Late November 2019

November 30th. Frozen start.
 On the sea were a Pochard, 80 Common Scoter, a Red-breasted Merganser, 86 Red-throated Diver, a Black-throated Diver, 2 Great Crested Grebe, a Shag and 350 Cormorant. Heading south were 310 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Whooper Swan, 5 Red-throated Diver and 490 Herring Gull; and north 16 Wigeon, a Teal, 39 Common Scoter, 10 Red-throated Diver and 2 Auk Sp. Birds around included 110 Brent Goose, 1940 Pink-footed Goose, 61 Shoveler, 22 Gadwall, 79 Wigeon, 3 Pintail, 611 Teal, 3 Pochard, 60 Tufted Duck, 10 Little Egret, a Sparrowhawk, a Marsh Harrier, a male Hen Harrier (North End), a Buzzard, 4 Water Rail, 90 Lapwing, 25 Golden Plover, 2 Turnstone, a Purple Sandpiper (Greenshanks Creek), 3 Woodcock, 5 Snipe, 22 Stock Dove, 2 Tawny Owl, a Kingfisher, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Kestrel, a Merlin, 8 Goldcrest, 55 Starling, 38 Blackbird, 3 Fieldfare, 9 Redwing, 4 Song Thrush, a Mistle Thrush, 4 Stonechat (2 Croftmarsh and 2 Freshwater Marsh), 2 Water Pipit (1 Croftmarsh and 1 Freshwater Marsh), 2 Bullfinch, 2 Siskin and a Lapland Bunting (over Mill Hill).

Frozen start, 30th November 2019.
Photo - George Gregory
November 29th. 2 Tundra Bean Goose were discovered on farmland adjacent to Croftmarsh mid afternoon, viewed from Tennyson's Sands. A Hooded Crow was at Greenshanks Creek in the afternoon and 5 Waxwing were briefly in the Beach Car Park late in the day prior to flying south. Around, including birds trapped, were 140 Brent Goose, 1350 Pink-footed Goose, a Mute Swan, 45 Shoveler, 33 Gadwall, 317 Wigeon, 86 Tufted Duck, 98 Common Scoter, 2 Goldeneye (on the sea), 7 Red-throated Diver, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, 2 Turnstone, 3 Snipe, 2 Stock Dove, 2 Tawny Owl, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, a Peregrine, a Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, 2 Goldcrest, a Treecreeper, 30 Blackbird, 6 Fieldfare, 3 Redwing, 3 Song Thrush, 26 Robin, a Bullfinch, a Redpoll sp, 21 Greenfinch, 4 Siskin, a Corn Bunting (Visitor Centre Car Park), a Lapland Bunting (over the Hump early morning) and 7 Snow Bunting (north along the beach). On Jackson's Marsh were 3 Pintail and a Water Pipit; on Tennyson's Sands 2 Pochard, 7 Water Rail and a Jack Snipe; and on Croftmarsh 130 Lapwing, 38 Curlew, a Black-tailed Godwit, 60 Starling and 2 Stonechat. Flying north were a Red-throated Diver and 2 Auk Sp.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 14 new birds: 9 Greenfinch, a Song Thrush, a Redwing and 3 Blackbird; and 4 retraps: a Blackbird, a Robin, a Blue Tit and a Great Tit.

Tundra Bean Geese, discovered amongst the Pink-footed Goose flock, 29th November 2019.
Photo - Ben Ward


Hooded Crow and Carrion Crow, 29th November 2019.
Photo - Ben Ward


Waxwing, 29th November 2019.


Stonechat, 29th November 2019.

Little Egret, 29th November 2019.
November 28th. Northerly wind and rain for most of day.
 Heading north were 41 Brent Goose, 13 Wigeon, an Eider, 16 Common Scoter, 5 Red-throated Diver, a Black-throated Diver and a Guillemot; and south 18 Whooper Swan, 11 Wigeon, 3 Eider, a Velvet Scoter, 72 Common Scoter, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 16 Red-throated Diver and a Kittiwake. Birds around included 39 Brent Goose, 820 Pink-footed Goose, 29 Shoveler, 10 Gadwall, 231 Wigeon, a Pintail (Croftmarsh), 202 Teal, 82 Tufted Duck, 40 Common Scoter, 2 Red-throated Diver, 10 Little Egret, 5 Gannet, 437 Cormorant, 90 Lapwing, 1500 Oystercatcher, 8 Turnstone, a Snipe, 2 Tawny Owl, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Kestrel, a Peregrine, a Chiffchaff, 9 Goldcrest, a Treecreeper, 41 Starling, 26 Blackbird, 3 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush, a Water Pipit (off Tennyson's Sands), a Bullfinch, 3 Greenfinch, a Siskin and 2 Lapland Bunting (north over the Old Saltmarsh).   

November 27th. Rain for most of day.
 Birds around included 180 Brent Goose, 800 Pink-footed Goose, 28 Shoveler, 46 Gadwall, 213 Wigeon, 2 Pintail (Jackson's Marsh), 124 Teal, 81 Tufted Duck, 14 Little Egret, a male Hen Harrier (from Wash Viewpoint), 230 Lapwing, 160 Golden Plover, a Woodcock, 2 Snipe, 2 Tawny Owl, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Kestrel, 2 Blackcap, 8 Goldcrest, a Treecreeper, 55 Starling, 40 Blackbird, 116 Fieldfare, 11 Redwing, 6 Song Thrush, 26 Robin, a Stonechat (Visitor Centre Car Park), a Water Pipit (Jackson's Marsh), a Bullfinch, 4 Greenfinch, 2 Siskin and a Yellowhammer.

November 26th. Around, including birds trapped, were 200 Brent Goose, 2000 Pink-footed Goose, 40 Shelduck, 12 Shoverler, 45 Gadwall, 6 Pintail (1 Jackson's Marsh and 4 on the Estuary), 2 Pochard, 32 Tufted Duck, 67 Eider (on the Estuary), 19 Little Egret, 2 Sparrowhawk, a male Hen Harrier (from Wash Viewpoint), a Buzzard, 1900 Oystercatcher, 160 Lapwing, 270 Golden Plover, 3 Turnstone, 3 Woodcock, 17 Snipe, 2 Stock Dove, 2 Tawny Owl, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Kestrel, a Coal Tit, a Chiffchaff, 2 Treecreeper, 8 Goldcrest, 35 Starling, 28 Blackbird, 33 Fieldfare, 9 Redwing, 4 Song Thrush, a Mistle Thrush, 27 Robin, a Stonechat (around Visitor Centre), a Water Pipit (Freshwater Marsh), a Bullfinch, 4 Greenfinch, a Redpoll Sp, 2 Siskin, 3 Corn Bunting (Visitor Centre Car Park early morning) and a Yellowhammer.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue resulted in 2 new Goldfinch; and 5 retraps: a Robin, a Treecreeper, a Goldcrest, a Blue Tit and a Great Tit.

Treecreeper, retrapped 26th November 2019.
Photo - George Gregory
November 25th. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Pale-bellied Brent Goose (from Wash Viewpoint late afternoon), 280 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2893 Pink-footed Goose, 3 White-fronted Goose (from Wash Viewpoint late afternoon), 79 Shelduck, 15 Shoveler, 32 Gadwall, 406 Wigeon, 5 Pintail (3 Jackson's Marsh and 2 Millennium Ridge), 115 Teal, 2 Pochard, 52 Tufted Duck, 7 Little Egret, a Great White Egret (Wash Viewpoint in the morning and presumably the same south over East Dunes midday), a Sparrowhawk, 2 Marsh Harrier, a male Hen Harrier, 140 Lapwing, 13 Golden Plover, a Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Turnstone, a Woodcock, 2 Snipe, a Mediterranean Gull (into Wash roost), 26 Stock Dove, 2 Tawny Owl, a Kingfisher (Jackson's Marsh), a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Kestrel, a Merlin, a Peregrine, 8 Goldcrest, a Treecreeper, 40 Starling, 45 Blackbird, 73 Fieldfare, 55 Redwing, 4 Song Thrush, 31 Robin, 2 Stonechat (Storm Ridge), 18 Tree Sparrow (to the north of the reserve), a Water Pipit (Jackson's Marsh), 2 Bullfinch, 14 Greenfinch and 2 Siskin. Moving south were 7 Eider, 22 Common Scoter and 4 Red-breasted Merganser.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 6 new birds: a Goldcrest, 3 Greenfinch and 2 Blackbird; and 8 retraps: 2 Goldcrest, a Robin, a Wren, 3 Blue Tit and a Great Tit.

Hen Harrier, 25th November 2019
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth
November 24th. Soggy start.
 A late Pallas's Warbler was discovered by the Plantation feeding station in the morning, then frequented the east side of the Plantation throughout the rest of the day. Around, including birds trapped, were 274 Brent Goose, 2600 Pink-footed Goose, 5 White-fronted Goose (Croftmarsh), 62 Shelduck, 46 Shoveler, 54 Gadwall, 314 Wigeon, 3 Pintail (Jackson's Marsh), 2 Pochard, 67 Tufted Duck, 2 Eider, 71 Common Scoter, 8 Little Egret, 3 Sparrowhawk, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Water Rail, 358 Lapwing, a Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Turnstone, 92 Redshank, 2 Woodcock, a Jack Snipe (at the north end), 8 Snipe, 20 Stock Dove, 2 Tawny Owl, a Short-eared Owl, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Green Woodpecker, a Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 2 Firecrest (1 Plantation and 1 East Dunes), 16 Goldcrest, 2 Treecreeper, 80 Starling, 114 Blackbird, 26 Fieldfare, 147 Redwing, 13 Song Thrush, 47 Robin, a Stonechat (Freshwater Marsh), a Water Pipit (Jackson's Marsh), 60 Chaffinch, 3 Brambling, 4 Bullfinch, 22 Greenfinch, a Redpoll sp, 8 Siskin and 4 Corn Bunting (Visitor Centre Car Park). Heading south were 68 Pink-footed Goose, a Pintail, 113 Lapwing, 137 Golden Plover, 6 Skylark, 2 Fieldfare, 36 Redwing, 2 Alba Wagtail, 5 Meadow Pipit, 28 Chaffinch, 3 Brambling, 32 Goldfinch and 16 Siskin; and west 2 Fieldfare and 21 Redwing.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 8 new birds: 2 Goldcrest, a Wren, 2 Robin, a Reed Bunting and 2 Greenfinch; and 5 retraps: a Robin, a Blackbird, a Blue Tit, a Greenfinch and a Great Tit.

Pallas's Warbler, 24th November 2019
Stuart Ainsworth

Pallas's Warbler, 24th November 2019.
Video - Ben Ward

November 23rd. Rain until early afternoon, then in late afternoon.
 The Hawfinch remained in the Plantation. On Croftmarsh were 110 Lapwing, a Black-tailed Godwit, a Spotted Redshank, 5 Stock Dove and a Nordic Jackdaw. Birds around included 180 Brent Goose, 90 Pink-footed Goose, 43 Shoveler, 62 Gadwall, 318 Wigeon, 2 Pintail (1 Jackson's Marsh and 1 Croftmarsh), 121 Teal, 2 Pochard (Mere), 53 Tufted Duck, 83 Common Scoter, a Great Crested Grebe, 6 Little Egret, 2 Sparrowhawk, a male Hen Harrier, a Buzzard, a Water Rail, 12 Turnstone, a Woodcock, a Snipe, 2 Tawny Owl, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Green Woodpecker, 2 Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, 12 Goldcrest, a Treecreeper, 70 Starling, 147 Blackbird, 3 Fieldfare, 38 Redwing, 8 Song Thrush, 53 Robin, 3 Stonechat (2 Visitor Centre Car Park and Greenshanks Creek), 3 Water Pipit (2 Freshwater Marsh and 1 Jackson's Marsh), 2 Brambling (Plantation), 2 Bullfinch, 8 Greenfinch, a Siskin and a Snow Bunting (over Mill Hill).

Fieldfare, 23rd November 2019.
Photo - Ben Ward
November 22nd. Soggy start.
 4 White-fronted Goose appeared on Croftmarsh in the afternoon, where there was also a Water Pipit. A Waxwing was at North Building in the morning and the Hawfinch was heard in the Plantation late afternoon. Around, including birds trapped, were 344 Brent Goose, 800 Pink-footed Goose, 62 Shelduck, 31 Shoveler, 59 Gadwall, 416 Wigeon, 3 Pintail (Jackson's Marsh), 339 Teal, 3 Pochard, 75 Tufted Duck, 5 Little Egret, 4 Sparrowhawk, a Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard, a Water Rail, 87 Lapwing, 60 Golden Plover, a Woodcock, 2 Snipe, a Stock Dove, 2 Tawny Owl, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Kestrel, 8 Goldcrest, a Treecreeper, 70 Starling, 56 Blackbird, 2 Fieldfare, 28 Redwing, 6 Song Thrush, 11 Stonechat (2 Visitor Centre, 2 Croftmarsh, 2 Freshwater Marsh and 5 at the North End), 7 Meadow Pipit, 14 Rock Pipit, 4 Brambling (Plantation), 2 Bullfinch, 8 Greenfinch, a Siskin and a Snow Bunting (Millennium Ridge). Flying south were 157 Lapwing, a Brambling and a Lapland Bunting.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue yielded 6 new birds: a Great Tit and 5 Blackbird; and 4 retraps: a Wren, 2 Goldcrest and a Blue Tit.

Redwing, 22nd November 2019.
Photo - Nige Lound
November 21st. Moderately strong south-easterly wind.
 18 White-fronted Goose were on Croftmarsh in the morning where they were joined by a further 2 birds that arrived from the north with 76 Pink-footed Goose, later relocating to Jackson's Marsh Meadow prior to flying west late afternoon. The Hawfinch remained in the Plantation, seen at the Yacht Club in the morning and at the Feeding Station mid-day. Birds around, including those trapped, were 330 Brent Goose, 2000 Pink-footed Goose, 23 Shelduck, 16 Shoveler, 94 Gadwall, 183 Wigeon, 5 Pintail (2 Estuary and 3 Jackson's Marsh), 162 Teal, a Pochard, 93 Tufted Duck, 7 Little Egret, 2 Sparrowhawk, a Marsh Harrier, a male Hen Harrier, a Water Rail, 120 Lapwing, 29 Golden Plover, 7 Turnstone, a Woodcock, a Jack Snipe, 2 Snipe, a Mediterranean Gull, 11 Stock Dove, 2 Tawny Owl, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Kestrel, a Chiffchaff, 12 Goldcrest, a Treecreeper, 110 Starling, 55 Blackbird, 19 Redwing, 11 Song Thrush, 36 Robin, a Water Pipit (over Sykes Farm), 2 Bullfinch, 6 Greenfinch and 8 Siskin. Offshore were an Eider, 73 Common Scoter and a Great Northern Diver.
 A wind-restricted morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, with Mike Polling, provided 6 new birds: a Goldcrest, a Wren, a Chaffinch, a Goldfinch, a Greenfinch and a Song Thrush; and 24 retraps: a Wren, 7 Blue Tit, a Goldcrest, a Blackbird, 2 Dunnock, 5 Great Tit, 3 Robin and 4 Long-tailed Tit.
Hawfinch, 21st November 2019
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth
Hawfinch, 21st November 2019
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth
White-fronted Goose, 21st November 2019
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

White-fronted Goose, 21st November 2019.
Photos - Jim Shaw

White-fronted Goose, 21st November 2019.
Video - Ben Ward