October 10th. Damp, cloudy start, gradually clearing, with fresh north-westerly wind.
A morning sea watch didn't live up to expectations, but there was a constant stream of Gannets and highlights of single Black-throated Diver and 32 Whooper Swans south, a Puffin, a Long-tailed Skua and 20 Arctic Terns north and a Short-eared Owl that arrived over the sea. Four Stonechats were around the Visitor Centre, with 3 on the East Dune frontage and another 3 on the Outer Ridges with a Wheatear. Four Yellow-browed Warblers were around with a single in the Plantation, two around the Sykes Farm buildings and a further bird at the north end of the West Dunes. Also around were a significant number of Chiffchaffs, a smaller number of Blackcaps and 3 Cetti's warblers. A Raven went west over the West Dunes late afternoon and a Scaup was on the Mere with 12 Tufted Ducks.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Christine Flint and Carole Lunn, provided 40 new birds: 22 Chiffchaff, 6 Goldcrest, a Wren, a Cetti's Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 2 Chaffinch, 3 Reed Bunting, a Robin, a Redwing and a Song Thrush; and 2 retrap Dunnocks.
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| Goldcrest, October 2024. Photo - Paul Neale |
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| Pied Wagtail, 10th October 2024. Photo - Jack Hood  Photo - Jack Hood |
October 9th. Soggy start, mostly cloudy, with some brief spells of light rain, and variable then slowly increasing north-westerly wind.
Meadow Pipits, Rock Pipits, Linnets, Goldfinches and Reed Buntings were moving south in small groups with Chaffinches becoming more prominent in the mix now and a few Bramblings with them. Three Jay and 4 Grey Wagtail also moved south. New migrants were dripping in during the light rain, including Chaffinches, Goldfinches and a flock of 60 Redwings. 2 Yellow-browed Warblers remained around Sykes Farm where a Marbled Fern moth trapped overnight was another county first! A Ring Ouzel was on North Building Ridge with a Yellow-browed Warbler nearby and the regular male Hen Harrier was hunting the outer ridges.
An hour sea watch in the evening saw a constant throughput of Gannets, mostly juveniles, some distant Sandwich Terns, Commic Terns and Kittiwakes moving north, and 10 Arctic Skuas and a Long-tailed Skua heading south.
A rain-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 13 new birds: 3 Wren, 2 Goldcrest, a Robin, a Blackcap, 4 Reed Bunting, a Song Thrush and a Redwing; and 8 retraps: a Blackcap, 3 Robin, 2 Goldcrest, a Dunnock and a Wren.
A rain-restricted morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Christine Flint and Carole Lunn produced 10 new birds: 4 Goldcrest, 3 Wren, a Chiffchaff and 2 Blackcap.
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Water Rail, October 2024. Photo - Ste Taylor |
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| Bar-tailed Godwit, 9th October 2024. Photo - Jack Hood |
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| Marbled Fern, 9th October 2024. Photo - Nige Lound |
Early news involved three Yellow-browed Warblers, including 2 at Sykes Farm and one around the north end of the Cycle Track. Numbers of Robin had increased even further overnight, with a few more Blackbirds apparent. Two Jays went south along the East Dunes late morning where there was a good movement of Finches, Pipits and Larks.
In the late afternoon, two new Yellow-browed Warblers were found in East Dunes. Other birds around included a Hen Harrier, 2 Merlin, a Short-eared Owl and 8 Stonechat.
Moth-trapping overnight produced the first County record of the L-album Wainscot
A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 14 new birds: a Wren, 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Goldcrest, 4 Blackcap, a Stonechat and 2 Dunnock; and 5 retraps: a Robin, 2 Dunnock and 2 Goldcrest.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Christine Flint and Carole Lunn yielded 7 new birds: 2 Wren, a Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest and a Great Tit; and a retrap Goldcrest.
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| Comma, 8th October 2024. Photo - Rob Watson |
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| L-album Wainscot, 8th October. Photo - Sam Goddard |
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| Stonechat, ringed 8 October 2024. Photo - George Gregory |
Four Yellow-browed Warblers around the west side this morning included 3 around the Plantation/Sykes Farm where a Ring-necked Parakeet was also vocal. Over the East Dunes and beach visible migration was fairly busy with Rock Pipits and Reed Buntings in particularly good numbers, whilst 70,000 mixed waders were again up to roost. Birds of prey on site included a Merlin, a Peregrine, 3 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 2 Marsh Harrier and the male Hen Harrier. A Firecrest was trapped and ringed in East Dunes.
A wind-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 18 new birds: 4 Wren, 5 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, a Firecrest, 4 Blackcap, 2 Reed Bunting and a Dunnock; and 9 retraps: 2 Robin, 4 Goldcrest, a Blackcap, a Blue Tit and a Song Thrush.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Christine Flint and Carole Lunn provided 24 new birds: 2 Wren, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Long-tailed Tit, a Yellow-browed Warbler, a Goldcrest, 3 Blackcap, a Blue Tit, a Swallow, 3 Great Tit, a Robin, 4 Dunnock, a Song Thrush and a Blackbird; and 3 retraps: 2 Dunnock and a Great Tit.
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| Great Spotted Woodpecker, October 2024. Photo - Nige Lound |
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| Firecrest, ringed 7 October 2024. Photo - George Gregory |
First thing on Tennyson's Sands, there were 1800 Pink Footed Geese, 15 Pintail, 11 Mute Swan,263 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Grey Heron, a Peregrine over along with 19 Swallow south. A Great White Egret was on Croft Marsh. A Yellow-browed Warbler was very vocal at Sykes Farm from early morning and another remained up the road edge, north of Aylmer Avenue. The Sykes Farm bird was then joined by another later in the day with both showing very well.
Jays were a feature of the day with several arriving from inland - at least 14 through. A substantial wader roost was again witnessed on the morning tide with c70,000 birds involved. A Jack Snipe arrived off the sea and birds of prey included 2 Marsh Harrier, a male Hen Harrier and a Merlin. In the evening Tennyson's Sands held 2531 Teal, 60 Mallard, 50 Shoveler, 45 Little Grebe, 6 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall and a Pintail along with 3 Ruff and 650 Starling coming into roost in the reedbed.
A brief, wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 2 new birds: a Blackcap and a Reed Bunting; and 2 retraps: a Blackcap and a Robin.
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| Yellow-browed warbler, 6th October 2024. Photo - Sam Goddard |
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| Yellow-browed warbler, 6th October 2024. Photo - Sam Goddard |
Early news included a Yellow-browed Warbler that was trapped and ringed at Aylmer Avenue. The Bearded Tits were still calling, audible from Harvey's Hide (Although nobody has actually managed to get an exact count yet!). 658 Pink Footed Geese were on Tennyson's Sands at first light along with 287 Black-tailed Godwits, 11 Mute Swans, 3 Water-rail and 41 Avocet. Along the cycle path were a male Brambling, a Yellow-browed Warbler, (probably a different bird to the one ringed), a Lesser Whitethroat and a Firecrest.
At mid day, a Bittern was seen briefly but was proving elusive, also at Harvey's Hide. A 2nd winter Caspian Gull was on Tennyson's Sands whilst a Great White Egret was on Jackson's Marsh. Birds around included a Marsh Harrier. An evening count of the Teal on Tennyson's Sands revealed there were 2551 still present along with 57 Little Grebe, 1 Ruff. 200 Starling came in to roost and 180 Pink Footed Goose flew over heading towards their roost on the wash whilst the Bearded Tits were still calling at near the North end.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Jenni Godber, resulted in 31 new birds: 5 Goldcrest, 5 Wren, a Chiffchaff, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Robin, a Cetti's Warbler, 3 Reed Bunting, a Garden Warbler, 4 Blackcap and a Greenfinch; and 13 retraps: 2 Robin, a Goldcrest, a Garden Warbler, 6 Long-tailed Tit, a Dunnock, a Blue Tit and a Great Tit.
Another morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue with an earlier start by Christine Flint and Carole Lunn resulted in 30 new birds: 2 Long-tailed Tit, 10 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, a Yellow-browed Warbler, a Wren, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Great Tit, 3 Chaffinch, 3 Blackcap, 3 Robin, a Dunnock, a Redwing and a Song Thrush; and retraps: Blackcap, Dunnock and Long-tailed Tit.
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Bittern, 5th October 2024. Photo - Ste Taylor |
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Bittern, 5th October 2024. Photo - Jack Hood |
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Bearded Tit, 5th October 2024. Photo - Paul Neale |
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Bearded Tit, 5th October 2024. Photo - Paul Neale |
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Bearded Tit, 5th October 2024. Photo - Tom Baker |
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Caspian Gull, 5th October 2024. Photo - Stuart Ainsworth |
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| Water Rail juvenile moulting to adult plumage, 5th October 2024. Photo - Stuart Ainsworth |
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| Lesser Whitethroat, ringed 5 October 2024. Photo - Christine Flint |
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| Yellow-browed Warbler, ringed 5 October 2024. Photo - Christine Flint  Photo - Kev Wilson |
Overnight clear skies doubtless led to the departure of some of yesterday's birds. However, there were still at least 5 Yellow-browed Warblers present along the west side of the Reserve, including two singles around Sykes Farm/Plantation, another at the north end of the Cycle Track, and another couple along the roadside as you drive onto the reserve. A Barred Warbler was probably yesterdays bird having moved around 400 m north. There were still high numbers of Robins and Reed Buntings with a scattering of Song Thrush, Redwing, Goldfinch and a few Swallows.
A Coal Tit was in North Carpark whilst a Tawny owl was calling at first light at the North end of the West Dunes. On Tennyson's Sands were 3000+ Pink Footed Geese whilst a Great White Egret was on Croft Marsh. Around were several Brent Geese, a Marsh Harrier, a Kingfisher, a Greenshank, a Jay and a Short-eared Owl. On Tennyson's Sands from Fenella Hope hide were 2 Whooper Swans and a Cetti's Warbler with Bearded Tits calling there early afternoon. On Tennyson's Sands, late in the afternoon were 2638 Teal, 3 Ruff and the Bearded Tits (numbering at least 2 birds) calling this time, from near Harvey's Hide.
This morning's ringing session in East Dunes provided 55 new birds: 8 Goldcrest, 4 Wren, 11 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Blackcap, 9 Robin, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Chaffinch, 3 Great Tit, a Goldfinch, a Blue Tit, 3 Dunnock, 2 Greenfinch, a Redwing, a Song Thrush, a Blackbird and a Jay; 7 retraps: 2 Wren, a Goldcrest, a Dunnock, a Great Tit, a Robin and a Long-tailed Tit; and a control Blackcap with a BRUSSELS ring.
A late morning start ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Christine Flint and Carole Lunn provided 11 new birds: 3 Goldcrest, a Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, a Long-tailed Tit, a Meadow Pipit, 2 Blackcap, a Goldfinch and a Robin; and 2 retraps: a Great Tit and a Robin.
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Water Rail, 4th October 2024. Photo - Paul Neale |
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Cetti's warbler, 4th October 2024. Photo - Paul Neale |
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Cetti's warbler, 4th October 2024. Photo - Paul Neale  Photo - Russell Hayes |
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| Jay, ringed 4 October 2024. Photo - George Gregory |
There was a further arrival of Redwings, Song Thrushes, Reed Buntings, Bramblings and Chaffinches from early morning with many birds passing south along with Meadow and Rock Pipits and Swallows. There was no sign of yesterday's Olive-backed Pipit in the East Dunes but a possible OBP flew south over the West Dunes.
Two Ring Ouzels were in West Dunes and another arrived over East Dunes with Song Thrushes. The first Woodcock of the autumn was flushed from the Plantation. There were probably at least 9 Yellow-browed Warblers on the Reserve, with one in the Sallows around the Mere Hide, another in West Dunes, two in East Dunes, and others in the hedge opposite Aylmer Avenue, North Building Ridge and Halfway Sycamores and two along the Cycle Track near the Jackson's Marsh Entrance. There were 2 Jays in between North Car Park and Mill Pond. The Blyth's Reed Warbler showed briefly and called from the Sleeper Track at 8.50am. Also in the East Dunes, a Red-breasted Flycatcher, a Barred Warbler, a Firecrest, Garden Warbler and Reed Warbler. Another Firecrest was seen along the road edge.
A Dusky Warbler was discovered calling and was audio recorded and seen mid afternoon along the road edge in-between Aylmer Avenue and North Car Park. A lot of Robins were on the reserve and continued to build throughout the day. As dusk came, there were clearly new Goldcrests beginning to arrive fresh on to the reserve.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Liam Andrews, produced 65 new birds: 5 Chiffchaff, 4 Wren, 10 Goldcrest, 10 Blackcap, 16 Robin. a Brambling, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Reed Bunting, a Chaffinch, a Blue Tit, 3 Dunnock, 5 Song Thrush and 2 Redwing; and 3 retraps: 2 Wren and a Robin.
An afternoon ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Liam Andrews produced 9 new birds: 4 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap and a Robin; and 2 retrap Dunnock.
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Ring Ouzel, 3rd October 2024. Photo - Stuart Ainsworth |
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Ring Ouzel, 3rd October 2024. Photo - Andy Sims |
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Ring Ouzel, 3rd October 2024. Photo - Rikki Clark |
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Redwing, 3rd October 2024, Photo - Rikki Clark  Song Thrush, 3rd October 2024. Photo - Tom Baker  Jay, 3rd October 2024. Photo - Rikki Clark  Common Buzzard, 3rd October 2024. Photo - Rikki Clark  Common Buzzard, 3rd October 2024. Photo - Rikki Clark  Great White Egret, 3rd October 2024. Photo - Jeremy Eyeons  Little Grebe, 3rd October 2024. Photo - Jeremy Eyeons |
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| Brambling, ringed 3 October 2024. Photo - George Gregory  Kingfisher, 3rd October 2024. Photo - Rikki Clark  Blackcap, 3rd October 2024. Photo - Nige Lound  Chaffinch, 3rd October 2024. Photo - Jeremy Eyeons |
October 2nd. A cloudy day with limited early morning rain, with a strong north-north-easterly wind.
A very busy day in the strong winds with grounded migrants across much of the reserve. Five Yellow-browed Warblers were still present, with 1 around Mill Hill and a further 2 around Sykes Farm, another along the Sleeper Track mid afternoon and another in Army Swathe. There were also 10+ Brambling, 3 Grey Wagtail, 30 Song Thrush and 300+ Redwing south over Sykes Farm early morning, most of which were dropping out of the low cloud and heading for cover in the strong winds having clearly just arrived from foreign lands. At Aylmer Avenue there were another 150 Redwing around. The Blyth's Reed Warbler was calling occasionally on the Sleeper Track mid morning in its original position but very difficult to see. There were 6 Ruff on the Old Saltmarsh.
An Olive-backed Pipit was found in East Dunes and was mostly concealed in deep cover mid afternoon. Also newly arriving Goldcrests were arriving on the Reserve during the afternoon along with 6 Ring Ouzels that dropped into the Sleeper Track area and a Redstart that found itself in one of the bird hides.A large Pipit seen and photographed in flight was most likely the long-staying Richard's Pipit.
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Olive-backed Pipit, 2nd October 2024. Photo - Sam Goddard |
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Olive-backed Pipit, 2nd October 2024. Photo - Sam Goddard  Photo - Daniel Langston  Blyth's Reed Warbler, 2nd October 2024. Photo - Daniel Langston  Redstart in bird hide, 2nd October 2024. Photo - Tom Baker |
Sea watching was the only option for much of the morning, although visibility was poor. A Great Skua and a Long-tailed Skua were the highlights. On the lagoons, there was a noticeable arrival of wildfowl with over 2000 Teal being a very high count for the Reserve. Five Ruff were again on Tennyson's Lagoon whilst a Spotted Redshank flew over the New Saltmarsh. Two Marsh Harrier were around.
Three Yellow-browed Warblers were still around with 2 in the Plantation/Sykes Farm area and another was around Mill Hill late afternoon - possibly a new arrival, with a small number of new Song Thrushes and Redwings also having arrived. An evening sea watch produced 6 northbound Arctic Skuas, 3 Arctic Tern and 180 Common Scoter but the main event was the arrival of waders at the evening roost - c80,000 Knot.
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Marsh Harrier, 1st October 2024. Photo - Jack Hood |
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Marsh Harrier with Black-tailed Godwits, Redshank and Teal, 1st October 2024. Photo - Jack Hood |
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| Marsh Harrier with Black-tiled Godwits, 1st October 2024. Photo - Jack Hood |