September has turned out to one of the driest in recent years as a high pressure system has settled over the UK. This has brought calm weather with the wind predominantly from the north. and north east which has made excellent birdwatching on the north east coasts of the UK but a little quiet here on the South Coast.
However all was not lost as there was a constant trickle of migrants throughout the period which provided all with some good birdwatching. The highlights of the month were brief and I mean brief appearances of a Wryneck on 12th and a Great White Egret on 20th. Nevertheless the wader migration picked up with up to 9 Curlew Sandpiper, 10 Spotted Redshank, 6 Green Sandpiper and a couple of Little Stints moving through the Reserve.
Wryneck
Little Stint
Curlew Sandpiper
Church Norton continued to provide the focus for the passerine migration as Spotted Flycatcher, Redstart, Lesser Whitethroat, Whinchat and a Nightingale provided the show through the early weeks. Not to be out done the sky's were full of Swallow, Sand Martins and House Martins with the occasional Swift making a late appearance. Many of these birds use the reedbeds on site to roost.
Sand Martin (above) and Sand Martins going to roost (below)
With everything moving southwards for the winter, the first winter visitors have arrived with 500 Wigeon, 30 Brent Geese and 12 Pintail out in the harbour. On the pools Snipe and Water Rail have returned to there winter haunts.
The Warden, RSPB Crook of Baldoon