Late October 2017

October 31st. Light rain from mid to late morning.
 Around, including birds trapped, were 400 Pink-footed Goose, 30 Brent Goose, 4 Goldcrest and 5 Redwing. Flying south were a Great Skua, 2 Sandwich Tern and 2 Arctic Tern. In off the sea came 5 Woodcock and 400 Starling.
 A rain-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 24 new birds: a Wren, 4 Goldcrest, a Robin, 2 Redwing and 16 Blackbird; and 6 retraps: 2 Robin, 2 Long-tailed Tit, a Blackbird and a Blue Tit.

October 30th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 400 Pink-footed Goose, 7 Woodcock, a Snipe, 5 Goldcrest and 6 Redwing. Going south were 6 Whooper Swan; and west 20 Fieldfare, 200 Redwing and 40 Blackbird. In off the sea came a Short-eared Owl.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 72 new birds: 4 Wren, 9 Long-tailed Tit, a Goldcrest, 4 Reed Bunting, a Blue Tit, a Robin, 3 Redwing, 3 Song Thrush, 39 Blackbird and 7 Woodcock; and 9 retraps: a Wren, a Blackbird, 3 Dunnock, a Robin, a Goldfinch and 2 Goldcrest.

Woodcock, ringed 30th October 2017.
Photo - George Gregory
October 29th. Moderately strong north-westerly wind.
 Around were 200 Pink-footed Goose, 170 Brent Goose, 120 Wigeon, a Marsh Harrier, 2000 Wood Pigeon, a Kingfisher, a Mistle Thrush, 2 Fieldfare and 8 Redwing. On the Mere was a Jack Snipe. Heading south were 12 Pomarine Skua, 180 Gannet, 3 Red-throated Diver, 42 Pink-footed Goose and 2 Redpoll; and north a Sandwich Tern, a Great Northern Diver and 80 Auk spp.

October 28th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 40 Pink-footed Goose, 250 Brent Goose, a Peregrine, 2 Merlin, 4 Blackcap and a Bullfinch. Flying south were 89 Whooper Swan, a Goosander, 300 Auk Spp, a Purple Sandpiper, a juvenile Pomarine Skua, 80 Siskin, 15 Brambling and 40 Redpoll. In off the sea came 5 Jack Snipe.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Toby Collett and Jenni Godber yielded 20 new birds: 3 Goldcrest, 2 Wren, a Robin, a Chaffinch, 2 Blackcap, 3 Goldfinch, a Redwing, 6 Blackbird and a Starling; and 5 retraps: a Robin, 2 Blackbird and 2 Long-tailed Tit.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by James Siddle, Ian Thompson and Yvonne Benting yielded 17 new birds: 2 Wren, a Goldcrest, 2 Blackcap, a Blue Tit, a Redwing and 10 Blackbird; and 3 retraps: 2 Goldcrest and a Blackbird.

October 27th. Around, including birds trapped, were 260 Pink-footed Goose, 200 Brent Goose, 3 Water Rail, 147 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Greenshank, 2 Ruff, 2 Woodcock, a late Willow Warbler, a Black Redstart, a Stonechat, a Ring Ouzel, 120 Redwing, 220 Blackbird, 2 Fieldfare and a Bullfinch. Going south were 13 Whooper Swan, 40 Pink-footed Goose, a Grey Wagtail and 20 Brambling. Roosting on Tennyson's Sands were 89 Whooper Swan.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes by James Siddle, Ian Thompson and Yvonne Benting provided 31 new birds: a Brambling, a Robin, 2 Great Tit, a Dunnock, 11 Redwing, 4 Song Thrush, a Fieldfare, 8 Blackbird, a Woodcock and a Sparrowhawk; and 6 retraps: 2 Blackbird, a Redwing, 2 Robin and a Bullfinch.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling and Dave Vincent provided 27 new birds: 5 Goldcrest, a Willow Warbler, a Song Thrush, 8 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Blue Tit, 4 Redwing and 4 Blackbird; and 16 retraps: a Blackbird, 5 Goldcrest, a Robin, a Blue Tit, 3 Dunnock, a Wren and 4 Long-tailed Tit.

Woodcock, ringed 27th October 2017.
Photo - Yvonne Benting
October 26th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 40 Pink-footed Goose, 227 Brent Goose, a Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank, a Green Woodpecker, a Peregrine, a Treecreeper, a Chiffchaff, 9 Blackcap, 2 Stonechat, 7 Bullfinch, 20 Siskin, 8 Brambling and 2 Corn Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands was a Cetti's Warbler. Heading south were 10 Whooper Swan, 160 Pink-footed Goose, 6 Mistle Thrush and a Hawfinch; and north-west 65 Pink-footed Goose.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, produced 48 new birds: a Chiffchaff, 8 Goldcrest, 4 Wren, 7 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Reed Bunting, 7 Goldfinch, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Blackcap, 2 Robin, 3 Chaffinch, 3 Blue Tit, 2 Song Thrush and 2 Blackbird; and 9 retraps: 2 Blackbird, a Great Tit, a Goldcrest, 3 Wren, a Song Thrush and a Robin.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, by James Siddle, Ian Thompson and Yvonne Benting produced 21 new birds: a Treecreeper, 3 Wren, 2 Goldcrest, 4 Blackcap, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Robin, a Reed Bunting, 2 Dunnock and 4 Blackbird; and 8 retraps: 3 Wren, a Dunnock, 2 Goldcrest, a Bullfinch and a Robin.

October 25th. An Olive-backed Pipit was discovered by the paths by Tennyson's Sands. Around, including birds trapped, were 500 Pink-footed Goose, 80 Brent Goose, a Marsh Harrier, 5 Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank, a Woodcock, 2 Green Woodpecker, 25 Goldcrest, a Ring Ouzel, 2 Fieldfare, 18 Redwing, 3 Chiffchaff, 5 Stonechat, a Common Redpoll, 2 Brambling and 2 Bullfinch. On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Water Rail, 16 Snipe and a Cetti's Warbler; and on the Mere 2 Water Rail. Flying south were 180 Pink-footed Goose, a Grey Wagtail, 5 Brambling, 73 Siskin, 137 Redpoll and 3 Bullfinch. Roosting on Tennyson's Sands were 4500 Starling.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 36 new birds: 13 Goldcrest, 2 Robin, 6 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Goldfinch, a Great Tit, a Blue Tit, 2 Dunnock, a Song Thrush and 7 Blackbird; and 7 retraps: a Goldcrest, a Blackbird, 3 Robin, a Wren and a Dunnock.
 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by James Siddle resulted in 5 new birds: a Goldcrest, a Bullfinch, a Song Thrush and 2 Blackbird; and a retrap Robin.

Olive-backed Pipit, 25th October 2017.
Photo - James Siddle
October 24th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 150 Pink-footed Goose, a Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Woodcock, 40 Redwing and a Bullfinch. Offshore were 3 Velvet Scoter, 2 Goosander, a Goldeneye and 12 Red-throated Diver. On Jackson's Marsh were 3 Pintail and 60 Black-tailed Godwit. Going south were 100 Brent Goose, 600 Wigeon, a Little Stint, 400 Woodpigeon and 35 Redpoll. Roosting on Tennyson's Sands were 4000 Starling.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Jenni Godber, provided 20 new birds: a Wren, 5 Goldcrest, a Blue Tit, a Bullfinch, 2 Robin, 7 Song Thrush, 2 Blackbird and a Woodcock; and 8 retraps: a Wren, a Robin, 2 Blackbird, 3 Redwing and a Great Tit.

Bullfinch, ringed 24th October 2017.
Photo - George Gregory
Woodcock, ringed 24th October 2017.
Photo - George Gregory
October 23rd. Around, including birds trapped, were 35 Brent Goose, 177 Pink-footed Goose, 1200 Golden Plover, a Kingfisher, a Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 50 Redwing, 6 Fieldfare, 5 Ring Ouzel, a Stonechat, 30 Goldcrest, 7 House Martin, a Water Pipit, 12 Siskin, 45 Redpoll, 4 Bullfinch and a Lapland Bunting. Heading south were 31 Whooper Swan, 2 Pintail, 6 House Martin, 6 Hawfinch, many Redpoll, other finches and other species.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 38 new birds: 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Robin, 8 Lesser Redpoll, 6 Goldfinch, a Bullfinch, 2 Reed Bunting, a Dunnock, 3 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush, 8 Blackbird and a Kingfisher; and 5 retraps: a Redwing, a Blackbird, a Robin and 2 Dunnock.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Dave Vincent produced 16 new birds: 4 Goldcrest, 2 Wren, a Blackcap, a Bullfinch, a Robin and 7 Blackbird; and 3 retraps: a Goldcrest, a Great Tit and a Wren.

Bullfinch, ringed 23rd October 2017.
Photo - George Gregory
Kingfisher, ringed 23rd October 2017.
Photo - George Gregory
Treecreeper, 23rd October 23rd 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale
Treecreeper, 23rd October 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale
October 22nd. Strong south-westerly wind, slowly decreasing.
 Birds around included 85000 Knot, a Green Woodpecker, a Chiffchaff, 3 Ring Ouzel, 35 Redwing, 5 Stonechat, a Brambling and 5 Bullfinch. On Jackson's Marsh were a Ruff and 65 Black-tailed Godwit; and on Tennyson's Sands 5 Spotted Redshank. Roosting on Croftmarsh were 253 Pink-footed Goose; and on Tennyson's Sands 1600 Starling. Flying south were 56 Whooper Swan (14 off Tennyson's Sands), 2 Merlin, 7 Swallow, 6 House Martin, 4 Rock Pipit, 2 Tree Sparrow, 22 Redpoll, 2 Brambling and 89 Siskin.

Knot, 22nd October 2017.
Photo - Rob Watson
Oystercatchers, 22nd October 2017.
Photo Rob Watson
October 21st. Increasingly strong south-westerly wind.
 A Yellow-browed Warbler was in West Dunes. Around were 70000 Knot, a Curlew Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, 6 Swallow, 2 Black Redstart (near Yacht Club building), a Stonechat, 2 Ring Ouzel, a Bullfinch and a Brambling. On Jackson's Marsh were 25 Black-tailed Godwit. Going south were 6 Whooper Swan, a Black Tern, an Arctic Tern, 2 Swallow, 5 House Martin and a Lapland Bunting.

Black Redstart, 21st October 2017.
Photo - Garry Wright
Stonechat, 21st October 2017.
Photo - Garry Wright
Kestrel, 21st October 2017.
Photo - Garry Wright

Mid October 2017

October 20th. A total of 11 Hawfinch were in the Plantation; 9 then flew south, and 2 south-west. Birds around, including those trapped, were 60 Brent Goose, a Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, 1000 Redwing, 30 Song Thrush and 25 Blackbird. Heading south were 200 Pink-footed Goose, 8 Swallow and 30 Brambling.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 53 new birds: a Chiffchaff, 4 Goldcrest, a Blackcap, 3 Robin, a Reed Bunting, 26 Redwing, 9 Song Thrush and 8 Blackbird; and a retrap Blackbird.

October 19th. A fall of migrants was evident at first light. A Yellow-browed Warbler was trapped and ringed in East Dunes. Around were 836 Redwing, 7 Fieldfare, 50 Song Thrush, 10 House Martin, 4 Swallow, 5 Brambling, 5 Chiffchaff, a Bullfinch, a Garden Warbler and a Firecrest (North Car Park). Flying south were 5 Wigeon, 3 Swallow and 3 Brambling; and north 185 Pink-footed Goose and 7 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, provided 52 new birds: 3 Chiffchaff, a Wren, 13 Goldcrest, a Yellow-browed Warbler, a Blackcap, a Great Tit, a Robin, 25 Redwing, 5 Song Thrush and a Blackbird; and 9 retraps: 4 Goldcrest, 3 Wren, a Dunnock and a Robin.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling provided new 8 birds: a Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 2 Robin and 2 Blackbird; and7 retraps: a Goldcrest, 3 Wren, 2 Robin and a Dunnock.

Yellow-browed Warbler, ringed 19th October 2017.
Photo - George Gregory
October 18th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 60 Brent Goose, 25 Redwing, 3 Fieldfare, 6 House Martin, 7 Stonechat, a Whinchat, a Firecrest, 4 Goldcrest, a Treecreeper and 2 Grey Wagtail. On Tennyson's Sands were 60 Black-tailed Godwit and a Cetti's Warbler; and on Fenland Lagoon a Green Sandpiper. Going south were 35 Whooper Swan, 30 Pink-footed Goose, 5 Pintail, a Grey Heron, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 32 Swallow, 10 House Martin, 2 Bullfinch, a Yellowhammer, a Snow Bunting, 173 Tree Sparrow, 1567 Redpoll spp (a new reserve record!), 3637 Goldfinch, 203 Chaffinch, 156 Siskin and 2 Grey Wagtail.
 A brief morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 26 new birds: 2 Goldcrest, 2 Wren, 6 Reed Bunting, 11 Goldfinch, a Meadow Pipit, a Robin, a Greenfinch and 2 Blackbird; and 3 retraps: 2 Goldcrest and a Dunnock.

Brambling at the feeding station, 18th October 2017.
Photo - Kevin Wilson
October 17th. Gradually decreasing south-westerly wind.
 Around were 171 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Swallow and 4 House Martin. On Tennyson's Sands were 18 Avocet, a Greenshank and 7 Snipe; on Jackson's Marsh 2 Pintail; and on Croftmarsh 70 Pink-footed Goose.

Sunset, 17th October 2017.
Photo - Kevin Wilson
October 16th. Increasing south-westerly wind in afternoon.
 On the sea were a Great Northern Diver and 30 Red-throated Diver. Birds around, including those trapped, were 35 Brent Goose, 10 Gannet, a Mediterranean Gull, 12 Goldcrest, 18 Redwing, 20 Song Thrush, a Blackcap and 4 Chiffchaff. Heading south were 9 Eider, a Woodlark, a Swallow, 400 Goldfinch and a Yellow Wagtail; north a Kittiwake; and north-west 180 Pink-footed Goose. In off the sea came 250 Starling.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 41 new birds: 11 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, 3 Long-tailed Tit, a Chaffinch, a Blackcap, 3 Goldfinch, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Dunnock, a Greenfinch, 3 Redwing and 13 Blackbird; and 6 retraps; a Wren, a Goldcrest, 3 Long-tailed Tit and a Great Tit.

Red Sun caused by Storm Ophelia, 16th October 2017.
Photo - Kevin Wilson
October 15th. Around, including birds trapped, were 12 Brent Goose, a Common Buzzard, a Green Sandpiper, a Greenshank, 154 Black-tailed Godwit, a Kingfisher, a Green Woodpecker, 43 Swallow, 50 Redwing, 2 Fieldfare, 10 Goldcrest, a Firecrest, a Treecreeper, a Chiffchaff, 13 Stonechat, a Water Pipit and 20 Brambling. On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Pintail and 10 Wigeon; and on Tennyson's Sands were 2 Water Rail, 2 Spotted Redshank and a Cetti's Warbler. Going south were 12 Whooper Swan, 500 Pink-footed Goose, 15 Redwing, 8 Swallow, 2 Grey Wagtail and a Lapland Bunting; and north 300 Pink-footed Goose.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 42 new birds: 8 Goldcrest, a Firecrest, a Chiffchaff, 15 Goldfinch, a Chaffinch, 3 Reed Bunting, a Lesser Redpoll, a Robin, a Great Tit, 2 Dunnock, 3 Redwing and 5 Song Thrush; and 7 retraps: a Blue Tit, 2 Dunnock, 2 Goldfinch, a Great Tit and a Wren.

Palpita vitrealis trapped overnight, 15th October 2017.
Photo - Nigel Lound
Lapwing, 15th October 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale
Snipe, 15th October 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale
Kingfisher, 15th October 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale
Little Egret, 15th October 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale
Firecrest, ringed 15th October 2017.
Photo - George Gregory
October 14th. A Yellow-browed Warbler was in the Plantation. On Jackson's Marsh was a Water Pipit; and on Tennyson's Sands an adult Mediterranean Gull, a Cetti's Warbler and a Water Pipit. Birds around, including those trapped, were 150 Brent Goose, a Common Buzzard, a Kingfisher, a Merlin, a Greenshank, a Treecreeper, 17 Redwing, a Pied Flycatcher, 17 Stonechat, 5 Goldcrest and a Grey Wagtail. Flying south were 90 Pink-footed Goose, 4 Swallow, 30 Tree Sparrow, 2 Hawfinch, 1014 Goldfinch, 14 Redpoll, 26 Siskin and a Yellowhammer; west a Bean Goose and 3 Pink-footed Goose; and north 280 Pink-footed Goose.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 19 new birds: 4 Goldcrest, 2 Wren, 2 Goldfinch, a Blackcap, 6 Great Tit, a Song Thrush, 2 Redwing and a Blackbird; and 6 retraps: a Blackbird, 2 Wren, a Robin, a Goldcrest and a Blue Tit.
 A Clouded Yellow butterfly was seen in the afternoon.

Clouded Yellow, 14th October 2017.
Photo - Kevin Wilson
October 13th. Moderately strong south-westerly wind.
 Around were 7 Spotted Redshank, a Green Woodpecker, 6 Stonechat and 4 Redwing. On Jackson's Marsh was a Little Stint; and on Tennyson's Sands a Water Rail and a Cetti's Warbler. Going north were 100 Pink-footed Goose and a Velvet Scoter; and south a Great Northern Diver.

October 12th. A Yellow-browed Warbler was in East Dunes. Birds around, including those trapped, were 50 Brent Goose, 2 Merlin, 9 Greenshank, a Green Woodpecker, a Kingfisher, a Jay, 8 Goldcrest, a Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, a Whinchat, 12 Stonechat, 2 Wheatear, 16 Redpoll and a Lapland Bunting. On Jackson's Marsh were a Curlew Sandpiper, a Little Stint, 2 Snipe and a Kingfisher; on Tennyson's Sands 2 Ruff, 6 Spotted Redshank, 9 Snipe and a Cetti's Warbler; and on Wainfleet Marsh 2000 Golden Plover. Heading north were 28 Pink-footed Goose and a Peregrine; and south 2 Wigeon, a Common Buzzard, 2 House Martin, 2 Redpoll, 3 Siskin and a Lapland Bunting.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, yielded 24 new birds: 4 Wren, 5 Goldcrest, 7 Goldfinch, 2 Reed Bunting, a Blackcap, a Chaffinch, a Great Tit, a Song Thrush, a Blackbird and a Sparrowhawk; and 7 retraps: 3 Robin, 3 Goldcrest and a Dunnock.

Sparrowhawk, ringed 12th October 2017.
Photo - George Gregory
Wheatear, 12th October 2017.
Photo - Ben Ward
October 11th. Moderately strong south-easterly wind.
 A Yellow-browed Warbler was near North Building. Around were 3 Merlin, a Whinchat and 2 Lesser Redpoll. Flying north-west were 120 Pink-footed Goose; and south a Velvet Scoter and a Hobby. On Jackson's Marsh was a Curlew Sandpiper.

Early October 2017.

October 10th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 26 Brent Goose, 3 Merlin, 2 Spotted Redshank, a Little Stint, a Coal Tit and 3 Goldcrest. Going south were 4 Swallow; and north 9 Pink-footed Goose.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 9 new birds: 2 Goldcrest, a Blue Tit, a Blackcap, a Robin, a Coal Tit, a Reed Bunting and 2 Blackbird; and 3 retraps: a Blackcap, a Goldcrest and a Dunnock.

Coal Tit, ringed 10th October 2017.
Photo - George Gregory
October 9th.  On the reserve were 2 Yellow-browed Warbler (1 North Building Ridge, 1 Gibraltar Road side). Around, including birds trapped, were 35 Brent Goose, a Marsh Harrier, 70000 Knot, a Spotted Redshank, a Jack Snipe, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, a Green Woodpecker, a Kingfisher, 2 Merlin, a Ring Ouzel, 41 Redwing, 30 Song Thrush, a Cetti's Warbler, 40 Goldcrest, 90 Robin, 5 Stonechat and 2 Brambling. On Jackson's Marsh were 16 Snipe; and on Tennyson's Sands 2 Greenshank and 2 Ruff. Heading south were 7 Whooper Swan, 4 Scaup, 18 Pintail, and many finches, pipits and other species; and west 80 Redwing.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Jenni Godber, resulted in 17 new birds: 3 Wren, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Brambling, a Reed Bunting, a Robin, a Goldfinch, a Blackcap, a Dunnock, 2 Song Thrush and a Blackbird; 2 retraps: a Song Thrush and a Blackcap; and a control Reed Bunting.

Brambling, ringed 9th October 2017.
Photo - George Gregory
October 8th. There were 4 Yellow-browed Warbler present (2 trapped and ringed at Observatory, 1 calling near Mill Hill, 1 Gibraltar Road side). Birds around, including those trapped, were 60 Brent Goose, a Snipe, a Ruff, a Spotted Redshank, a Merlin, a Hobby, a Short-eared Owl, 2 Kingfisher, 2 Jay, 8 Stonechat, a Ring Ouzel, 70 Redwing, 6 Lesser Redpoll and 2 Brambling. Flying south were 220 Pink-footed Goose, a Sandwich Tern and 3 Brambling. In off the sea came a Mandarin Duck, which then landed on the Mere.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 71 new birds: 7 Wren, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, a Chiffchaff, 4 Goldcrest, 3 Blackcap, a Brambling, 5 Goldfinch, 5 Reed Bunting, a Lesser Redpoll, a Great Tit, a Dunnock, 21 Redwing, 7 Song Thrush and 12 Blackbird; and 9 retraps: 4 Robin, 2 Dunnock, 2 Goldcrest and a Great Tit.
Brambling, 8th October 2017.
Photo - Russell Hayes
Mandarin Duck on the Mere, 8th October 2017.
Photo - Russell Hayes
Yellow-browed Warbler, 8th October 2017.
Photo - Russell Hayes

Mandarin Duck, 8th October 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale
Mandarin Duck, 8th October 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale
Yellow-browed Warbler, ringed 8th October 2017.
Photo - George Gregory
Yellow-browed Warbler, ringed 8th October 2017.
Photo - George Gregory
Brambling, ringed 8th October 2017.
Photo - George Gregory
October 7th. Moderately strong south-westerly wind.
 A Yellow-browed Warbler was by Sykes Farm track. On Tennyson's Sands was a Little Stint. Around, including birds trapped, were 60 Brent Goose, a Marsh Harrier, a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Greenshank, a Kingfisher, a Jay, a Whinchat and 3 Stonechat. Offshore were 3 Razorbill. Heading south were 12 Whooper Swan, 290 Pink-footed Goose, 12 Eider, a Woodlark, 20 House Martin and 17 Swallow; west 110 Pink-footed Goose; and north 130 Pink-footed Goose. In off the sea came 33 Snipe.
 A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 34 new birds: 4 Wren, 2 Chiffchaff, 15 Goldcrest, a Robin, a Linnet, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Reed Bunting, a Stonechat, a Lesser Redpoll, 2 Blackcap, a Song Thrush, a Blackbird and a Jay; and 6 retraps: 2 Wren, a Robin, 2 Goldcrest and a Goldfinch.

Stonechat, ringed 7th October 2017.
Photo - George Gregory
Jay, ringed 7th October 2017.
Photo - George Gregory
October 6th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 60 Brent Goose, a ringtail Hen Harrier, 2 Greenshank, a Kingfisher, a Sedge Warbler, 7 Redwing, 14 Stonechat and a Brambling. Flying south were 200 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 7 Sandwich Tern, a Great Skua and 29 Redpoll; west 30 Pink-footed Goose; and north 50 Common Scoter, 9 Gannet and an Arctic Skua.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, yielded 64 new birds: 11 Wren, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Blackcap, 8 Robin, 3 Reed Bunting, 4 Goldfinch, a Sedge Warbler, 2 Chaffinch, 4 Great Tit, 5 Blue Tit, a Tree Sparrow, 9 Dunnock, a Greenfinch, 5 Song Thrush, a Redwing, a Blackbird and a Great Spotted Woodpecker; and 12 retraps: 2 Wren, 4 Dunnock, 2 Goldcrest, a Robin, a Blackcap, a Great Tit and a Chiffchaff.

October 5th. Strong north-westerly wind, slowly decreasing.
 There were 2 Yellow-browed Warbler (1 in Plantation, 1 by Gibraltar Road side). On Jackson's Marsh was a Ruff. Around were 2 Greenshank, a Kingfisher, 2 Merlin, 4 Jay, 18 Redwing and a Whinchat. Going north were a Brent Goose, a Manx Shearwater, 84 Gannet, a Great Skua, a Sandwich Tern and a Peregrine; and south 48 Pink-footed Goose, 7 Great Skua, a Sandwich Tern, 12 Gannet and 5 House Martin.

October 4th. Increasing south-westerly wind.
 A Yellow-browed Warbler was trapped and ringed in East Dunes. Birds around included 149 Brent Goose, a Marsh Harrier, 9 Spotted Redshank, 10 Stonechat and a Grey Wagtail. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Greenshank and 10 Snipe; and on Jackson's Marsh a Ruff and 130 Black-tailed Godwit. Heading south were 85 Pink-footed Goose and numerous finches, pipits and other species; and north 168 Pink-footed Goose.
 A wind-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Jenni Godber, provided 38 new birds: 9 Chiffchaff, 16 Goldcrest, a Wren, a Yellow-browed Warbler, a Blackcap, a Reed Bunting, 4 Goldfinch, 4 Dunnock and a Song Thrush; and 4 retraps: a Blackbird, 2 Goldcrest and a Robin.
 A wind-shortened morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling provided 51 new birds: 18 Chiffchaff, 19 Goldcrest, 3 Wren, 3 Robin, 2 Blue Tit, 4 Blackcap and 2 Great Tit; and 15 retraps: 3 Wren, 2 Dunnock, 5 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Blue Tit, a Goldcrest, a Great Tit and a Blackcap.

Yellow-browed Warbler, ringed 4th October 2017.
Photo - George Gregory
October 3rd. Increasing westerly wind; later decreasing.
 A Yellow-browed Warbler was in West Dunes. On Jackson's Marsh were a Ruff and a Wood Sandpiper. Around, including birds trapped, were a Common Buzzard, 2 Merlin, a Kingfisher, 2 Redstart, 13 Stonechat, a Whinchat, a Cetti's Warbler and a Firecrest. Flying south were numerous finches, pipits and many other species, including 584 Pink-footed Goose (plus 5 more north-west), a Manx Shearwater, 18 Great Skua, 2 Mediterranean Gull, a Woodlark, a Tree Pipit, 3 Sand Martin, 41 Swallow, 141 House Martin, 102 Tree Sparrow and a Crossbill.
 A wind-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 59 new birds: 7 Wren, 6 Chiffchaff, 12 Goldcrest, 6 Robin, 2 Goldfinch, 3 Blackcap, 7 Reed Bunting, a Chaffinch, 2 Stonechat, 3 Great Tit, a Lesser Redpoll and 9 Dunnock; and 7 retraps: a Blackcap, 2 Robin, a Goldcrest, a Wren, a Redstart and a Dunnock.

Firecrest, 3rd October 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale
Stonechat, ringed 3rd October 2017.
Photo - George Gregory
Redstart, retrapped 3rd October 2017.
Photo - George Gregory
October 2nd. Strong south-westerly winds, but slowly decreasing.
 Birds around included 2 Spoonbill, 6 Marsh Harrier and 2 Green Sandpiper. On Jackson's Marsh were 125 Black-tailed Godwit; and on Tennyson's Sands 4 Spotted Redshank. Going south were an Osprey, and numerous finches, pipits, buntings and other species.

October 1st. Quite strong southerly winds.
 By Gibraltar Road side was a Yellow-browed Warbler. Around were a ringtail Hen Harrier and 4 Marsh Harrier. On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Spoonbill, 3 Ruff and 4 Spotted Redshank; on Tennyson's Sands 3 Water Rail, 6 Greenshank, 150 Black-tailed Godwit and a Cetti's Warbler; and on Croftmarsh a Curlew Sandpiper.