Super Smart Sardinian

So a Sardinian Warbler was ringed and released on the 30^th of June at 5am. It then promptly disappeared giving no further views. This was annoying to say the least as I was asleep less than 1 mile from the bird when it was released (no mobile reception at the ringing site).  

3 months later on 25^th of Sept and who should re-appear in almost the same place but a Sardinian Warbler sporting a shiny ring. The 25^th just happened to be my day off so a quick dash back to St Abb’s from Edinburgh and I’m glad to say that I made it.

Over the last week the bird has been showing on and off and calling frequently. It is most definitely heard before seen. Its favourite area seems to be a small patch of Blackthorn scrub about 50m north of the boardwalk on the N side of the Mire Loch. Mornings are the best time while the bird is most vocal. It seems that during strong wind it retreats deep into scrub (sometimes for hours at a time).

I’ve now seen the bird several times over the last week and have watched it feed on blackberries and sing… bear in mind I have also spent a long time watching a Blackthorn bush blowing in the breeze. A crowd of up to about 15 folks have been visiting with most going away happy, and who wouldn’t, having seen such a smart looking bird in perfect condition.

 So a couple of questions remain: Where has it been for the last 3 months? It’s hard to believe that it could have been skulking around the loch all this time. The area is frequently visited by many birders and is also a ringing site. Although, if the bird was quiet, that gorse is pretty dense. Perhaps it has been just up the coast and is on its way back south. The final question is… Is it the same bird that was ringed back in June? Most likely! although without re-reading that ring who knows. St Abb’s has a good record for Sylvias. Ahem Marmora's.

Other birds of note today include, single YB warbler (we peaked at 13 on the 26th), Pied Fly, Spotted Fly, Brambling 2, Redwing 37, Song Thrush 8, Blackcap 1, Chiff 3, Mistle Thrush 6, Redstart, Goldfinch c 90 and Goldcrest 15.

That’s Knot Grass, it’s a moth!

It’s all in the title.

Found this bad boy on the 11/09 by the loch. Knot Grass caterpillar…. nuff said.

Bisexuals in the leaves!

Thought the title might boost the hits a bit. It’s all about the underside of an Oak leaf.

These are Silk button galls and were found down by the Mire Loch. They are fairly common in the UK and are found on the underside of Oak leaves.

The Silk Button Gall Wasp Neuroterus numismalis has two generations each year. The galls shown here contain the agamic (asexual) generation. The wasps develop inside the gall and fall to the ground with the leaves. They then overwinter on the ground and the females emerge in early spring and lay their eggs in oak leaf buds, forming a Blister Gall. The Blister galls then produce the males and females of the bisexual generation.

Hope that entertained you for a minute! Promise the next post will be more bird related.

Tea or Mothee?

Been away walking the East Highland Way last week. I’m now back in on the action and this is what’s been seen at St Abb's Head over the last few days.

East Highland Way Wildcamp

Birds

Noticeable movements of waders have been evident with an almost constant stream of Curlew moving south over the reserve. 4 Dunlin were on Bell Hill on the 26/8 and 4 Greenshank were at Millar’s Moss yesterday 27/8. A single Ringed Plover went south this morning and a Pectoral Sandpiper was reported on the 24/8.

A small fall of common migrants at the weekend brought 4 Pied Flycatcher as well as Tree Pipit, Spotted Flycatcher and about 5 each of Chiff and Willow. This morning 28/8 several Wheatear were fresh in, as well as a Whinchat in the walled garden and a single Pied Flycatcher by the Loch. Also 11 Willow Warbler.

Butterflies

Butterfly numbers are beginning to decrease now with only 4 species recorded on the transect this week. Still good numbers of Small Copper and Wall Brown as well as the White species. The flowering Privet has also been attracting an impressive number of Small Tortoishell and Peacock. No Clouded Yellow… yet.

Peacock

Small T

Small Copper

Wall on wall

Moths

A nice first for the reserve came in the form of a Least Yellow Underwing on Monday. First recorded in the borders in 2003 it has been spreading north and is now recorded frequently from coastal sites. Unfortunately the little bugger flew as I was photographing it so this is all I have.

Least Yellow Underwing

Rave-On!

Having been away for a week (kayaking, camping, cycling, island hopping and birding) it’s nice to be perched up at the lighthouse again. Having arrived back on Sunday it was clear migrants had landed… migrant butterflies that is!

Peacock and Painted Lady

 A mass of butterflies were adding a splash of colour to the now autumn looking grassland. Species in order of abundance seemed to be Large White, Small Tortoishell, Peacock and Painted Lady. Numbers were difficult to quantify but Large Whites were well into the hundreds.

It’s been a good year for butterflies on the reserve with 16 species seen so far including; Small White, Large White, Green-veined White, Wall Brown, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Small Copper, Northern Brown Argus, Common Blue, Grayling, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Dark Green Fritillary, Painted Lady and Speckled Wood. Speckled Wood having only been recorded once previously in 2004. This is clearly testament to the range of habitats available at St Abb’s Head… and the weather!

Dark Green Fritillary

It’s been fairly quiet on the bird front over the last few days with only a hint that things are beginning to move. Several Juv Wheatear have been lingering around the lighthouse. A single Dunlin was on Bell Hill scrape on 4/8. A single Greenshank and Snipe were seen at Millar’s Moss and small numbers of Swift, Common and Black-Headed Gulls have been passing the lighthouse.

Breeding bird highlights at the moment are the two broods of Little Grebe chicks on the Mire Loch… stripy little chaps. I’m now in the process of writing up this years Common Bird Census for the Mire Loch and surrounding area and it will be interesting to compare numbers with last year. Other breeders were showing off some spectacular aerobatics on the reserve yesterday as a family of Ravens flew over… CRONK CRONK!

Ravens

Linnet

The first dragonflies of the year have also been spotted recently, mainly Common Darter and a single Ruddy Darter these join good numbers of Blue-tailed and Common Blue Damselflies around the Mire Loch.

Ruddy or Red-Viened Darter? (i think)

Darter

Common Darter (i think)

Common Darter

Finally both Minke Whales and Harbour Porpoise have been seen almost daily, with a Minke seen less than 150m off the head this evening (close enough to hear it blow). Only when you see them at this range do you truly get a sense of scale. Shame it was just too dark to get any decent photos.

Abb's update!

Time for a quick St Abbs update...

 Birds: 

The cliffs are thinning and the carpet of Guillemots is looking very patchy now. Most of the jumplings have departed, probably encouraged by the calm seas and warm weather. They have timed it well, as over the last few days an increase in feeding activity has been clearly evident. Frenzies of thousands of Guillemots, Kittiwakes, Herring Gulls and Gannets have been feeding just off the head. Sand eels must be in plentiful supply. Despite the Guillemots departing, the cliffs are still busy with Kittiwakes, Shags, Razorbills, Herring Gulls and Fulmars all yet to fledge.

Little grebes have hatched a brood of 2 chicks on the Mire Loch… good to see after none bred on the Mire Loch last year.

CR Reed Bunt (ringed here)

Other birds of note include: A male RB Shirke on the 1/7. A single female Wheatear, the first for a while on the 10/7. A single Spotted Flycatcher by Northfield House 11/7. Small numbers of Black Headed gulls around Wellmouth, including a couple of this years fledgers. A single Bonxie flew over the Mire Loch on the 12/7. The female Mandarin is still present at Millar’s Moss. A single male Wigeon has been mingling with the Tufties on the Mire Loch. 

A seawatch on the 7/7 from 19:15 – 20:15 produced: Manxie 11N 3S, C Scoter 30N, Swift 4N, Curlew 4N, RT Diver 1N, B H Gull 7N and 3 Bottlenose Dolphin. Yesterdays (13/7) seawatch wasn’t so productive with just 5 manxie north between 18:50 and 19:30.

Cetaceans:

The first Whales of the year have been seen off the head. A Minke was seen on the 11/7 and 12/7. 3 Bottlenose Dolphins were seen on the 13/7 and Harbour Porpoise have been almost daily. 

Butterflies:

Common Blue

This week over 200 Butterflies were recorded on the transect, mostly Meadow Browns and Ringlets but also a good smattering of Common Blue, Small Copper, Wall Brown, Grayling, Northern Brown Argus and the recently emerged Dark Green Fritillaries. Day flying moths included, Yellow Shell, Silver-ground Carpet, July Belle and hundreds of Chimney Sweepers. 

The moth trap last night produced the largest and most varied catch of the year so far with the best being Brown-line Bright-eye, True Lover’s Knot, Flame Carpet and 5 Burnished Brass.

 

 

A few Gannets at the mighty bass

Getting arty at the lighthouse