Late October 2015

October 31st. Around, including birds trapped, were a Rough-legged Buzzard, a Peregrine, 2 Hen Harrier, 3 Black Redstart, 55 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 drake Pintail, a Woodcock, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Stonechat, a Blackcap, 50 Pink-footed Goose, 30000 Knot and 1800 Golden Plover. On Jackson's Marsh were 5 Ruff, and on Tennyson Sands 5 Avocet, 2 Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank and a Ruff. Going south were 3 Goosander, a Hawfinch, a Corn Bunting, and numbers of Brambling and Siskin, and south-east 35 Pink-footed Goose.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 34 new birds: 2 Goldcrest, a Wren, a Goldfinch, a Blackcap, 5 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Song Thrush, 21 Blackbird and a Woodcock; and 3 retraps: singles of Wren, Robin and Goldcrest.

Rough-legged Buzzard, 31st October 2015.
Photo - Tony Rawson
Rough-legged Buzzard, 31st October 2015.
Photo - Tony Rawson
Greenshank, 31st October 2015.
Photo - Tony Rawson
Brambling, 31st October 2015.
Photo - Tony Rawson
Siskin, 31st Octoner 2015.
Photo - Tony Rawson
Black Redstart, 31st October 2015.
Photo - Russell Hayes
Black Redstart, 31st October 2015.
Photo - Russell Hayes
Black Redstart, 31st October 2015.
Photo - Russell Hayes
October 30th. Continuing moderately strong southerly wind.
 Birds around included a Black Redstart, 2 Hen Harrier, a Peregrine, a Merlin, a Woodcock, 1950 Oystercatcher and 15 Redwing. On Tennyson's Sands were a Spotted Redshank and 2 Greenshank. Heading south were a Mediterranean Gull and a Short-eared Owl.

October 29th. Moderately strong southerly wind.
 A Pallid Harrier was seen flying south over East Dunes and then from the Wash Viewpoint. Also around were 2 Hen Harrier, a Marsh Harrier, 3 Merlin, a Peregrine, a Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk and 75 Redwing. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Greenshank. Flying south were a Whooper Swan, 20 Pink-footed Goose, 21 Goldeneye, 2 Goosander, 292 Wigeon, 15 Pintail, 152 Teal, 25 Pochard, 2 Scaup, 5 Red-breasted Merganser and a Black-throated Diver; and west 50 Pink-footed Goose.

Pallid Harrier, 29th October 2015.
Photo - Graham Catley
Pallid Harrier, 29th October 2015.
Photo - Graham Catley
October 28th. Rain from mid morning.
 Birds around, including those trapped, were a Woodcock, a Chiffchaff, 200+ Fieldfare, 150+ Redwing, 5 Brambling, 42 Siskin, 2 Redpoll, 4 Rock Pipit and a Peregrine.

 A brief morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 9 new birds: 2 Goldcrest, a Wren, a Chiffchaff, a Reed Bunting, a Redwing, a Song Thrush, a Fieldfare and a Blackbird; and 5 retraps: a Song Thrush, a Dunnock and 3 Goldcrest.

High tide near Bird Observatory, 28th October 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

October 27th. Around were 2 Black Redstart, 166 Pink-footed Goose, 700 Redwing, 50 Fieldfare, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard, a Pochard, a Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank, a Water Rail, a Treecreeper and a Kingfisher.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 21 new birds: 10 Goldcrest, a Goldfinch, 2 Redwing, a Song Thrush, 4 Blackbird and 3 Starling; and 7 retraps: 5 Goldcrest, a Dunnock and a Robin.

October 26th. Birds around included 2 Black Redstart, a Merlin, a Hen Harrier, 700 Pink-footed Goose, 37 Stock Dove, a Green Woodpecker, a Fieldfare and 160 Redwing. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Spotted Redshank and 2 Greenshank, and on Jackson's Marsh 4 Ruff and a Water Pipit. Going south were 28 Whooper Swan and 3 Fieldfare.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 18 new birds: 16 Goldcrest, a Goldfinch and a Blackbird; and a retrap Goldcrest.

October 25th. Birds around included 700 Pink-footed Goose, 780 Brent Goose, 3 Merlin, a Hen Harrier, a Mediterranean Gull, a Snow Bunting, a Bullfinch and 9 Redpoll. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Spotted Redshank and 2 Greenshank. Heading south were 41 Whooper Swan, 245 Pink-footed Goose, 960 Woodpigeon, 2 Marsh Harrier, 9 Brambling, 44 Siskin, 35 Tree Sparrow, 39 Redpoll and 2 House Martin.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 21 new birds: a Goldcrest, 3 Wren, 7 Long-tailed Tit, a Lesser Redpoll, 2 Robin, a Chaffinch, 3 Great Tit, a Dunnock, a Redwing and a Song Thrush; and 3 retraps:  singles of Wren, Robin and Great Tit.

October 24th. Fairly strong south-westerly wind.
 Around were 800+ Pink-footed Goose. On Tennyson's Sands was a Greenshank.

 A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 2 new Goldcrest; and 3 retraps: 2 Great Tit and a Goldcrest.

October 23rd. Flying south were 2 Serin, 44 Whooper Swan, 5 Rook and many finches and buntings. Birds around included a Firecrest, 800+ Pink-footed Goose and a Merlin. On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Avocet and a Greenshank, and on the Mere 3 Water Rail.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, provided 36 new birds: 18 Goldcrest, 3 Robin, 5 Reed Bunting, 2 Chaffinch, a Goldfinch, 2 Dunnock, a Greenfinch, 3 Blackbird and a Fieldfare; and 13 retraps: 5 Redwing, 2 Blackbird, a Great Tit, 3 Goldcrest, a Wren and a Dunnock.

October 22nd. Around were a ringtail Hen Harrier, 750 Pink-footed Goose, 10 Redwing and 10 Goldcrest. On Jackson's Marsh were an Avocet and 8 Black-tailed Godwit, and on Tennyson's Sands 2 Spotted Redshank and a Greenshank. Heading south were 4 Brambling.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, produced 12 new birds: a Goldcrest, 5 Robin, a Linnet, 3 Lesser Redpoll, a Reed Bunting and a Blackbird; and 10 retraps: 4 Robin, 2 Redwing, a Blackbird, 2 Goldcrest and a Blue Tit.

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling produced 22 new birds: 3 Goldcrest, 3 Wren, 4 Robin, a Goldfinch, a Great Tit, a Blue Tit, 4 Greenfinch, a Redwing, 3 Blackbird and a Kestrel; and 17 retraps: 2 Wren, 2 Robin, a Coal Tit, 2 Blackbird, 2 Blue Tit, a Goldcrest, 5 Great Tit, a Dunnock and a Greenfinch.

October 21st. Rain most of morning.
  The Dusky Warbler was seen again around the Cycle Track next to Tennyson's Sands. Other birds around included 15 Fieldfare, 65 Redwing and 35 Goldcrest. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Spotted Redshank and 2 Greenshank.