October 10th. Rain from mid to late morning, then in mid afternoon.
In the afternoon 2764 Redwing came in from the east, with many continuing west. Birds around, including those trapped, were 30 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1500 Pink-footed Goose, a Great White Egret, 3 Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaff, 6 Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 16 Stonechat, 5 Fieldfare, a Ring Ouzel and 2 Song Thrush. Going south from were 17 Whooper Swan, a Great Skua, a Hen Harrier, 9 Buzzard, 4 Sparrowhawk, 20 Crossbill and 2 Lapland Bunting.
A rain-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 24 new birds: 3 Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaff, a Wren, 2 Blackcap, 2 Robin, a Goldfinch, 7 Reed Bunting, 3 Dunnock and 2 Song Thrush; and 3 retraps: a Dunnock and 2 Robin.
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| Redwing, 10 October 2020. Photo - James Siddle |
October 9th. A Bluethroat was discovered at the saltings edge near North Building, but disappeared into thick cover mate morning. Around, including birds trapped, were 1500 Pink-footed Goose, a Sparrowhawk, 12 Goldcrest, 10 Chiffchaff, 13 Blackcap, 8 Song Thrush, 7 Stonechat and 2 Treecreeper.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes by Christine Flint and Carole Lunn produced 43 new birds: 6 Wren, 4 Goldcrest, 8 Chiffchaff, 6 Blackcap, 5 Robin, 3 Reed Bunting, 3 Chaffinch, a Great Tit, 4 Dunnock and 3 Song Thrush; and 6 retraps: 2 Robin, 2 Blackcap, a Dunnock and a Chiffchaff.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 27 new birds: 5 Wren, 7 Goldcrest, a Treecreeper, 3 Robin, 4 Blackcap, a Dunnock, 5 Song Thrush and a Blackbird; and 10 retraps: a Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, a Dunnock, 4 Wren, a Blue Tit, a Goldcrest and a Treecreeper.
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| Treecreeper, ringed 9th October 2020. Photo - George Gregory |
October 8th. Fairly strong westerly wind, slowly decreasing, with rain until mid morning.
Birds around, including those trapped, were 37 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1730 Pink-footed Goose, 36 Shoveler, 2 Snipe, a Green Sandpiper, a Grey Heron, a Great White Egret, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Buzzard, 2 Tawny Owl, a Green Woodpecker, 12 House Martin, 56 Goldcrest, 41 Chiffchaff, a Yellow-browed Warbler, 7 Blackcap, 2 Treecreeper, 3000 Starling, a Ring Ouzel, 3 Redwing, 15 Song Thrush, 6 Stonechat, a Tree Pipit, a Water Pipit, 22 Siskin and a Lapland Bunting. On Jackson's Marsh were a Pintail and a Water Rail. Flying south was a Swallow.
A brief, weather-delayed ringing session in East Dunes by Christine Flint and Carole Lunn resulted in 5 new birds: 2 Goldcrest, a Wren, a Robin and a Dunnock.
A short, weather delayed ringing session at Aylmer Avenue resulted in 26 new birds: 16 Chiffchaff, 5 Goldcrest, a Blackcap, a Blue Tit, a Great Tit, a Redwing and a Song Thrush; and 10 retraps: 2 Dunnock, a Great Tit, 2 Blue Tit, a Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest and a Blackcap.
October 7th. Increasing south-westerly wind.
Visible migration highlights included 28 Whooper Swan, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Hen Harrier, an Osprey, a Great White Egret, a Spoonbill, 3 Hawfinch, 5 Crossbill and 4 Lapland Bunting all south. Around, including birds trapped, were 1400 Pink-footed Goose, 8 Whooper Swan, a Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank, a Green Sandpiper, a Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard, 2 Tawny Owl, a Green Woodpecker, 37 Goldcrest, a Cetti's Warbler, 28 Chiffchaff, 3 Yellow-browed Warbler, 22 Blackcap, 2 Treecreeper, a Ring Ouzel, 23 Song Thrush, 7 Redwing, 6 Stonechat and a Crossbill.
A wind-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes by Christine Flint and Carole Lunn provided 31 new birds: 3 Wren, 4 Goldcrest, 7 Chiffchaff, a Cetti's Warbler, a Reed Bunting, 3 Robin, 2 Blackcap, a Blue Tit, 4 Dunnock, 4 Song Thrush and a Blackbird; and 2 retraps: a Blackcap and a Robin.
A wind-shortened morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 58 new birds: 8 Chiffchaff, 4 Wren, 13 Goldcrest, 14 Blackcap, 4 Robin, 4 Dunnock, 9 Song Thrush and 2 Redwing; and 7 retraps: a Robin, 2 Dunnock, a Chiffchaff, 2 Blackbird and a Wren.
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| Spoonbill and Whooper Swans, 7 October 2020. Photo - Kevin Wilson |
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| Whooper Swans, 7 October 2020. Photo - Kevin Wilson |
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| Cetti's Warbler, ringed 7 October 2020. Photo - Christine Flint |
Ringing Control: Blackcap, ringed GPBO 17 August 2020, controlled Lancing, West Sussex 5 October 2020.
October 6th. A Hawfinch flew south over Beach Car Park in the morning. Other highlights moving south included 55 Whooper Swan, 68 House Martin, a Ring Ouzel, 4 Tree Pipit and 8 Crossbill. Birds around, including those trapped, were 2000 Pink-footed Goose, 6 Whooper Swan, 51 Pintail, a Water Rail, 175 Lapwing, 300 Golden Plover, 8 Snipe, a Common Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, 4 Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshank, a Grey Heron, 16 Little Egret, 2 Sparrowhawk, a Marsh Harrier,a ringtail Hen Harrier, 2 Buzzard, 2 Tawny Owl, a Short-eared Owl, 2 Kingfisher, a Green Woodpecker, 6 Kestrel, a Merlin, a Hobby, 5 Yellow-browed Warbler, 62 Chiffchaff, a Siberian Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat, 24 Blackcap, a Firecrest, 52 Goldcrest, 2 Treecreeper, 4000 Starling, a Ring Ouzel, 49 Redwing, 20 Song Thrush, 7 Redstart, a Whinchat, 9 Stonechat, 2 Wheatear, a Yellow Wagtail, a Grey Wagtail, 2 Water Pipit, a Brambling and a Crossbill.
A long ringing session in East Dunes by Christine Flint and Carole Lunn produced 52 new birds: 12 Chiffchaff, 3 Wren, a Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 6 Goldcrest, 11 Blackcap, 4 Robin, 2 Reed Bunting, a Linnet, a Great Tit, 3 Dunnock and 6 Song Thrush; and 3 retraps: a Willow Warbler, a Redwing and a Robin.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 38 new birds: 13 Chiffchaff, 10 Goldcrest, a Wren, a Willow Warbler, 3 Robin, a Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, 3 Blue Tit, a Dunnock and 2 Song Thrush; and 10 retraps: 2 Goldcrest, a Dunnock, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Blue Tit, a Chiffchaff and a Treecreeper.
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| Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 October 2020. Photo - Kevin Wilson |
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| Brambling, 6 October 2020. Photo - Kevin Wilson |
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| Yellow-browed Warbler, 6 October 2020. Photo - Christine Flint |
October 5th. Soggy start.
An excellent day for visible migration with 5 Shelduck, 28 Pintail, 5 Golden Plover, 7 Snipe, a Great White Egret, 4 Sparrowhawk, a Marsh Harrier, 44 Rook, 5 Carrion Crow, 11 Jackdaw, 108 Swallow, 699 Skylark, 16 Redwing, 45 Alba Wagtail, 17 Grey Wagtail, 571 Meadow Pipit, 52 Rock Pipit, 2 Tree Pipit, 244 Chaffinch, 1210 Linnet, 1213 Redpoll, 80 Crossbill, 481 Siskin, 437 Reed Bunting and a Yellowhammer all south. Around, including birds trapped, were 60 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Pintail, a Jack Snipe, 3 Snipe, a Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank, a Sparrowhawk, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Buzzard, 2 Tawny Owl, a Kingfisher, a Green Woodpecker, 8 Kestrel, a Merlin, a Hobby, 52 Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, 7 Yellow-browed Warbler, 34 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 75 Goldcrest, 2 Firecrest, 2 Treecreeper, 1600 Starling, 2 Ring Ouzel, 28 Blackbird, 18 Redwing, 34 Song Thrush, 71 Robin, a Pied Flycatcher, 8 Redstart, 12 Stonechat,12 Tree Sparrow, 3 Grey Wagtail, 2 Tree Pipit, 4 Brambling, 90 Redpoll sp, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 40 Siskin and a Corn Bunting. On the Mere were a Water Rail and a Jack Snipe; and on Tennyson's Sands 3 Ruff and a Little Stint.
A long ringing session in East Dunes by Christine Flint and Carole Lunn yielded 75 new birds: 9 Chiffchaff, 17 Goldcrest, a Willow Warbler, a Wren, 12 Blackcap, a Great Tit, 5 Robin, 8 Reed Bunting, 8 Goldfinch, a Chaffinch, a Linnet, 2 Lesser Redpoll, a Whitethroat, 5 Dunnock and 3 Song Thrush; and 9 retraps: 4 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Blackcap, and 2 Goldcrest.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue yielded 18 new birds: 4 Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaff, 9 Blackcap, a Song Thrush and a Blackbird; and 5 retraps: a Goldcrest, a Dunnock, 2 Robin and a Chiffchaff.
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| Jack Snipe, 5th October 2020 Photo - Stuart Ainsworth |
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| Hobby, 5th October 2020 Photo - Stuart Ainsworth |
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| Red Fox, 5th October 2020. Photo - Ben Ward |
October 4th. A Honey Buzzard was seen to the north of the reserve in the morning and later flew south over the reserve. Birds around, including those trapped, were a 73 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 180 Wigeon, a Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Tawny Owl, a Merlin, 9 Yellow-browed Warbler, a Willow Warbler, 31 Chiffchaff, 36 Blackcap, 45 Goldcrest, 2 Treecreeper, 8 Ring Ouzel, 101 Song Thrush, 35 Redwing, 9 Redstart, a Pied Flycatcher (East Dunes), a Whinchat, 9 Stonechat, 2 Wheatear, 3 Tree Pipit, 3 Brambling and a Lapland Bunting. Heading south were a ringtail Hen Harrier, 11 Swallow, 29 Brambling, 20 Redpoll sp, 22 Crossbill, 46 Siskin and a Lapland Bunting; and north 75 Pink-footed Goose. On the Mere were 29 Pintail and a Jack Snipe.
A long ringing session in East Dunes by Christine Flint and Carole Lunn provided 109 new birds: 7 Chiffchaff, 20 Goldcrest, a Redstart, 29 Robin, 19 Blackcap, 3 Reed Bunting, a Pied Flycatcher, 2 Brambling, 2 Dunnock, 22 Song Thrush, a Redwing and 2 Blackbird; and 5 retraps: 2 Blackcap, a Blue Tit, a Long-tailed Tit and a Great Tit.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 35 new birds: 3 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, a Wren, 4 Robin, 3 Blackcap, a Lesser Redpoll, a Blue Tit, 2 Dunnock, 17 Song Thrush, a Redwing and a Sparrowhawk; and 13 retraps: 2 Wren, 5 Blue Tit, a Robin, 4 Great Tit and a Long-tailed Tit.
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| Jack Snipe, 4th October 2020. Photo - James Siddle |
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| Tree Pipit, 4th October 2020. Photo - James Siddle |
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| Yellow-browed Warbler, 4th October 2020. Photo - James Siddle |
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| Redstart, 4 October 2020. Photo - Paul Johnson |
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| Redwing, 4 October 2020. Photo - Paul Johnson |
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| Sparrowhawk, ringed 4 October 2020. Photo - George Gregory |
October 3rd. Fairly strong north-easterly wind, with rain for most of day.
Around, and arriving through the day, were 70 Shoveler, 14 Gadwall, 11 Pintail, 127 Teal, 6 Snipe, 3 Jack Snipe, 28 Little Egret, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Buzzard, 2 Tawny Owl, a Short-eared Owl, 2 Kingfisher, a Green Woodpecker, 9 Kestrel, a Peregrine, 4 Willow Warbler, 36 Chiffchaff, a Siberian Chiffchaff (Gibraltar Road north of the reserve), 12 Yellow-browed Warbler, a Cetti's Warbler, a Barred Warbler (East Dunes), 28 Blackcap, 71 Goldcrest, 3 Treecreeper, 1200 Starling, 12 Ring Ouzel, 37 Blackbird, 148 Redwing, 314 Song Thrush, 108 Robin, 7 Redstart, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Pied Flycatcher, a Red-breasted Flycatcher (briefly at the south east corner of the Golf Course), a Whinchat, 17 Stonechat, a Wheatear, 3 Tree Pipit, 8 Rock Pipit, 40 Brambling, a Hawfinch (Plantation), 28 Redpoll, 2 Crossbill and 25 Siskin. On Tennyson's Sands were 51 Pintail, 1520 Teal, a Water Rail, 15 Avocet, 2 Ruff, 2 Snipe, 3 Spotted Redshank and 2 Greenshank; and on Croftmarsh 3 Water Pipit. Flying south were 8 Swallow; west 13 Grey Heron and a Short-eared Owl; and north over the sea a Scaup.
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| Redstart, 3rd October 2020 Photo - Stuart Ainsworth |
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| Short-eared Owl, 3rd October 2020. Photo - Ben Ward |
October 2nd. Increasing easterly wind.
In the morning a Hawfinch flew over Sykes Farm and into the Plantation, where there were 2 Yellow-browed Warbler. Flying north over the sea was a Pomarine Skua. On Tennyson's Sands were 19 Avocet, 9 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Spotted Redshank and a Greenshank. Birds around, including those trapped, were 1100 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Snipe, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, 2 Tawny Owl, a Green Woodpecker, 5 Kestrel, 13 Chiffchaff, 7 Blackcap, 29 Goldcrest, 2 Treecreeper, 3000 Starling, 6 Redwing, 11 Song Thrush, 18 Robin, a Redstart, 6 Stonechat, a Wheatear, a Brambling, 28 Redpoll sp and 15 Siskin.
A wind-shortened morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 16 new birds: 2 Wren, 4 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap, 2 Blue Tit and 2 Song Thrush; and 7 retraps: a Wren, 2 Dunnock, a Goldcrest, 2 Blue Tit and a Chiffchaff.
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| Wheatear, 2nd October 2020. Photo - Ben Ward |
Ringing Control: Blackcap, ringed GPBO 24 April 2019, controlled Titchfield Haven, Hampshire 19 September 2020.
October 1st. On Tennyson's Sands were 17 Pintail, 2 Water Rail, 9 Avocet, a Grey Plover, a Ringed Plover, 9 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Ruff, 2 Snipe, 3 Spotted Redshank and a Greenshank. Around, including birds trapped, were 2000 Pink-footed Goose, 43 Shoveler, 10 Gadwall, 675 Teal, 22 Grey Heron (single flock on the beach), 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, 2 Tawny Owl, 2 Kingfisher, 3 Green Woodpecker, 6 Kestrel, a Willow Warbler, 30 Chiffchaff, 9 Yellow-browed Warbler (2 Tennyson's Sands Cycle Track, 1 West Dunes Sycamores, 4 Plantation, 1 North Building Ridge, 1 East Dunes Central), 6 Blackcap, 40 Goldcrest, 2 Treecreeper, 4000 Starling, a Ring Ouzel (Plantation), a Fieldfare, 5 Redwing, 17 Song Thrush, 36 Robin, 4 Stonechat, a Water Pipit (over Fenland Lagoon), a Brambling, 55 Redpoll sp, 3 Crossbill, 35 Siskin and 5 Lapland Bunting. Heading south were 4 Snipe, 13 Carrion Crow, 118 Skylark, 5 Tree Sparrow, 14 Alba Wagtail, 74 Meadow Pipit, 23 Chaffinch, 16 Linnet, 23 Redpoll sp, 28 Goldfinch, 4 Crossbill, 71 Siskin and 38 Reed Bunting.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 36 new birds: a Wren, 12 Goldcrest, a Robin, 3 Reed Bunting, a Goldfinch, 3 Blue Tit, 9 Great Tit, a Blackcap, a Dunnock, a Song Thrush, 2 Kingfisher and a Magpie; and 8 retraps: 2 Wren, 3 Dunnock, 2 Great Tit and a Reed Bunting.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling resulted in 16 new birds: a Wren, 5 Goldcrest, 5 Chiffchaff, a Blue Tit, a Robin, a Blackcap, a Dunnock and a Great Tit; and 3 retraps: a Blue Tit and 2 Blackcap.
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| Heron flock on beach, 1 October 2020. Photo - Kevin Wilson |
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| Ring Ouzel, 1 October 2020. Photo - Kevin Wilson |
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| Ring Ouzel, 1 October 2020. Photo - Kevin Wilson |
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| Kingfisher, ringed 1 October 2020. Photo - George Gregory |
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| Kingfisher, ringed 1 October 2020. Photo - George Gregory |
