Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory Blog: October 2016

Late October 2016

October 31st. A Waxwing was at Beach Car Park; a Lapland Bunting and a Snow Bunting on Millennium Ridge; and on the Mere 3 Jack Snipe and 2 Water Pipit. Around were 5 Pintail, a Woodcock, 17 Snipe, 8 Water Rail, 2 Kingfisher, a Green Woodpecker, and 2 Water Pipit.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 11 new birds: a Wren, a Robin, 6 Redwing, a Song Thrush and 2 Blackbird; and 3 retraps; a Blackbird, a Robin and a Redwing. Yesterday's controlled Iceland-ringed Redwing had increased from 56.7g to 61.3g on retrap today.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling yielded 18 new birds: 3 Wren, a Goldcrest, a Brambling, 2 Tree Sparrow, 2 Chaffinch, a Robin, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Goldfinch, 3 Greenfinch and a Blackbird: and 46 retraps; 2 Robin, 4 Chaffinch, 12 Great Tit, 6 Goldfinch, 2 Dunnock, 9 Blue Tit, 5 Long-tailed Tit, a Blackbird, 2 Wren and 3 Greenfinch.

Water Rail on the Mere, 31st October 2016.
Photo - Paul Neale

Jack Snipe on the Mere, 31st October 2016.
Photo - Paul Neale

Water Rail on the Mere, 31st October 2016.
Photo - Paul Neale

October 30th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 1500 Pink-footed Goose, a male Hen Harrier, a Water Rail, 8 Snipe, 2 Jack Snipe, a Green Woodpecker, a Kingfisher, 3 Water Pipit, an Icelandic Redwing, a Tree Pipit and 8 Corn Bunting. Going south were 11 Whooper Swan.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 11 new birds: 4 Goldcrest, a Robin, 2 Blackcap, a Reed Bunting, a Dunnock, a Blackbird and a Water Rail; 4 retraps: 2 Blackbird and 2 Robin; and a control Redwing with a REYKJAVIK ICELAND ring.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent resulted in 55 new birds: 16 Goldfinch, 11 Greenfinch, 8 Goldcrest, 5 Blackbird, 4 Great Tit, 4 Robin, 3 Chaffinch, 2 Tree Sparrow, a Blue Tit and a Wood Pigeon; 35 retraps: 14 Great Tit, 7 Blue Tit, 5 Goldfinch, 4 Dunnock and singles of Goldcrest, Blackbird, Wren, Coal Tit and Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Water Rail, ringed 30th October 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Iceland-ringed Redwing, controlled 30th October 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

October 29th. Around, including birds trapped, were a Jack Snipe, a Kingfisher, 2 Water Pipit, a Ring Ouzel, a Chiffchaff and a Bullfinch. 1500 Pink-footed Goose went to roost. Heading south were 127 Whooper Swan, 2+ Waxwing, 164 Tree Sparrow, 40 Rock Pipit, 63 Redpoll, 20 Brambling, 80 Chaffinch, 2 Lapland Bunting, 3 Snow Buntingand 4 Grey Wagtail.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 14 new birds: a Wren, a Goldcrest, 3 Robin, a Goldfinch, a Bullfinch, a Reed Bunting, 2 Dunnock, a Redwing, 2 Blackbird and a Ring Ouzel; and 7 retraps: 3 Blackbird, 2 Dunnock, a Great Tit and a Robin.

Water Pipit on Fenland Lagoon, 29th October 2016.
Photo - Philip Milns

Bullfinch, ringed 29th October 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Ring Ouzel, ringed 29th October 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

October 28th. Birds around included 545 Pink-footed Goose, 4 Merlin, 5 Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank, 2 Ruff, 8 Snipe, 2 Jack Snipe, a Green Woodpecker, a Kingfisher, 3 Chiffchaff, 5 Brambling, 8 Siskin and 8 Corn Bunting, Flying south were 10 Whooper Swan, 41 Siskin, a Hawfinch, 35 Chaffinch, 4 Brambling, a Grey Wagtail, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Rook and 13 Tree Sparrow. In off the sea came a Hen Harrier.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 17 new birds: 4 Goldcrest, 8 Long-tailed Tit, a Reed Bunting, a Tree Sparrow, 2 Blue Tit and a Blackbird; and 5 retraps: 3 Robin, a Blackbird and a Goldcrest.

October 27th. Around were 1000 Pink-footed Goose, a Pintail, a Marsh Harrier, 7 Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank, 2 Ruff, a Jack Snipe, 14 Snipe, 290 Golden Plover, a Green Woodpecker, 3 Rook, 10 Fieldfare, 20 Redwing, 7 Corn Bunting, a Crossbill and a Brambling. Going north were 5 Bean Goose, and south a Long-tailed Duck, 19 Whooper Swan, a White-fronted Goose, a Swallow, a Redpoll and 6 Siskin.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, provided 8 new birds: a Wren, a Blackcap, a Reed Bunting, a Robin, a Chaffinch and 3 Blackbird; and 8 retraps: 4 Robin, a Wren, a Blackcap and 2 Blackbird.
Offshore was a Harbour Porpoise.

October 26th. Birds around included a Yellow-browed Warbler, a Tundra Bean Goose, 1700 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Grey Heron, 5 Pintail, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Hen Hatrrier, a Buzzard, a Peregrine, a Merlin, a Purple Sandpiper, 8 Spotted Redshank, 15 Snipe, a Jack Snipe, 3 Ruff, a Skua Sp, 2 Chiffchaff, 55 Fieldfare, 5 Rook, a Treecreeper, a House Sparrow, a Bullfinch, 15 Brambling, a Lapland Bunting and a Green Woodpecker. Heading south were a Goosander, a Sandwich Tern, 4 Waxwing, 20 Siskin, 15 Tree Sparrow and a Swallow.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 13 new birds: 3 Goldcrest, a Robin, a Reed Bunting, a Dunnock, a Redwing, 5 Blackbird and a Sparrowhawk; and 5 retraps: 2 Robin, a Redwing, a Chaffinch and a Goldcrest.

Sparrowhawk, ringed 26th October 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

October 25th. A Pallas's Leaf Warbler was discovered at the side of Gibraltar Road north of Aylmer Avenue. In the Orchard was a Yellow-browed Warbler. Heading south were 300 Pink-footed Goose and 2 Swallow. Around were 2000 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Tundra Bean Goose, a Marsh Harrier, a Hen Harrier, 2 Short-eared Owl, 10 Siskin, 2 Brambling, a Firecrest, a Jack Snipe, a Woodcock, 1000 Teal, a drake Scaup, 250 Redshank, 500 Dunlin and a Merlin. Offshore were 15 Gannet, a Fulmar, 10 Kittiwake, an Arctic Skua, 25 Red-throated Diver, 3 Great Crested Grebe and 7 Eider. A Richard's Pipit was seen near the Outer Ridge.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 28 new birds: 3 Wren, 5 Goldcrest, 2 Blackcap, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Robin, a Dunnock, a Greenfinch, 2 Redwing, a Fieldfare and 7 Blackbird; and 12 retraps: a Wren, 4 Dunnock, 3 Robin, a Blackbird, a Redwing, a Goldcrest and a Blackcap.

October 24th. On Tennyson's Sands at dawn were 2 Tundra Bean Goose, 8 Pink-footed Goose, 3 Water Rail, 5 Pintail, 144 Black-tailed Godwit, 12 Avocet, a Greenshank and 7 Spotted Redshank, Birds around the reserve, including those trapped, were a Long-eared Owl, 200 Pink-footed Goose, a Marsh Harrier, a Green Woodpecker and a Kingfisher.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 31 new birds: 2 Wren, 4 Goldcrest, 2 Robin, 2 Blackcap, 6 Reed Bunting, a Goldfinch, a Greenfinch, a Dunnock, 3 Redwing, a Song Thrush, 7 Blackbird and a Long-eared Owl; and 9 retraps: a Goldcrest, 3 Blackbird, a Blackcap, a Great Tit, 2 Robin and a Redwing.

Bean Goose (1 of 2) on Tennyson's Sands at dawn, 24th October 2016.
Photo - Richard Doan

Long-eared Owl, ringed 24th October 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Long-eared Owl, 24th October 2016
Photo - Chris Tyler

Hen Harrier, 24th October 2016
Photo - Chris Tyler

October 23rd. In East Dunes were a Long-eared Owl and a Woodcock, early morning. Around were 60+ Pink-footed Goose, 15 Brambling, 100 Fieldfare, 5 Chiffchaff, 4 Spotted Redshank and 150 Golden Plover.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 22 new birds: 3 Goldcrest, 3 Robin, 2 Song Thrush, 9 Redwing, 4 Blackbird and a Fieldfare; and 6 retraps: 2 Robin, a Blackbird, a Blue Tit, a Wren and a Dunnock.

October 22nd. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Cetti's Warbler (on the Mere), a male Scaup (on the estuary), a Peregrine and a Green Woodpecker. Flying south were 200 Pink-footed Goose and 8 Swallow.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with James Siddle, Ian Thompson and Yvonne Benting, resulted in 35 new birds: 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Goldcrest, a Wren, 6 Robin, a Blackcap, 4 Reed Bunting, a Chaffinch, 2 Dunnock, 4 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush, 6 Blackbird and 2 Fieldfare; and 16 retraps: 3 Dunnock, 8 Robin, 4 Blackbird and a Green Woodpecker.

Green Woodpecker, retrapped 22nd October 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

October 21st. Rain showers early morning.
Around were 4 Tree Sparrow, 10 Brambling, a Rook, 11 Redpoll and 2 Woodcock. On the water bodies were 7 Whooper Swan, a Tundra Bean Goose, 238 Pink-footed Goose, 33 Little Grebe, 996 Teal, 60 Mallard, 44 Shoveler, 5 Pintail, 9 Water Rail, 8 Spotted Redshank, 16 Snipe and 2 Kingfisher. Going south were 4 Whooper Swan and 130 Pink-footed Goose.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 41 new birds: 4 Wren, 7 Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Robin, a Blue Tit, 2 Goldfinch, a Chaffinch, 3 Blackcap, a Dunnock, 4 Redwing, 3 Song Thrush and 9 Blackbird; and 7 retraps: a Song Thrush, a Dunnock, a Wren, 3 Robin and a Long-tailed Tit.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling provided 38 new birds: 2 Wren, 12 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, 8 Robin, a Blackcap, a Blue Tit, 2 Dunnock, 4 Song Thrush, 3 Redwing and 4 Blackbird; and 17 retraps: 2 Blackbird, 2 Wren, 6 Robin, 3 Dunnock, 3 Goldcrest and a Long-tailed Tit.

Mid October 2016

October 20th. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Woodcock, a Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank, 200 Fieldfare, 50 Redwing, a Green Woodpecker and 4 Stonechat. Heading south were a Great Northern Diver, 34 Whooper Swan, 430 Pink-footed Goose, a Pomarine Skua and the usual finches; and north-west 40 Pink-footed Goose.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, produced 48 new birds: 14 Goldcrest, a Wren, a Chiffchaff, 10 Robin, 2 Blackcap, 2 Dunnock, 3 Song Thrush, 4 Redwing, 10 Blackbird and a Woodcock; and 20 retraps: 7 Robin, 2 Goldcrest, 3 Blackbird, a Wren, 2 Dunnock, a Song Thrush and 4 Long-tailed Tit.

Woodcock, ringed 20th October 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

October 19th. Around were 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Stonechat, 6 Chiffchaff, a Wheatear, a Ring Ouzel, a Marsh Harrier, 193 Brent Goose, 300 Wigeon, a Grey Wagtail, 18 Brambling and 25 Tree Sparrow. A male Hen Harrier flushed up a Jack Snipe on the Old Saltmarsh. The morning high tide produced 9000 Oystercatcher, 60000 Knot and 4500 Bar-tailed Godwit. Flying south were 21 Whooper Swan, 600 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Swallow, a House Martin, a Lapland Bunting, 8 Yellowhammer and an assortment of finches. In off the sea came a Short-eared Owl.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 39 new birds: 8 Wren, a Chiffchaff, 19 Robin, a Blackcap, 3 Reed Bunting, a Chaffinch, a Dunnock, 3 Redwing, a Song Thrush and a Blackbird; 6 retraps: 2 Robin, a Blackcap, a Song Thrush, a Linnet and a Goldcrest; and a control Robin.

October 18th. Moderately strong southerly wind; spells of rain from mid morning.
A Radde's Warbler was discovered along the Cycle Track near the Yacht Club in the afternoon. The Dusky Warbler remained highly vocal and highly mobile. At least 2 Yellow-browed Warbler still showing well at Sykes Farm. a probable Little Bunting disappeared into the Outer Ridges. Around were a Ruff, 15000 Knot, a Hen Harrier, a Stonechat and a Wheatear. Morning rain made the morning wader count impossible. Going south were a Goosander, a Grey Heron and a Yellowhammer.
A brief, restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 15 new birds: a Wren, 3 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, 5 Robin, 2 Lesser Redpoll, a Goldfinch and a Blackbird; and 5 retraps: a Wren, a Blackbird, a Dunnock and 2 Robin.

Fieldfare and Redwing, 18th October 2016.
Photo - Mel Hood

October 17th. Fresh south-easterly wind.
The Dusky Warbler was rediscovered in the evening. Birds around, including those trapped, were 3 Yellow-browed Warbler, a Firecrest, 5 Bearded Tit, 90 Pink-footed Goose, a Marsh Harrier, 10 Snipe, a Water Rail, 300 Fieldfare, 5 Ring Ouzel, 6 Stonechat, a Whinchat, a Grey Wagtail, 3 Swallow, 3 Tree Sparrow and 15 Redpoll. Wader movement at high tide involved 70000 birds. Heading south during a good a good day's visible migration were 2 Crossbill, a Twite, 12 Swallow, 4 House Martin, a Buzzard, a Kestrel and many finches, pipits and other species.
A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 49 new birds: 2 Wren, 28 Goldcrest, a Firecrest, 7 Robin, a Blackcap, a Dunnock, 3 Song Thrush and 6 Blackbird; and 11 retraps: 3 Robin, 2 Song Thrush, 5 Goldcrest and a Chaffinch.

Ring Ouzel with Hawthorn haw, 17th October 2016
Photo - Paul Neale

Ring Ouzel (above) and Fieldfare (below), 17th October 2016
Photo - Paul Neale

Fieldfare, 17th October 2016
Photo - Paul Neale

Ring Ouzel, 17th October 2016
Photo - Paul Neale

Firecrest, ringed 17th October 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

October 16th. Increasing south-easterly wind; rain from mid morning to early afternoon.
Around, including birds trapped, were a Richard's Pipit, 3 Yellow-browed Warbler, a Cetti's Warbler, 4 Bearded Tit, 35 Pink-footed Goose, 250 Brent Goose, a Hen Harrier, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Peregrine, a Merlin, 380 Fieldfare, 4 Ring Ouzel, 4 Stonechat, 2 House Sparrow, 10 Redpoll, 15 Siskin, 5 Water Rail, 7 Spotted Redshank and a Woodcock. Flying south were 700 Golden Plover, 5 Swallow, 120 Fieldfare, a Grey Wagtail, 4 House Sparrow, 22 Tree Sparrow, 13 Redpoll, 70 Siskin and 55 Brambling.
A brief morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 27 new birds: 8 Goldcrest, 2 Wren, 10 Robin, 2 Song Thrush, 4 Blackbird and a Woodcock; and 7 retraps: 4 Robin, a Wren, a Blackbird and a Redwing.
Over at Aylmer Avenue a brief ringing session by Mick Briggs resulted in 61 new birds: 49 Goldcrest, 4 Goldfinch, 2 Blackbird, 2 Robin, 2 Chiffchaff and singles of Brambling and Chaffinch; and no retraps.
A return visit by Mick Briggs in the afternoon sun provided a single late Barn Owl pullus from a nest box, probably a second brood for the resident pair.

Bearded Tits, 16th October 2016.
Photo - Paul Neale

Bearded Tit, 16th October 2016.
Photo - Paul Neale

Peregrine, 16th October 2016.
Photo - Paul Neale

October 15th. A Pallas's Leaf Warbler was discovered in East Dunes, and a Dusky Warbler was trrapped and ringed at Aylmer Avenue. Birds around, including those trapped, were 200 Pink-footed Goose, a Marsh Harrier, 3 Yellow-browed Warbler, a Cetti's Warbler, 2 Bean Goose, 25 White-fronted Goose, a Woodcock, a Jack Snipe, a Grey Wagtail, 300 Fieldfare, 400 Redwing, 200 Robin, 150 Goldcrest, 4 Ring Ouzel, a Whinchat, 2 Stonechat and 150 Brambling. On Tennyson's Sands were a Spoonbill, 2 Bearded Tit, 2 Ruff, 60 Black-tailed Godwit and 4 Water Rail. A Hawfinch was perched up briefly in the West Dunes before heading south.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 70 new birds: 2 Wren, 21 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, 17 Robin, 3 Blackcap, 2 Reed Bunting, a Cetti's Warbler, 2 Goldfinch, 3 Dunnock, 8 Song Thrush, 4 Redwing and 6 Blackbird; and 10 retraps: 3 Robin, a Great Tit, 2 Blackbird, 3 Goldcrest and a Dunnock.
Over at Aylmer Avenue an all day ringing session including a full roost catch by Team Briggs, (but only operating half of the nets available) resulted in 412 new birds: 122 Goldcrest, 68 Brambling, 61 Robin, 54 Goldfinch, 36 Redwing, 16 Song Thrush, 14 Blackbird, 12 Chaffinch, 6 Blackcap, 6 Greenfinch, 4 Blue Tit, 4 Dunnock, 2 Wren, 2 Chiffchaff, and singles of Dusky Warbler, Reed Bunting, Tree Sparrow, Great Tit and Fieldfare. The were also 2 retraps: a Robin and a Blue Tit.
The Dusky Warbler was a real surprise and is just the 2nd ever ringed by the Bird Observatory.

Pallas's Warbler in the East Dunes, 15th October
Photo - James Siddle

Dusky Warbler, ringed 15th October 2016,
Photo - Richard Doan

Dusky Warbler, ringed 15th October 2016.
Photo - Richard Doan

Cetti's Warbler, ringed 15th October 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Bearded Tit, 15th October 2016.
Photo - Russell Hayes

Magpie, 15th October 2016.
Photo - Paul Johnson

Water Vole, 15th Ocyober 2016.
Photo - Paul Johnson

October 14th. The Red-flanked Bluetail remained in West Dunes. Around, including birds trapped, were 3 Yellow-browed Warbler, a Firecrest, 8 Ring Ouzel, 300 Fieldfare, 200 Redwing, 2 Ruff, 2 Greenshank, a Woodcock, a Kingfisher, a Merlin and 5 White-fronted Goose. Going south were 205 Pink-footed Goose, 6 Sandwich Tern, a Lapland Bunting, 12 Redpoll, a Bullfinch and 105 Brambling; and north a Mediterranean Gull. In from the east came 2 Egyptian Goose with a Greytlag Goose.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, produced 86 new birds: 14 Goldcrest, a Wren, 35 Robin, 4 Blackcap, 2 Reed Bunting, a Great Tit, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Dunnock, 4 Greenfinch, 6 Redwing, 11 Song Thrush, 4 Blackbird and a Ring Ouzel; and 22 retraps: 2 Wren, 11 Robin, 3 Blackbird, 4 Goldcrest, a Song Thrush and a Dunnock.

Ring Ouzel, ringed 14th October 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

October 13th. Fresh south-easterly wind with showers.
The Red-flanked Bluetail was still present in West Dunes. Birds around included a Yellow-browed Warbler, a Spoonbill, a Great Grey Shrike, 3 Spotted Redshank, 5 Woodcock, a Jack Snipe, 2 Short-eared Owl, a Tree Pipit, 5 Stonechat, 2 Whinchat, a Hawfinch, 114 Brambling, a Mealy Redpoll, a Lapland Bunting and 22 Ring Ouzel. Heading south were 11 Brambling.

October 12th. A Red-flanked Bluetail was discovered in West Dunes in the morning. Around were a Yellow-browed Warbler, a Great Grey Shrike, a Long-eared Owl, a male Hen Harrier, a Marsh Harrier, a Merlin, 65 Pink-footed Goose, 7 Ring Ouzel, 200 Redwing, a Whinchat, 20 Redpoll, 20 Siskin, 30 Brambling and 3 House Martin. Flying south were 70 Siskin; south-east 70 Pink-footed Goose; and north a Swallow.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 71 new birds: 8 Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Wren, 19 Long-tailed Tit, 18 Robin, 2 Blackcap, a Chaffinch, a Goldfinch, 2 Great Tit, a Reed Bunting, a Dunnock, 6 Redwing, 5 Song Thrush, a Fieldfare and a Blackbird; and 8 retraps: 3 Robin, 2 Wren, a Song Thrush and 2 Goldcrest.

Long-eared Owl, 12th October 2016
Photo - Bryony Baxter

Red-flanked Bluetail, 12th October 2016.
Photo - Russell Hayes

Red-flanked Bluetail, 12th October 2016.
Photo - Paul Neale

October 11th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, a Great Grey Shrike, 90 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Merlin, a Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank, 3 Woodcock, a Swallow, 10 Ring Ouzel, 12 Stonechat, a Whinchat, 2 Wheatear, a Redstart, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 15 Siskin and 52 Brambling.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 86 new birds: 4 Wren, 2 Chiffchaff, 30 Goldcrest, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 16 Robin, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Blackcap, 3 Reed Bunting, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Tree Sparrow, a Blue Tit, a Lesser Redpoll, 4 Dunnock, 6 Redwing, 5 Song Thrush and 2 Blackbird; 11 retraps: 4 Robin, 2 Wren, a Dunnock, 2 Goldcrest, a Blackcap and a Long-tailed Tit; and a control Goldcrest with a STAVANGER MUS NORWAY ring.

Early October 2016

October 10th. Birds around included 2+ Yellow-browed Warbler, 3 Ring Ouzel, a Reed Warbler, 7 Spotted Redshank, a Kingfisher, a Merlin and a Peregrine. Going south were 185 Pink-footed Goose and 3 Swallow.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 73 new birds: 2 Wren, 9 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, 3 Robin, 25 Goldfinch, 4 Chaffinch, 3 Blackcap, 5 Reed Bunting, 3 Lesser Redpoll, a Dunnock, 8 Redwing, 3 Song Thrush and 6 Blackbird; and 12 retraps: 6 Goldcrest, 4 Robin, a Blackcap and a Chaffinch.

Yellow-browed Warbler, 10th October 2016.
Photo - Paul Neale

October 9th. Soggy start after heavy early morning rain.
Around, including birds trapped, were 3 Yellow-browed Warbler, a Great Grey Shrike, a Spoonbill, a male Hen Harrier, 2 Buzzard, a Merlin, a Water Rail, a Woodcock, a Greenshank, a Spotted Redshank, a Jack Snipe, a Green Woodpecker, 20 Ring Ouzel, 11 Fieldfare, a Redstart, a House Martin and a Lapland Bunting. Heading south were 2 Whooper Swan, 40 Tree Sparrow, 20 Rock Pipit and 5 Swallow; and north a Little Gull.
A rain-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 106 new birds: 2 Chiffchaff, 33 Goldcrest, 4 Wren, 14 Robin, 2 Blackcap, a Reed Warbler, a Brambling, 20 Reed Bunting, 7 Goldfinch, a Linnet, a Wheatear, a Dunnock, 4 Redwing, 6 Song Thrush, a Starling, 6 Blackbird, a Fieldfare and a Jack Snipe; and 7 retraps: 4 Goldcrest, a Wren, a Blackcap and a Dunnock.

Spoonbill (adult), 9th October 2016
Photo - Joanne Goodman

Fieldfare, ringed 9th October 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Red Admiral nectaring on Ivy, 9th October 2016.
Photo - Rob Watson

October 8th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 5 Yellow-browed Warbler, a male Hen Harrier, a Marsh Harrier, 10 Pintail, 3 House Sparrow, 13 Swallow, a House Martin, a Yellow Wagtail, a Grey Wagtail, 35 Chiffchaff, 30 Blackcap, 250 Goldcrest, a Wheatear, 2 Stonechat, 23 Ring Ouzel, 30 Fieldfare, 400 Redwing, 80 Blackbird, 140 Song Thrush, 300 Robin, 30 Brambling, 60 Reed Bunting, a Snow Bunting and a Lapland Bunting. Flying south were 52 Pink-footed Goose. A Great White Egret was seen in flight from North Building Ridge.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 75 new birds: 20 Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaff, a Wren, 2 Chaffinch, 15 Robin, 3 Blackcap, 6 Reed Bunting, a Goldfinch, 2 Dunnock, 12 Redwing, 8 Song Thrush and 2 Blackbird; and 9 retraps: 3 Goldcrest, 2 Great Tit, a Dunnock, a Blackbird and 2 Robin.

Ring Ouzels at Mill Pond, 8th October 2016
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Ring Ouzel at Mill Pond, 8th October 2016
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Stonechat, 8th October 2016.
Photo - Paul Johnson

October 7th.
Around, including birds trapped, were 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, a Hen Harrier, a Marsh Harrier, a Merlin, a male Scaup, 11 Pintail, 180 Brent Goose, 2 Water Rail, a Mediterranean Gull, 5 Sandwich Tern, a Greenshank, 6 Ruff, 6 Ring Ouzel, 2 Wheatear, 2 Stonechat, a Pied Flycatcher, 15 Brambling and 2 Siskin. In off the sea came a Woodcock. Going south were 120 Pink-footed Goose, 3 Redpoll, 2 Siskin and 2 Yellow Wagtail.
A long ringing session in East Dunes, with Kevin Hemsley, Mick Pearson and Duncan Hooton, provided 105 new birds: a Chiffchaff, 20 Goldcrest, 2 Wren, a Long-tailed Tit, 18 Robin, 13 Reed Bunting, 9 Goldfinch, a Chaffinch, 7 Blackcap, 3 Dunnock, 6 Redwing, 14 Song Thrush, 8 Blackbird, a Ring Ouzel and a Sparrowhawk; 24 retraps: 6 Robin, 2 Dunnock, 2 Song Thrush, a Blackbird, a Blackcap, 4 Goldcrest, 2 Wren, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and 5 Long-tailed Tit; and a control Robin with a HELGOLAND GERMANIA ring.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent provided 121 new birds: 50 Goldcrest, 16 Robin, 16 Goldfinch,7 Blackcap, 7 Greenfinch, 6 Chaffinch, 5 Great Tit, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Blue Tit, 3 Song Thrush, 2 Blackbird, a Wren, a Woodcock and a Green Woodpecker; and 22 retraps: 5 Goldcrest, 5 Great Tit, 3 Robin, 3 Dunnock, 2 Blue Tit, a Wren, a Chaffinch, a Goldfinch and a Greenfinch.

Ring Ouzel, ringed 7th October 2016.

Photo - George Gregory

Green Woodpecker, ringed 7th October 2016.
Photo - David Vincent

Woodcock, ringed 7th October 2016.
Photo - David Vincent

October 6th. Fresh easterly wind.
Birds around, including those trapped, were 6 Yellow-browed Warbler, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Ring Ouzel, 10 Spotted Redshank, a Kingfisher, 13 Pintail, 162 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Greenshank, a Merlin, 10 Rook, 3 Brambling, a Grey Wagtail, a White Wagtail and 9 Chiffchaff. Heading south were 3 Brambling.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, produced 115 new birds: 35 Goldcrest, 4 Chiffchaff, a Wren, 8 Blackcap, 22 Robin, 2 Chaffinch, 11 Goldfinch, a Meadow Pipit, a Reed Bunting, 11 Redwing, 18 Song Thrush and a Blackbird; 9 retraps: a Blackcap, a Goldcrest, a Yellow-browed Warbler, 3 Robin, a Chaffinch, a Great Tit and a Song Thrush; and a control Robin with a ZOOL MUSEUM DENMARK ring.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent produced 68 new birds: 23 Goldcrest, 15 Robin, 7 Song Thrush, 5 Redwing, 4 Blackcap, 3 Chaffinch, 3 Goldfinch, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Blackbird, a Chiffchaff and a Wren; and 4 retraps: 2 Chaffinch and 2 Great Tit.

October 5th. Fresh easterly wind.
Around, including birds trapped, were 7 Yellow-browed Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, a Pied Flycatcher, 4 Stonechat, 50 Robin, 15 Ring Ouzel, a Fieldfare, 80 Song Thrush, 40 Blackbird, a Wheatear, a Brambling, a Green Woodpecker, a Kingfisher, 2 Jack Snipe, 10 Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 6 Ruff, 2 Pintail and 50+ Brent Goose. Flying south were 40 Gannet, 3 Eider, a Great Skua and a Grey Wagtail; and north 19 Gannet and an Arctic Skua.
A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 43 new birds: a Wren, 7 Goldcrest, a Yellow-browed Warbler, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 15 Robin, 5 Blackcap, 4 Goldfinch, 5 Song Thrush, a Blackbird and a Kingfisher; and 6 retraps: a Robin, 2 Wren, a Dunnock and 2 Long-tailed Tit.

Yellow-browed Warbler, ringed 5th October 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Kingfisher performing head-turning defensive display, ringed 5th October 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Stonechats, 5th October 2016.

Photo - Ben Ward

Spotted Redshank, 5th October 2016.

Photo - Ben Ward

Lesser Redpoll, 5th October 2016.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

October 4th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 6 Yellow-browed Warbler, a Marsh Harrier, 50 Brent Goose, 6 Pintail, 69 Shoveler, a Merlin, 34 Stock Dove, a Greenshank, 9 Spotted Redshank, 3 Woodcock, 3 Water Rail, 2 Ring Ouzel, 50 Song Thrush, a Redstart, 2 Wheatear, a Stonechat and 2 Willow Warbler. Flying west were 70 Pink-footed Goose; north a Sooty Shearwater; and south 14 Pink-footed Goose and 2 Swallow.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 21 new birds: 6 Goldcrest, 3 Wren, 2 Robin, 2 Blackcap, a Redstart, 5 Song Thrush, a Redwing and a Blackbird; and 3 retraps: singles of Robin, Wren and Dunnock.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent provided 15 new birds: 9 Goldcrest, 2 Wren, 2 Great Tit and 2 Robin; and 5 retraps 4 Goldcrest and a Dunnock.

Redstart, ringed 4th October 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Song Thrush, 4th October 2016.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

October 3rd. Damp, misty start.
At least 17 Yellow-browed Warbler were on site today, even with two sites that held birds yesterday not checked. Fewer birds were on the east side of the reserve (although one new bird was trapped and ringed there) with more accumulating around Sykes Farm and the Plantation during the day, resulting in a total of 6 there by late afternoon, with a further 4 along Road Edge Sycamores. The day total included 2 at Boundary Sycamores. Also around were a Peregrine, a Water Rail, 4 Greenshank, 4 Ring Ouzel, 56 Redwing, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 16 Chiffchaff, a Reed Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warbler, 25 Goldcrest, 5 Brambling and 2 Siskin. Going south were a Lapland Bunting, a Grey Wagtail, a Rook, 22 Tree Sparrow and a Brambling; and north-east 2 Whooper Swan.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 31 new birds: a Goldcrest, 3 Wren, a Chiffchaff, a Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Robin, 7 Goldfinch, 2 Blackcap, 3 Reed Bunting, 2 Tree Sparrow, a Meadow Pipit, a Dunnock, 2 Redwing, 4 Song Thrush and a Blackbird; and 3 retraps: a Song Thrush, a Wren and a Dunnock.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent resulted in 31 new birds: 8 Goldfinch, 5 Chaffinch, 4 Goldcrest, 3 Wren, 2 Brambling, 2 Blackbird and singles of Willow Warbler, Robin, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Tree Sparrow, Song Thrush and Redwing; and 14 retraps: 3 Dunnock, 2 Wren, 2 Robin, 2 Blue Tit and singles of Goldcrest, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Great Tit and Yellowhammer.

Tree Sparrow, ringed 3rd October 2016.
Photo - David Vincent.

Yellow-browed Warbler, ringed 3rd October 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Brambling, ringed 3rd October 2016.

Photo - GeorgeGregory

October 2nd.
There was a major arrival of Yellow-browed Warbler, with 24 present on the Reserve, at many different sites, with 6 trapped and ringed in East Dunes. The previous highest daily count was 10. Other birds around, including those trapped, were a Spoonbill, a Willow Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Garden Warbler, 40 Goldcrest, a Brambling, a Wheatear, 2 Stonechat, 4 Ring Ouzel, 60 Redwing, a Peregrine, 2 Merlin, 35 Pink-footed Goose, a Curlew Sandpiper and a Greenshank. Heading south were 2 Lapland Bunting, 20 Brambling, 20 Rock Pipit, a Pomarine Skua, a Sooty Shearwater, a Puffin, 55 Pink-footed Goose; and north 3 Long-tailed Skua, 14 Great Skua, 8 Arctic Skua, 35 Sooty Shearwater and 5 Manx Shearwater.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 64 new birds: 6 Yellow-browed Warbler, 3 Wren, 11 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, 7 Robin, a Brambling, 8 Blackcap, a Garden Warbler, 4 Reed Bunting, a Chaffinch, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Great Tit, a Goldfinch, 9 Song Thrush, 3 Redwing and 5 Blackbird; 4 retraps: a Robin, 2 Dunnock and a Wren; and a control Kestrel. The Lesser Whitethroat was quite brownish on the back. The Kestrel bore a Museum Sciences Brussels 1000 ring.

Yellow-browed Warbler, ringed 2nd October 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Belgian-ringed Kestrel, controlled 2nd October 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Lesser Whitethroat, ringed 2nd October 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

October 1st. Around were 3 Spoonbill, a Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Greenshank, a Spotted Redshank, 9 Ruff, 30000 Knot, 4000 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3500 Oystercatcher, 5000 Dunlin, 800 Sanderling, 2 Water Rail, a Kingfisher, 3 Whinchat and a Stonechat. Flying south were 4 Whooper Swan, a Marsh Harrier, 94 Reed Bunting, 220 Meadow Pipit, 200 Goldfinch, 210 Goldfinch, 4 Rock Pipit, 6 Grey Wagtail, 74 Tree Sparrow and a Swallow; north a Manx Shearwater; and north-west 38 Pink-footed Goose.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Sam Edwards, provided 46 new birds: 4 Wren, 15 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Robin, 4 Reed Bunting, 6 Blackcap, 3 Great Tit, a Chaffinch, 8 Dunnock and a Blackbird; and 4 retraps: a Robin, 2 Wren and a Dunnock.