Late November 2016

November 30th. The Long-tailed Duck remained on Jackson's Marsh. Flying south offshore was a Long-tailed Duck. Around were 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 5 Red-throated Diver, a Fieldfare, 10 Redwing and a Treecreeper.

November 29th. The Long-tailed Duck was still on Jackson's Marsh. Around were 10 Pink-footed Goose, 600 Brent Goose, a male Hen Harrier, 2 Water Rail, a Woodcock, a Snipe and 2 Siskin.

November 28th. The Long-tailed Duck remained on Jackson's Marsh. Birds around included 200 Pink-footed Goose and 11 Barnacle Goose. Going south was a Lapland Bunting.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 9 new birds: a Blue Tit, 3 Goldfinch and 5 Greenfinch; 17 retraps: 5 Blue Tit, a Dunnock, 2 Wren, a Goldfinch, 7 Great Tit and a Robin; and a control Great Tit.

November 27th. The Long-tailed Duck was still on Jackson's Marsh. Around were a Great Northern Diver, 200 Pink-footed Goose, 200 Brent Goose, a Common Buzzard, 3 Water Rail, 4 Snipe, 270 Lapwing and a Goldcrest. Heading south were 6 Whooper Swan.

November 26th. The Long-tailed Duck remained on Jackson's Marsh. Birds around included 200 Pink-footed Goose, 430 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (including 59 juveniles - a high proportion), an adult Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Pochard, a Pintail, 8 Water Rail, 15 Snipe, a Green Woodpecker, 2 Water Pipit, 2 Goldcrest and 3 Snow Bunting.

November 25th. The Long-tailed Duck was still on Jackson's Marsh; and on the Mere was a Goldeneye. Around were 700 Brent Goose, 200 Pink-footed Goose, a Pintail, 350 Lapwing, 98 Black-tailed Godwit, a Woodcock, a Kingfisher, a Water Pipit, a Coal Tit, 5 Stonechat, a Chiffchaff, 6 Goldcrest, a Tree Sparrow, 20 Corn Bunting and 2 Siskin.

November 24th. Birds around included 500 Pink-footed Goose, 750 Brent Goose, a Pintail, 24 Eider, a Merlin, 2 Water Rail, 85 Black-tailed Godwit, an Avocet, a Mediterranean Gull, a Kingfisher, 1000 Starling, 5 Fieldfare, 10 Redwing, 3 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, 2 Brambling and 2 Siskin. Flying south were 2 Velvet Scoter and a Red-breasted Merganser. On Jackson's Marsh were a Long-tailed Duck and a Water Pipit.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling produced 7 new birds: 4 Goldfinch, a Blue Tit, a Robin and a Great Tit; and 27 retraps: 2 Robin, 7 Blue Tit, 3 Dunnock, a Wren and 14 Great Tit.

Drake Eider offshore, 24th November 2016.
Photo - Nige Lound

November 23rd. In the Plantation was a Yellow-browed Warbler Sp. Around were a 1800 Pink-footed Goose, 7 Barnacle Goose, a Short-eared Owl, a ringtail Hen Harrier, 3 Goosander, a Woodcock, 7 Water Pipit, 5 Goldcrest and a Chiffchaff. The Long-tailed Duck remained on Jackson's Marsh.

Long-tailed Duck on Jackson's Marsh, 23rd November 2016.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

November 22nd. Quite strong then decreasing south-westerly wind. Some morning rain.
 A Long-tailed Duck was on Jackson's Marsh. Birds around included 75 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Snipe and 2 Water Pipit.

November 21st. Rain most of day, making recording difficult.
 Around were a Woodcock and a Chiffchaff.

Mid November 2016

November 20th. Rain until mid morning, then some in afternoon.
 Birds around included 3 Tundra Bean Goose, 7 Barnacle Goose, 2000 Pink-footed Goose, a Merlin, 2 Woodcock, 83 Black-tailed Godwit, an Avocet, 3 Water Pipit, a Goldcrest and a Yellowhammer. Flying south were 7 Whooper Swan.

November 19th. Going south were a Great White Egret, 8+ Bewick's Swan, 43 Whooper Swan and 5 Siskin. Around were a Waxwing, 1000 Pink-footed Goose, 6 Barnacle Goose, 370 Brent Goose, 8 Pintail, a male Marsh Harrier, 2 Peregrine, a Merlin, 7 Water Rail, 7 Water Pipit, a Woodcock, a Chiffchaff, 2 Tree Sparrow, a Snow Bunting and 30 Corn Bunting.

Great White Egret, 19th November 2016.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

November 18th. Birds around included 800 Pink-footed Goose, a Merlin and 2 Woodcock.

November 17th. Around were 800 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Woodcock, 13000 Knot and 3000 Grey Plover. Heading south were a Long-tailed Duck, 2 Great Northern Diver, a Red-throated Diver and 2 Red-breasted Merganser.

November 16th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 80 Pink-footed Goose, a male Hen Harrier, a Marsh Harrier, a Merlin, 2 Goldcrest and a Chiffchaff.
 The final morning ringing session of the year in East Dunes provided a new Wren; and 2 retrap Goldcrest.

November 15th. Some mid morning rain.
 Around were 800 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Goldeneye, a Merlin, 6 Snipe, 350 Lapwing, 10 Water Rail, a Kingfisher, 4 Water Pipit, a Treecreeper, 3 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff and 20 Corn Bunting.
 A brief morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 4 new birds: 2 Chaffinch and 2 Blackbird; and 2 retraps: a Great Tit and a Robin.

November 14th. Some early morning light rain, then soggy.
 Birds around included 350 Pink-footed Goose, 17 Pintail, a Common Buzzard, a Woodcock, a Ruff, 7 Water Rail and 22 Corn Bunting.
 A brief morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 2 new Redwing; 3 retraps: singles of Blackbird, Goldcrest and Wren; and a control Goldfinch.

November 13th. Around, including birds trapped, were 1000+ Pink-footed Goose, a male Hen Harrier, 2 Woodcock, a Jack Snipe, a Water Rail, a Green Woodpecker, a Grey Wagtail, 2 Stonechat and 3 Snow Bunting.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 17 new birds: 2 Chaffinch, a Blackcap, 3 Goldfinch, a Reed Bunting, a Dunnock, a Greenfinch, 7 Blackbird and a Water Rail; and 9 retraps: 3 Robin, 4 Blackbird, a Goldfinch and a Wren.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent resulted in 35 new birds and 39 retraps. The new birds were 10 Goldfinch, 8 Greenfinch, 5 Chaffinch, 5 Blackbird, 2 Great Tit and singles of Blue Tit, Robin, Goldcrest, Chiffchaff and Tree Sparrow. The retraps were 11 Great Tit, 9 Dunnock, 6 Robin, 5 Goldfinch, 5 Blue Tit, 2 Wren and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Water Rail, ringed 13th November 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

November 12th. Rain until late morning, then again in afternoon.
 Birds around included 200 Pink-footed Goose and 3 Water Rail.

November 11th. Around were 2 Merlin, a Peregrine,  a Short-eared Owl, 2 Pintail, 450 Pink-footed Goose, 4 Snipe, 3 Siskin and a Brambling. Flying south were a Marsh Harrier and a Red-breasted Merganser; and north 2 Long-tailed Duck and a Purple Sandpiper. A Water Rail was squealing on the Old Saltmarsh at dusk.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 17 new birds: 2 Wren, 2 Goldfinch, a Chaffinch and 12 Blackbird; and 11 retraps: 6 Blackbird, a Linnet, a Goldcrest and 3 Robin.

Tide line Turnstone, 11th November 2016.
Photo - Nige Lound

Early November 2016

November 10th. Rain until late morning, then soggy.
 The BBC Coutryfile team filmed at the Bird Observatory.
 Around were a male Hen Harrier and a Woodcock.
 A brief morning ringing session resulted in 4 new Blackbird; and a retrap Robin.

November 9th. Rain most of day, making recording difficult.
 Birds around included a Woodcock.

November 8th. Frozen start, then foggy, then clearing.
 Around were a vocal female Northern Bullfinch, a Velvet Scoter, 10 Woodcock and a Snow Bunting. Heading south were 10 Whooper Swan and a Lapland Bunting.
 A brief, restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 13 new birds: a Wren, a Robin and 11 Blackbird; and a retrap Dunnock.

November 7th. Moderately strong northerly wind.
 Birds around included 5 Whooper Swan, a Grey Wagtail, a Water Pipit and a Long-tailed Duck. North flew 4 Little Auk, 2 Storm Petrel, 72 Kittiwake, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Gull, an Arctic Skua, a Razorbill, 14 Great Skua, 4 Velvet Scoter, a Great Northern Diver, 300 Common Scoter and 179 Gannet; and south 3 Little Auk. Another Little Auk was eaten by a Great Black-backed Gull. A drake Green-winged Teal was found on Tennyson's Sands viewable from Harvey's Hide.
 A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 11 new birds: 2 Robin, a Redwing and 8 Blackbird; and 10 retraps: 8 Blackbird, a Robin and a Redwing.

Drake Green-winged Teal 7th November 2016
Photo - Nige Lound

November 6th. Around were 200+ Pink-footed Goose, a Hen Harrier, 2 Merlin, 2 Peregrine, a Water Rail and 2 Woodcock. Going south were 6 Whooper Swan, a Long-tailed Duck, a Velvet Scoter, a Pomarine Skua, 11 Great Skua, 420 Kittiwake and 6 Brambling; and north 2 Great Skua.

November 5th. Rain mid morning then increased wind.
 Birds around included 2000+ Pink-footed Goose, a Peregrine, 2 Merlin, a Water Rail and a Woodcock. Heading south were 14 Whooper Swan, 9 Pomarine Skua, 5 Great Skua and a Waxwing; and north a Great Skua, 89 Kittiwake and a Grey Wagtail. Another Peregrine came in off the sea.
 A brief, rain-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 9 new birds: a Goldcrest, a Redwing, a Song Thrush, 5 Blackbird and a Sparrowhawk; and 5 retraps: 2 Robin and 3 Blackbird.

Sparrowhawk, ringed 5th November 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

November 4th. Around were 200+ Pink-footed Goose, 9 Pintail, a male Hen Harrier, a Common Buzzard, a Woodcock, 5 Water Rail, 2 Ruff, 6 Snipe, a Green Woodpecker, a Kingfisher and 17 Corn Bunting. On Jackson's Marsh was a female Common Scoter. Flying south were 2 Tree Sparrow, 2 Crossbill and a Lapland Bunting, and north a Great Skua.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 20 new birds: a Wren, 2 Goldcrest, a Robin, a Goldfinch, a Redwing and 14 Blackbird; and 9 retraps: 4 Blackbird, a Dunnock, 3 Goldcrest and a Robin.

Male Hen Harrier, 4th November 2016.
Photo - Chris Cullen

Adult male Green Woodpecker, 4th November 2016.
Photo - Chris Cullen

Female Common Scoter on Jackson's Marsh, 4th November 2016.
Photo - Chris Cullen

November 3rd. Birds around, including those trapped, were 8 Barnacle Goose, a male Hen Harrier, 2 Peregrine, 70 Black-tailed Godwit, a Ruff, 7 Woodcock, 2 Water Pipit, a Hawfinch flying around, and 5 Corn Bunting. Going south were 29 Whooper Swan, a Pomarine Skua, 3 Little Auk, a Shorelark, 2  Twite, 3 Crossbill and a Lapland Bunting. In from the east came 6 more Whooper Swan.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, produced 56 new birds: 4 Redwing, 47 Blackbird, 2 Fieldfare and 3 Woodcock; and 4 retraps: singles of Redwing, Goldcrest, Dunnock and Blackbird.

November 2nd. Around, including birds trapped, were 2 Tundra Bean Goose, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Goosander, 3 Pintail, 2 Peregrine, a Merlin, 3 Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank, 2 Ruff, 6 Woodcock, 10 Snipe, 74 Black-tailed Godwit, 29 Turnstone, a Kingfisher, a Rook, a Treecreeper, 2 Snow Bunting, 8 Tree Sparrow, a Bullfinch and 5 Crossbill. Heading south were 17 Whooper Swan.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 21 new birds: a Redwing, a Snipe, a Fieldfare, 14 Blackbird and 4 Woodcock; and 5 retraps: 3 Blackbird, a Robin and a Goldcrest.

Peregrine Falcon 2nd November 2016.
Photo - Paul Neale

Male Crossbill 2nd November 2016.
Photo - Paul Neale

Snipe, ringed 2nd November 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

November 1st. Birds around included a Waxwing, a Black-throated Diver, 3 Sandwich Tern, 7 Pintail, a male Hen Harrier, 2 Merlin, 1200 Golden Plover, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Sandwich Tern, a Ruff, an Asio Sp over New Saltmarsh at dawn, a male Stonechat, a Ring Ouzel and 7 Corn Bunting. On the Mere were 2 Jack Snipe and on Tennyson's Sands 4 Pochard and 4 Snipe. Flying north were 3 Tundra Bean Goose, 137 Gannet, 5 Great Skua, 2 Little Gull and 75 Kittiwake, and south a Pomarine Skua, 3 Arctic Skua, 2 Great Skua, a Velvet Scoter and 22 Whooper Swan. In off the sea came a Short-eared Owl. There was an arrival of Blackbird, many of which moved south through the dunes.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 43 new birds: 3 Goldcrest, 3 Redwing, 36 Blackbird and a Sparrowhawk; and 5 retraps 2 Wren, a Robin, a Blackbird and a Redwing (the Iceland-ringed bird).

Sparrowhawk, ringed 1st November 2016.
Photo - George Gregory