Ringing Recovery:
Blackbird, ringed GPBO 25 October 2012, found dead Brandbu, Norway 23 October 2018.
October 31st. Frosty start.
A Hawfinch flew south over West Dunes mid-day and in the early afternoon 5 Great White Egret came from the south with 4 then heading out east. Birds around, including those trapped, were 1100 Pink-footed Goose, 182 Brent Goose, 215 Whooper Swan, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Hen Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, 36 Turnstone, a Ruff, a Spotted Redshank, 3 Woodcock, a Jack Snipe, 9 Snipe, 2200 Herring Gull, 2 Tawny Owl, a Merlin, a Peregrine, 3 Hooded Crow, a Cetti's Warbler, a Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 30 Goldcrest, a Firecrest, 1600 Starling, a Ring Ouzel, 102 Blackbird, 20 Fieldfare, 8 Song Thrush, 91 Redwing, 45 Robin, 12 Rock Pipit, 2 Brambling, a Twite, a Redpoll, a Crossbill and 6 Siskin. Going south were 32 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, a Snipe and 7 Crossbill.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 33 new birds: a Chiffchaff, 9 Goldcrest, a Wren, a Reed Bunting, 3 Robin, 7 Redwing and 11 Blackbird; and 8 retraps: a Redwing, 3 Blackbird, 3 Goldcrest and a Robin.
October 30th. Quite strong northerly wind, slowly shifting to westerly and slowly decreasing; with rainy spells until mid afternoon.
Heading north were 15 Brent Goose, 4 Mallard, 32 Common Scoter, 3 Velvet Scoter, a Great Crested Grebe, 4 Gannet, a Great White Egret, 6 Turnstone, 2 Guillemot and a Great Skua; south 25 Wigeon, 30 Teal, a Long-tailed Duck, 4 Eider, a Hen Harrier and a Snipe; and west a Waxwing. Birds around included 90 Whooper Swan, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Hen Harrier, 2 Buzzard, 4 Woodcock, 6 Snipe, 2 Hooded Crow, a Cetti's Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, a Yellow-browed Warbler, 28 Goldcrest, a Firecrest, 190 Blackbird, 172 Fieldfare, 20 Song Thrush, 159 Redwing, 40 Robin, 24 Brambling and 6 Siskin.
October 29th. Decreasing, then slowly increasing, north-easterly wind, with occasional brief rain showers.
Birds around, including those trapped, were 176 Brent Goose, 140 Whooper Swan, 25 Eider, a Grey Heron, a Marsh Harrier, 4 Hen Harrier, 2 Buzzard, 3 Avocet, 6 Turnstone, 16 Snipe, 13 Woodcock, a first winter Caspian Gull, a Kingfisher, a Green Woodpecker, 2 Hooded Crow, a Firecrest, 107 Goldcrest, 4 Coal Tit, 3 Blackcap, 10 Chiffchaff, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 3 Ring Ouzel, 405 Blackbird, 207 Fieldfare, 24 Song Thrush, 205 Redwing, a Mistle Thrush, a Stonechat, a Water Pipit, 25 Brambling, 7 Lesser Redpoll, a Mealy Redpoll, 3 Crossbill, 7 Siskin, 5 Snow Bunting, 2 Yellowhammer and 2 Corn Bunting. Flying south were 130 Pink-footed Goose, 42 Whooper Swan, a Ring-necked Parakeet (after briefly being around the Yacht Club), 5 Rook, 8 Redpoll, 7 Siskin and a Yellowhammer; and north 4 Velvet Scoter, 7 Little Auk, 2 Pomarine Skua and 2 Kittiwake.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 38 new birds: 19 Goldcrest, a Firecrest, a Chaffinch, 12 Blackbird and 5 Starling; 7 retraps: a Blackbird, a Robin, a Wren, 2 Redwing and 2 Goldcrest; and a control Starling with a ZOOL. MUS. KAUNAS LITHUANIA ring.
October 28th. Moderately strong north-easterly wind, slowly decreasing. Rain in afternoon.
A Hooded Crow was discovered on the beach, where there also was a brief juvenile Iceland Gull. On another great day over the sea, going north were 142 Brent Goose, 135 Wigeon, 51 Teal, 8 Gadwall, 9 Mallard, a Shoveler, a Pintail, 43 Eider, 2 Long-tailed Duck, 552 Common Scoter, a Velvet Scoter, a Goldeneye, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, a Goosander, 394 Gannet, 7 Red-throated Diver, 2 Black-throated Diver, a Great Northern Diver, a Diver spp, 15 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Leach's Petrel, 17 Guillemot, 41 Little Auk, 4 Arctic Skua, 4 Pomarine Skua, 16 Great Skua, 2 Arctic Tern, 3 Commic Tern, 443 Kittiwake, 7 Little Gull and a juvenile Glaucous Gull; south 6 Whooper Swan, 39 Brent Goose, 3 Shelduck, 51 Wigeon, 7 Teal, 6 Eider, 73 Common Scoter, a Goldeneye, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Red-throated Diver, 2 Black-throated Diver, 3 Diver spp, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Little Auk, 53 Pomarine Skua, 2 Great Skua, a Short-eared Owl, 7 Brambling, a Crossbill and 2 Snow Bunting; and west a Waxwing. In off the sea came a Woodcock, a Little Auk (with Starling), a Sparrowhawk and a Ring Ouzel. Around, including birds trapped, were 120 Whooper Swan, 120 Brent Goose, 4 Hen Harrier, a Water Rail, 18 Woodcock, a Long-eared Owl, a Kingfisher, a Peregrine, a Firecrest, 32 Goldcrest, 3 Blackcap, a Chiffchaff, a Yellow-browed Warbler, a Ring Ouzel, 311 Blackbird, a Water Pipit, 12 Brambling and a Crossbill.
A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 53 new birds: 3 Chiffchaff, 10 Goldcrest, 3 Robin, a Blackcap, a Chaffinch, a Song Thrush, 3 Redwing, 21 Blackbird, 8 Starling and 2 Woodcock; and 4 retraps: 2 Blue Tit, a Goldfinch and a Blackbird.
October 27th. Increasing north-westerly wind, then turning north, then bands of rain from late morning.
On the best day over the sea of the autumn, heading south were 42 Whooper Swan, a Brent Goose, 55 Wigeon, 89 Teal, 10 Eider, 75 Common Scoter, 3 Velvet Scoter, a Goldeneye, 20 Red-throated Diver, 3 Black-throated Diver, 3 Great Northern Diver, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Guillemot, 53 Auk spp, 188 Pomarine Skua, 12 Great Skua, an Arctic Tern, 884 Kittiwake and 2 Short-eared Owl; and north 7 Brent Goose, 12 Mallard, 179 Wigeon, 45 Teal, 2 Pintail, 85 Common Scoter, 14 Goldeneye, 5 Manx Shearwater, a Leach's Petrel, a Grey Phalarope, 3 Guillemot, 26 Auk spp and 3 Great Skua. On the sea were a Long-tailed Duck and 2 Little Auk; and coming in off the sea were 10 Short-eared Owl and a Long-eared Owl, as well as many Thrushes and Starling. Birds around included 137 Whooper Swan, 14 Brent Goose, a Hen Harrier, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Water Rail, 2 Woodcock, a Jay, a Yellow-browed Warbler and 2 Ring Ouzel.
A wind-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 60 new birds: 2 Robin, a Great Tit, 4 Song Thrush, 8 Redwing, 42 Blackbird, 2 Fieldfare and a Starling; and 5 retraps: a Redwing, a Blackbird, 2 Blue Tit and a Great Tit.
October 26th. Some early morning light rain, then increasing westerly wind.
Around were 146 Whooper Swan, 800 Pink-footed Goose, 55 Brent Goose, a Marsh Harrier, a Green Sandpiper, a Green Woodpecker, 2 Peregrine, a Merlin, 5 Coal Tit, 2 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, a Yellow-browed Warbler, a Cetti's Warbler, a Ring Ouzel, 4 Brambling, 7 Crossbill and a Snow Bunting. Flying south were 247 Whooper Swan, 152 Pink-footed Goose, 9 Greylag Goose, 3 Brent Goose, 45 Wigeon, 9 Teal, a Pintail, 27 Common Scoter, 4 Velvet Scoter, 7 Goldeneye, 8 Red-breasted Merganser, 26 Red-throated Diver, 3 Manx Shearwater, 303 Gannet, 6 Great Crested Grebe, a Red-necked Grebe, 108 Lapwing, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Snipe, a Guillemot, 85 Auk spp, 3 Arctic Skua, 26 Pomarine Skua, 3 Great Skua, 190 Kittiwake, a Mediterranean Gull, a Waxwing, 8 Brambling, 113 Chaffinch, 2 Greenfinch, a Hawfinch, 24 Lesser Redpoll, a Crossbill, 18 Siskin and 4 Corn Bunting; and north 4 Gadwall, 22 Common Scoter, 4 Red-throated Diver, 2 Black-throated Diver, a Great Northern Diver, a Razorbill, 8 Auk spp, an Arctic Skua, 8 Pomarine Skua and 2 Great Skua. In off the sea came a Water Rail, 2 Woodcock and a constant stream of Thrushes throughout the latter part of the day.Blackbird, ringed GPBO 25 October 2012, found dead Brandbu, Norway 23 October 2018.
October 31st. Frosty start.
A Hawfinch flew south over West Dunes mid-day and in the early afternoon 5 Great White Egret came from the south with 4 then heading out east. Birds around, including those trapped, were 1100 Pink-footed Goose, 182 Brent Goose, 215 Whooper Swan, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Hen Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, 36 Turnstone, a Ruff, a Spotted Redshank, 3 Woodcock, a Jack Snipe, 9 Snipe, 2200 Herring Gull, 2 Tawny Owl, a Merlin, a Peregrine, 3 Hooded Crow, a Cetti's Warbler, a Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 30 Goldcrest, a Firecrest, 1600 Starling, a Ring Ouzel, 102 Blackbird, 20 Fieldfare, 8 Song Thrush, 91 Redwing, 45 Robin, 12 Rock Pipit, 2 Brambling, a Twite, a Redpoll, a Crossbill and 6 Siskin. Going south were 32 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, a Snipe and 7 Crossbill.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 33 new birds: a Chiffchaff, 9 Goldcrest, a Wren, a Reed Bunting, 3 Robin, 7 Redwing and 11 Blackbird; and 8 retraps: a Redwing, 3 Blackbird, 3 Goldcrest and a Robin.
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Great White Egrets, a new reserve record count, equalling the county record, 31st October 2018.
Photos - Alan Brewster
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Hen Harrier, 31st October 2018.
Photo - Alan Brewster
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Chiffchaff, 31st October 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward
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Heading north were 15 Brent Goose, 4 Mallard, 32 Common Scoter, 3 Velvet Scoter, a Great Crested Grebe, 4 Gannet, a Great White Egret, 6 Turnstone, 2 Guillemot and a Great Skua; south 25 Wigeon, 30 Teal, a Long-tailed Duck, 4 Eider, a Hen Harrier and a Snipe; and west a Waxwing. Birds around included 90 Whooper Swan, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Hen Harrier, 2 Buzzard, 4 Woodcock, 6 Snipe, 2 Hooded Crow, a Cetti's Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, a Yellow-browed Warbler, 28 Goldcrest, a Firecrest, 190 Blackbird, 172 Fieldfare, 20 Song Thrush, 159 Redwing, 40 Robin, 24 Brambling and 6 Siskin.
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Hooded Crow, 30th October 2018.
Photo - Nige Lound
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Birds around, including those trapped, were 176 Brent Goose, 140 Whooper Swan, 25 Eider, a Grey Heron, a Marsh Harrier, 4 Hen Harrier, 2 Buzzard, 3 Avocet, 6 Turnstone, 16 Snipe, 13 Woodcock, a first winter Caspian Gull, a Kingfisher, a Green Woodpecker, 2 Hooded Crow, a Firecrest, 107 Goldcrest, 4 Coal Tit, 3 Blackcap, 10 Chiffchaff, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 3 Ring Ouzel, 405 Blackbird, 207 Fieldfare, 24 Song Thrush, 205 Redwing, a Mistle Thrush, a Stonechat, a Water Pipit, 25 Brambling, 7 Lesser Redpoll, a Mealy Redpoll, 3 Crossbill, 7 Siskin, 5 Snow Bunting, 2 Yellowhammer and 2 Corn Bunting. Flying south were 130 Pink-footed Goose, 42 Whooper Swan, a Ring-necked Parakeet (after briefly being around the Yacht Club), 5 Rook, 8 Redpoll, 7 Siskin and a Yellowhammer; and north 4 Velvet Scoter, 7 Little Auk, 2 Pomarine Skua and 2 Kittiwake.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 38 new birds: 19 Goldcrest, a Firecrest, a Chaffinch, 12 Blackbird and 5 Starling; 7 retraps: a Blackbird, a Robin, a Wren, 2 Redwing and 2 Goldcrest; and a control Starling with a ZOOL. MUS. KAUNAS LITHUANIA ring.
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Hooded Crow, 29th October 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward
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Yellow-browed Warbler, 29th October 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward
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Caspian Gull, 29th October 2018.
Photo - Nige Lound
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Snow Bunting, 29th October 2018.
Photo - Nige Lound
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| Firecrest, ringed 29th October 2018. Photo - George Gregory |
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| Goldcrest, 30th October 2018. Photo - Owen Beaumont |
A Hooded Crow was discovered on the beach, where there also was a brief juvenile Iceland Gull. On another great day over the sea, going north were 142 Brent Goose, 135 Wigeon, 51 Teal, 8 Gadwall, 9 Mallard, a Shoveler, a Pintail, 43 Eider, 2 Long-tailed Duck, 552 Common Scoter, a Velvet Scoter, a Goldeneye, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, a Goosander, 394 Gannet, 7 Red-throated Diver, 2 Black-throated Diver, a Great Northern Diver, a Diver spp, 15 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Leach's Petrel, 17 Guillemot, 41 Little Auk, 4 Arctic Skua, 4 Pomarine Skua, 16 Great Skua, 2 Arctic Tern, 3 Commic Tern, 443 Kittiwake, 7 Little Gull and a juvenile Glaucous Gull; south 6 Whooper Swan, 39 Brent Goose, 3 Shelduck, 51 Wigeon, 7 Teal, 6 Eider, 73 Common Scoter, a Goldeneye, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Red-throated Diver, 2 Black-throated Diver, 3 Diver spp, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Little Auk, 53 Pomarine Skua, 2 Great Skua, a Short-eared Owl, 7 Brambling, a Crossbill and 2 Snow Bunting; and west a Waxwing. In off the sea came a Woodcock, a Little Auk (with Starling), a Sparrowhawk and a Ring Ouzel. Around, including birds trapped, were 120 Whooper Swan, 120 Brent Goose, 4 Hen Harrier, a Water Rail, 18 Woodcock, a Long-eared Owl, a Kingfisher, a Peregrine, a Firecrest, 32 Goldcrest, 3 Blackcap, a Chiffchaff, a Yellow-browed Warbler, a Ring Ouzel, 311 Blackbird, a Water Pipit, 12 Brambling and a Crossbill.
A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 53 new birds: 3 Chiffchaff, 10 Goldcrest, 3 Robin, a Blackcap, a Chaffinch, a Song Thrush, 3 Redwing, 21 Blackbird, 8 Starling and 2 Woodcock; and 4 retraps: 2 Blue Tit, a Goldfinch and a Blackbird.
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Iceland Gull, 28th October 2018.
Photo - James Siddle
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Waxwing, 28th October 2018.
Photo - James Siddle
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Sea-watching, a crowded Mill Hill early morning, 28th October 2018.
Photo - Nige Lound
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| Woodcock, ringed 28th October 2018. Photo - George Gregory |
On the best day over the sea of the autumn, heading south were 42 Whooper Swan, a Brent Goose, 55 Wigeon, 89 Teal, 10 Eider, 75 Common Scoter, 3 Velvet Scoter, a Goldeneye, 20 Red-throated Diver, 3 Black-throated Diver, 3 Great Northern Diver, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Guillemot, 53 Auk spp, 188 Pomarine Skua, 12 Great Skua, an Arctic Tern, 884 Kittiwake and 2 Short-eared Owl; and north 7 Brent Goose, 12 Mallard, 179 Wigeon, 45 Teal, 2 Pintail, 85 Common Scoter, 14 Goldeneye, 5 Manx Shearwater, a Leach's Petrel, a Grey Phalarope, 3 Guillemot, 26 Auk spp and 3 Great Skua. On the sea were a Long-tailed Duck and 2 Little Auk; and coming in off the sea were 10 Short-eared Owl and a Long-eared Owl, as well as many Thrushes and Starling. Birds around included 137 Whooper Swan, 14 Brent Goose, a Hen Harrier, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Water Rail, 2 Woodcock, a Jay, a Yellow-browed Warbler and 2 Ring Ouzel.
A wind-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 60 new birds: 2 Robin, a Great Tit, 4 Song Thrush, 8 Redwing, 42 Blackbird, 2 Fieldfare and a Starling; and 5 retraps: a Redwing, a Blackbird, 2 Blue Tit and a Great Tit.
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Sea-watching, from atop Mill Hill, in bleak conditions, 27th October 2018.
Photo - Nige Lound
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A brief morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 5 new birds: a Goldfinch, a Blackcap, a Great Tit, a Redwing and a Sparrowhawk; and a retrap Blackbird.
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Moody sky early morning, 26th October 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward
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A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, resulted in 24 new birds: 8 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Blue Tit, a Greenfinch, 3 Song Thrush, 2 Redwing, 4 Fieldfare, 2 Blackbird and a Great Spotted Woodpecker; and 5 retraps: a Blue Tit, a Redwing, 2 Goldcrest and a Dunnock.
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Crossbills, 25th October 2018.
Photo - Kev Wilson
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| Waxwing, 25th October 2018 Photo - Josh Hedley |
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Hen Harrier, 25th October 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward
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| Great Spotted Woodpecker, ringed 25th October 2018. Photo - George Gregory |
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| Corn Bunting, 25th September. Photo - Owen Beaumont |
A wind-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 8 new birds: a Wren, 2 Robin, 2 Goldfinch, a Fieldfare, a Blackbird and a Woodpigeon; and 5 retraps: a Blackbird, 2 Blue Tit, a Redwing and a Robin.
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| Crossbill, 24th October 2018 Photo - Paul Johnson |
Pomarine Skua, 24th October 2018.
Video - Ben Ward
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Whooper Swans, heading south along the beach, 24th October 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward
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Redwing, freshly arrived, 24th October 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward
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| Fieldfare, ringed 24th October 2018. Photo - George Gregory |
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| Fieldfare, ringed 24th October 2018. Photo - George Gregory |
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Dave Vincent, produced 14 new birds: 3 Goldcrest, a Robin, a Siskin, a Goldfinch, a Blackcap, 2 Great Tit, 2 Redwing and 3 Blackbird; and 8 retraps: a Blackcap, 2 Wren, a Robin, a Goldfinch, a Goldcrest, a Blackbird and a Dunnock.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by James Siddle, Ian Thompson and Yvonne Benting produced 14 new birds: 2 Goldcrest, 2 Great Tit, a Blackcap, 6 Goldfinch, a Blue Tit, a Dunnock and a Redwing; and 9 retraps: 3 Great Tit, a Coal Tit, 3 Goldfinch, a Blue Tit and a Long-tailed Tit.
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| Curlew, 23rd September 2018. Photo - Owen Beaumont |
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| Common Snipe, 23rd September 2018. Photo - Owen Beaumont |
A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 9 new birds: a Blackcap, 2 Goldfinch, a Robin, a Great Tit and 4 Blackbird; and 3 retraps: a Blackbird and 2 Robin.
October 21st. Birds around included 59 Whooper Swan, 150 Brent Goose, 400 Pink-footed Goose, a Marsh Harrier, a Hen Harrier, a Peregrine, 2 Merlin, a Yellow-browed Warbler and a Cetti's Warbler. On Tennyson's Sands were a Water Rail, a Curlew Sandpiper and a Greenshank. A Jack Snipe was in the channel near the Mere. Heading south were 13 Whooper Swan and a Swallow.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 12 new birds: a Goldcrest, a Long-tailed Tit, a Linnet, a Chaffinch, a Reed Bunting, a Dunnock, 2 Song Thrush, a Blackbird and 3 Starling; and 7 retraps: a Blue Tit, a Reed Bunting, a Great Tit and 4 Long-tailed Tit.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by James Siddle, Ian Thompson and Yvonne Benting provided 34 new birds: 3 Wren, a Goldcrest, 14 Goldfinch, a Great Tit, 2 Robin, 2 Blue Tit, 6 Greenfinch, 2 Song Thrush, a Redwing and 2 Blackbird; and 7 retraps: 3 Great Tit, a Chaffinch, a Redwing, a Coal Tit and a Goldcrest.
Butterflies included a Comma and a Painted Lady.
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| Comma, 21st October 2018. Photo - Rob Watson |
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| Painted Lady, 21st October 2018. Photo - Nige Lound |
