October 20th. Fairly strong southerly wind, slowly decreasing.
The Dusky Warbler remained in West Dunes. A probable male Parrot Crossbill flew south. On the Mere were 2 Jack Snipe and a Snipe. Around were 40 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2050 Pink-footed Goose, 2 White-fronted Goose, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, a Marsh Harrier, a Kingfisher, a Merlin, 29 Fieldfare, 26 Redwing, 9 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff and a Brambling. Also flying south were 4 Snipe and a Crossbill; and north a Black-throated Diver and a Gannet.
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| Snipe, 20 October 2020. Photo - Stuart Ainsworth |
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| Sparrowhawk, 20 October 2020. Photo - Stuart Ainsworth |
Ringing Controls:
Blackbird, ringed North Somercotes, Lincolnshire 16 October 2018, controlled GPBO 16 October 2020
Coal Tit, ringed Theddlethorpe, Lincolnshire 12 October 2020, controlled GPBO 14 October 2020
October 19th. The Dusky Warbler was still present in West Dunes. On the Mere was a Jack Snipe. Birds around, including those trapped, were 56 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 600 Pink-footed Goose, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Snipe, a Merlin, a Peregrine, a Fieldfare, 23 Redwing, 12 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap and a Brambling. Going south were 9 Swallow and 4 House Martin.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 5 new birds: a Wren, a Goldcrest, a Blackcap, a Song Thrush and a Blackbird; and 9 retraps: a Blackcap, a Robin, 2 Dunnock, 2 Blackbird, a Chiffchaff and 2 Wren.
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| Dusky Warbler, 19th October 2020 Photo - Stuart Ainsworth |
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| Fieldfare and Song Thrush, 19th October 2020 Photo - Stuart Ainsworth |
October 18th. The Dusky Warbler was still present in West Dunes. On the Mere were 2 Jack Snipe. Offshore were a Great Skua and a Goldeneye. The morning high tide roost involved 100,000 waders, mostly Knot but also 9000 Oystercatcher, 7000 Bar-tailed Godwit, 6000 Dunlin and 1500 Sanderling. Around, including birds trapped, were 110 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 500 Pink-footed Goose, a Marsh Harrier, 9 Goldcrest, a late Sedge Warbler and 2 Blackcap. Finch passage included Siskin, Redpoll, Chaffinch, Brambling and 28 Crossbill. Also heading south were a 10 Swallow, a House Martin, 60 Rock Pipit and a Lapland Bunting.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 60 new birds: 2 Wren, 9 Goldcrest, a Robin, a Sedge Warbler, 4 Reed Bunting, a Blackcap, 20 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Great Tit, 3 Goldfinch, a Chaffinch, a Greenfinch, 6 Redwing, a Song Thrush and 5 Blackbird; and 3 retraps: a Dunnock, a Blackbird and a Blackcap.
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| Sedge Warbler, ringed 18 October 2020. Photo - George Gregory |
October 17th. The Dusky Warbler remained in West Dunes all day. Birds around, including those trapped, were 45 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 700 Pink-footed Goose, 320 Wigeon, 3 Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, 3 Marsh Harrier, 2 Woodcock, 2 Jack Snipe, a Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank, a Green Woodpecker, 2 Merlin, 29 Goldcrest, 2 Firecrest, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, a Cetti's Warbler (Mere Bridge), a Siberian Chiffchaff, 9 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 350 Fieldfare, 150 Blackbird, 500 Redwing, 6 Song Thrush, 4 Stonechat, a Swallow, 9 Brambling, 2 Crossbill and a Lapland Bunting. In off the sea came a Woodcock; and south went 45 Whooper Swan, 6 Crossbill and 6 Siskin.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 63 new birds: 2 Chiffchaff, 11 Goldcrest, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Robin, 2 Reed Bunting, a Stonechat, a Brambling, 2 Goldfinch, a Blue Tit, 2 Dunnock, 8 Redwing, a Song Thrush, 24 Blackbird, a Woodcock and a Sparrowhawk; and 11 retraps: a Blackcap, a Redwing, 2 Blackbird, 3 Goldcrest, a Dunnock, a Robin and 2 Long-tailed Tit.
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| Dusky Warbler, 17 October 2020. Photo - James Siddle |
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| Dusky Warbler, 17 October 2020. Photo - James Siddle |
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| Stonechat, ringed 17 October 2020. Photo - George Gregory |
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| Brambling, ringed 17 October 2020. Photo - George Gregory |
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| Woodcock, ringed 17 October 2020. Photo - George Gregory |
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| Sparrowhawk, ringed 17 October 2020. Photo - George Gregory |
October 16th. A vocal but elusive Dusky Warbler was discovered in West Dunes. Again several hundred Redwing and some Blackbird and Song Thrush arrived overnight then mostly cleared out westward early morning. Around, including birds trapped, were 400 Pink-footed Goose, 60 Pintail, a Sparrowhawk, 13 Woodcock, 17 Goldcrest, 4 Yellow-browed Warbler (1 Halfway Sycamores, 1 Sleeper Track, 1 Sykes Farm, 1 Gibraltar Road edge north of Aylmer Avenue), a Willow Warbler, a Siberian Chiffchaff, 3 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, a Wheatear, a Black Redstart, 4 Stonechat, 2 Ring Ouzel, 30 Brambling, 35 Crossbill, a Hawfinch (mobile) and a Lapland Bunting. Offshore were a Velvet Scoter and a Long-tailed Skua. On the Mere were 2 Jack Snipe. Heading north was a Swallow; and south were 300 Pink-footed Goose.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 44 new birds: 16 Goldcrest, 2 Wren, 4 Robin, 2 Blackcap, a Blue Tit, 10 Redwing, 5 Song Thrush and 4 Blackbird; and 6 retraps: a Goldcrest, 2 Blackcap, a Blue Tit, a Redwing and a Blackbird.
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| Dusky Warbler, 16 October 2020. Photo - James Siddle |
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| Black Redstart, 16 October 2020. Photo - James Siddle |
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| Long-tailed Skua, 16 October 2020. Photo - Owen Beaumont |
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| Fieldfare, 16 October 2020. Photo - Nige Lound |
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| Muntjac in Decoy, 16 October 2020. Photo - Nige Lound |
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| Dune Cup (Peziza ammophila), 16 October 2020. Photo - Kevin Wilson |
October 15th. Quite strong north-easterly wind, slowly decreasing.
Several hundred Redwing arrived then mostly departed west. In off the sea came 4 Short-eared Owl. Birds around, including those trapped, were 72 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 6 Barnacle Goose, 1500 Pink-footed Goose, 3 Scaup, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Greenshank, a Woodcock, 2 Jack Snipe (1 Mere, 1 New Saltmarsh), a Short-eared Owl, a Merlin, a Peregrine, 120 Goldcrest, a Yellow-browed Warbler (East Dunes), 4 Blackcap, a Redstart, 2 Black Redstart (Visitor Centre), 5 Stonechat, a Wheatear, a Ring Ouzel (East Dunes), 9599 Starling, 2 Twite, 30 Brambling and a Lapland Bunting. Flying north were a Great Northern Diver, a Swallow and 4 Crossbill; and south 2 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 770 Pink-footed Goose, a Raven, 3 Swallow and a House Martin.
A wind-restricted morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue yielded 24 new birds: 7 Goldcrest, 4 Blackcap, a Robin, 8 Redwing, a Song Thrush and 3 Blackbird; and 3 retraps: a Wren, a Goldcrest and a Blue Tit.
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| Waders, 15 October 2020. Photo - Chris Martin |
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| Waders, 15 October 2020. Photo - Chris Martin |
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| Wheatear, 15th October 2020 Photo - Stuart Ainsworth |
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| Rainbow, 15 October 2020. Photo - Nige Lound |
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| Starling roost, 15 October 2020. Photo - Nige Lound |
A Barred Warbler was trapped in East Dunes and ringed; after release it was on Storm Ridge. Around, including birds trapped, were 45 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3000 Pink-footed Goose, 49 Pintail (water bodies), 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Jack Snipe (1 Mere, 1 East Dunes), a Short-eared Owl, a Merlin, a Peregrine, 120+ Goldcrest, a Firecrest, a Chiffchaff, 4 Yellow-browed Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 500 Redwing(including many then west), 18 Fieldfare, 4 Ring Ouzel, a Black Redstart (Visitor Centre), 7 Stonechat, 22 Siskin and 30 Brambling (including several south). In off the sea came a Short-eared Owl. Heading north offshore were 2 Goldeneye, a Velvet Scoter, a Great Skua, an Arctic Skua and a Great Northern Diver; and south 2 Great Skua.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 139 new birds: a Wren, 59 Goldcrest, a Yellow-browed Warbler, a Firecrest, 6 Long-tailed Tit, a Chiffchaff, a Chaffinch, a Brambling, 2 Robin, 2 Blackcap, 8 Reed Bunting, a Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit, a Coal Tit, a Barred Warbler, a Dunnock, 7 Song Thrush, 16 Redwing and 28 Blackbird; 6 retraps: 2 Blackcap, a Dunnock, 2 Blackbird, a Goldcrest and a Robin; and a control Coal Tit.
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| Brambling, ringed 14 October 2020. Photo - George Gregory |
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| Yellow-browed Warbler, ringed 14 October 2020. Photo - George Gregory |
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| Barred Warbler, ringed 14 October 2020. Photo - George Gregory |
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| Firecrest, ringed 14 October 2020. Photo - George Gregory |
Ringing Control: Lesser Whitethroat, ringed GPBO 6 October 2020, controlled Wassenaar, Netherlands 9 October 2020.
October 13th. Rain until early morning, then soggy.
An arrival of thrushes involved 800 Redwing and lesser numbers of Fieldfares, Blackbirds and Song Thrushes. Birds around included 45 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2000 Pink-footed Goose, 40 Pintail, 4 Marsh Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler (1 Gibraltar Road side, 1 Mill Hill), a Chiffchaff, 30 Blackcap, a Garden Warbler, 3 Ring Ouzel and a Song Thrush. Going west were 2 Fieldfare; and east a Lapland Bunting.
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| Small Copper, 13 October 2020. Photo - Nige Lound |
October 12th. Around, including birds trapped, were 34 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3000+ Pink-footed Goose, a Sparrowhawk, a Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap, 6 Redwing and 2 Song Thrush. Heading south were 19 Whooper Swan.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 32 new birds: 3 Wren, a Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaff, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 5 Blackcap, a Robin, a Linnet, 2 Great Tit, a Reed Bunting, 2 Song Thrush, 5 Blackbird, a Starling and a Sparrowhawk; and a retrap Robin.
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| Sparrowhawk, ringed 12 October 2020. Photo - George Gregory |
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| Sparrowhawk, ringed 12 October 2020. Photo - George Gregory |
October 11th. Most of about 500 Redwing and of about 100 Blackbird cleared out westward shortly after dawn, having roosted overnight. Also flying west were a Buzzard and a Sparrowhawk; south 9 Brambling and 2 Siskin; and north 2 Goldeneye, a Great Skua and an Arctic Skua. An arrival of Blackcap involved 80 along East Dunes. On the Mere was Water Rail. Birds around, including those trapped, were 80 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2000 Pink-footed Goose, a Marsh Harrier, a Spotted Redshank, a Short-eared Owl, a Kingfisher, a Green Woodpecker, 2 Merlin, a Peregrine, a Chiffchaff, 6 Yellow-browed Warbler, a Red-breasted Flycatcher (near Shovelers Pool), a Ring Ouzel, a Song Thrush, 3 Stonechat, a Wheatear, 5 Brambling, a Hawfinch (near Mill Hill) and 11 Crossbill.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 44 new birds: a Wren, a Blackcap, a Robin, a Goldfinch, 6 Great Tit, a Dunnock, 12 Redwing and 21 Blackbird; and 2 retrap Robins.
A short morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by James Siddle yielded 5 new birds: a Chiffchaff, 2 Wren, a Song Thrush and a Blackbird.
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| Yellow-browed Warbler, 11 October 2020. Photo - Paul Johnson |
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| Yellow-browed Warbler, 11 October 2020. Photo - Paul Johnson |
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| Wheatear, 11 October 2020. Photo - Nige Lound |
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| Hawfinch, 11 October 2020. Photo - Kevin Wilson |
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| Red-breasted Flycatcher, 11 October 2020. Photo - Owen Beaumont |
