As ringers, we have to remain optimistic when scanning the weather forecasts. At Holme, anything more than a force 2 southerly fills us with doubt regarding ringing suitability, and you could argue we should have looked at the forecast last night and thought “hmmm, lie in?” It certainly felt that would have been the sensible thing to do, when standing at the obs at 06:00 this morning with a fair wind in our hair. No ringing, but a pair of Grey Wagtail heading west over our heads certainly helped to lift spirits somewhat. We tried the Meadow Pipit traps, but even they weren’t interested (and normally they are very interested).

And so, we turned to the sea, and a lovely little sun-trap in the dunes out of the wind. Although south-westerlies aren’t renowned for producing quality sea-watching, we still had a few bits moving west including 108 Common Scoter, 39 Sandwich Tern, a single Razorbill and a surprise Great White Egret. There was some light hirundine passage too and, in an hour and 20 minutes we had 127 Swallow, 43 House Martin and 6 Sand Martin. The undoubted highlight was an absolutely sublime Merlin which flew west at eye level and just metres from us; binocular filling but all too brief views were had. Giving the Merlin a run for its money though, was a Jay that briefly swung by the pines. Although a common bird on the coast, we rarely see them in the core area around the obs building.

Later on, a Short-eared Owl was near the NOA car park, 4 Bearded Tit were seen from NWT hide 3 and 7 Spoonbill flew west.

In the moths traps, there were 22 species with the highlights coming in the form a 3 Saltmarsh Knot-horn, 5 Rush Veneer, 1 Rusty-dot Pearl.

With that, it was time for the NOA AGM, a lovely chance to catch up with our wonderful members and share our news from the year.

Shannon

Saltmarsh Knot-horn, a nationally scarce moth