a fairly staid sea watch at 'St Cath's' (early doors with Mark B and Gary H til 09:45), just after I packed up around 10:15 and whilst walking back to my car, the highlight was a single calling (flyover) Serin near the Lighthouse, initially seen heading Westwards away from me before switching back and East over the light house compound at 10:20. Classic time of year and conditions for one - Dungeness B.O had a 'party of three' today too [Variable onshore south winds, light SE to SW, overcast/sunny intervals]. But the sea itself had been stop/start with slim pickings (roughly 3.0 hours from 7am). Three Grey Herons seemed to arrive 'in off' and moved along the coast eastwards. 

Male Ring Ouzel at Ventnor Downs on 7th. Plus, a Lesser Redpoll and trickle of Swallows north. 

Sea watch totals per Gary (with Mark B)

Elsewhere: Tracy had 10 Ruff at Brading Marsh. Also been a couple of Large Tortoiseshells, singles at Newtown and Newchurch (James Gloyne). 

jonspar · Serin SCP20230405 1020c