Late November 2020

November 30th. Moderately strong westerly wind, with morning rain.

 Around were 14 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, an adult male Hen Harrier, a Buzzard, a Merlin, 2 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, 311 Blackbird, 5 Fieldfare, 5 Song Thrush, 4 Stonechat and a Bullfinch. On the Mere were 68 Gadwall. Flying south were 12 White-fronted Goose and a Barnacle Goose.

November 29th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 14 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2000 Pink-footed Goose, 300 Blackbird, a Black Redstart (Visitor Centre), 8 Stonechat and a Snow Bunting. Going north were 3 White-fronted Goose; and south an Iceland Gull.

 A brief morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 11 new Blackbird; and 2 retraps: a Wren and a Blackbird.

November 28th. Around, including birds trapped, were a Goldcrest and 30 Blackbird.

 A brief morning ringing session in East Dunes produced a new Blackbird; and a retrap Blue Tit.

November 27th. Frosty start.

 Birds around included 155 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1000+ Pink-footed Goose, a Great White Egret, 2 Hen Harrier (an adult male and a ringtail), 3 Woodcock (including 1 caught by a Peregrine over the beach), a Peregrine, 10 Fieldfare, 2 Redwing, 500 Blackbird, a Stonechat and a Snow Bunting. On Croftmarsh was a Buzzard.

November 26th. Frosty start.

 Around were 65 Dark-bellied Brent Goose and 2500 Pink-footed Goose, a Woodcock, a Short-eared Owl, a Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, a Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, 7 Stonechat and 15 Siskin. On Tennyson's Sands were 18 Whooper Swan (then south), a Water Rail, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Hen Harrier, a Kingfisher and a singing Cetti's Warbler; and on Croftmarsh a Buzzard.

Merlin, 25 November 2020.
Photo - Guy Barton

November 25th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 45 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Great Northern Diver, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Hen Harrier, a Swallow, 2 Redwing, a Song Thrush and 7 Blackbird. Heading south were a Marsh Harrier, 25 Redwing and a Siskin.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 6 new birds: 2 Redwing and 4 Blackbird; and 6 retraps: a Song Thrush, 3 Blackbird, a Blue Tit and a Robin. 

November 24th. Moderately strong south-westerly wind.

 Around were 155 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a male Hen Harrier, a Spotted Redshank, 2 Woodcock, a Merlin, 2 Chiffchaff and 5 Stonechat. Flying south were 30 Red-throated Diver, a Great Northern Diver, 6 Red-breasted Merganser, a Gannet, 12 Siskin and 7 Brambling; and north 1800 Pink-footed Goose. In off the sea came 140 Starling

November 23rd. Frosty start.

 Birds around included 140 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 4000 Pink-footed Goose, a Sparrowhawk, a Merlin, a Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, a Fieldfare, 8 Redwing, a Brambling, a Lapland Bunting and 2 Snow Bunting. On the Mere were 2 Snipe; and on Tennyson's Sands a Buzzard and a singing Cetti's Warbler. Going south were 27 Whooper Swan, a Great Northern Diver, 6 Red-breasted Merganser and 24 Siskin; and south-west a Marsh Harrier.

Sunset, 23 November 2020.
Photo - Sam Wilson

Cetti's Warbler, 23 November 2020.
Photo - Nige Lound

Pink-footed Goose, 23 November 2020.
Photo - Nige Lound

November 22nd. Around, including birds trapped, were 140 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2800 Pink-footed Goose, a Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard, a Sparrowhawk, a Water Rail, a Merlin, a Bearded Tit, 2 Cetti's Warbler, a Blackcap, 20 Fieldfare, 8 Redwing, 2 Stonechat, a Twite. Heading south were 33 Whooper Swan, a Bearded Tit, 21 Siskin, 2 Lapland Bunting and 2 Snow Bunting; south-east 670 Pink-footed Goose; and east 7 Egyptian Goose.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 5 new birds: a Chaffinch and 4 Blackbird; and 2 retraps: a Wren and a Great Tit.

Buzzard, 22 November 2020.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

November 21st. Moderately strong south-westerly wind.

 Birds around included 30 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Hen Harrier, a Barn Owl, a Merlin, 3 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, 2 Stonechat, a Corn Bunting and a Lapland Bunting. Flying south were 6 Whooper Swan and a Velvet Scoter.