Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory Blog

Late January 2021

January 31st. Cold start, then sunny.

Around were 550 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 200 Wigeon, 510 Golden Plover, 3 Woodcock, 2 Sparrowhawk, 55 Stock Dove, a Peregrine, a Treecreeper and 2 Stonechat. On Croftmarsh were 550 Pink-footed Goose; and on or over Tennyson's Sands 7 Pink-footed Goose and a Marsh Harrier. Heading north were a Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 169 Red-throated Diver and a Gannet; and south 6 Common Scoter and 312 Red-throated Diver.

January 30th. Quite strong easterly wind.

Birds around included a Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard, a Green Woodpecker and a Stonechat. On Tennyson's Sands was a Dark-bellied Brent Goose; and on Croftmarsh 7 Pink-footed Goose.

Buzzard, 30 January 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Marsh Harrier, 30 January 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Catkins, 30 January 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

January 29th. Soggy start, gradually drying out.

On Tennyson's Sands were 46 Dark-bellied Brent Goose. Around were 25 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Short-eared Owl, a Barn Owl, a Merlin, 2 Stonechat, a Bullfinch and 9 Corn Bunting.

January 28th. Rain until mid morning.

Birds around included 4 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Hen Harrier, a Buzzard, a Short-eared Owl and 3 Stonechat. On Tennyson's Sands was a Water Rail.

January 27th. On Tennyson's Sands were 9 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, a Marsh Harrier and a Cetti's Warbler; and on Jackson's Marsh 600 Dark-bellied Brent Goose and a Water Rail. Around were 2 Buzzard, 565 Golden Plover, a Woodcock, a Hen Harrier, a Barn Owl, a Green Woodpecker, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Stonechat, a Brambling and 2 Corn Bunting.

Roe Deer, 27 January 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Sunset, 27 January 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Snowdrops, 27 January 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

January 26th. Frozen start.

On Croftmarsh were 600 Dark-bellied Brent Goose. Offshore were 300 Red-throated Diver and a Black-throated Diver. Flying north-west were 1170 Pink-footed Goose.

Ringing Recovery:

Sparrowhawk, ringed GPBO 30 September 2020, found dead (patio door strike) Seacroft, Lincolnshire 18 January 2021.

January 25th. Frozen start.

Birds around included 891 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 850 Wigeon, a Woodcock, a Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard, 3 Stonechat, a House Sparrow, a Brambling and 5 Corn Bunting. On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Black-tailed Godwit; and on Tennyson's Sands a Cetti's Warbler.

Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 25 January 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Brambling, Chaffinches and Goldfinch, 25 January 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Sanderling, 25 January 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Frozen start, 25 January 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

January 24th. Frozen start.

Around were 600 Dark-bellied Brent Goose.

January 23rd. Birds around included 709 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Hen Harrier, a Buzzard, a Red Kite, a Short-eared Owl, a Peregrine and 4 Stonechat. On Jackson's Marsh was a Pink-footed Goose. Flying south were 4 Goosander and a Buzzard.

Pink-footed Goose, 23 January 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Stonechat, 23 January 2921.
Photo - Nige Lound

January 22nd. Decreasing south-westerly wind.

Around were 600 Dark-bellied Brent Goose.

January 21st. Strong south-westerly wind, gradually decreasing.

Birds around included a Woodcock and 4 Water Pipit. On the sea were 5 Red-breasted Merganser and 4 Red-throated Diver. Going south were 3 Velvet Scoter, 8 Red-breasted Merganser and 22 Red-throated Diver; and north a Red-throated Diver.

Mid January 2021

January 20th. Strong south-westerly wind, with rain until mid morning.

Around were 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Woodcock, a Buzzard, a Goldcrest and a Treecreeper. On Tennyson's Sands were 430 Wigeon. On the sea were 6 Red-breasted Merganser and 4 Great Crested Grebe. Heading south were 55 Red-throated Diver and a Black-throated Diver.

January 19th. Rain until late morning.

Birds around included a Hen Harrier, a Kingfisher, 2 Goldcrest and 4 Stonechat. On Croftmarsh were a Grey Heron and a Merlin.

Ringing Control:

Blackbird, ringed GPBO 28 October 2017, controlled Swindon, Wiltshire 15 January 2021.

January 18th. Around were 27 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 6 Egyptian Goose, 2 Hen Harrier, a Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard, 2 Woodcock, a Merlin, 2 Stonechat and 2 Corn Bunting. On Croftmarsh were 100+ Dark-bellied Brent Goose.

January 17th. Birds around included 230 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a male Hen Harrier, a Marsh Harrier, an Avocet, a Green Woodpecker, a Peregrine, 2 Stonechat and a Snow Bunting. Over Croftmarsh were 400 Lapwing, and on Tennyson's Sands 400 Wigeon. Flying south were 2 Dark-bellied Brent Goose and 16 Pink-footed Goose; and west 3 Rook.

Sightings of colour-ringed Sandwich Terns at Gibraltar Point NNR:

Below are summaries:

EFD ringed Ythan Estuary, Scotland 2010; then near Cape Town, South Africa 2013; de Schelhoek, Netherlands 2017; de Kelders, South Africa 2018; GPNNR 2020.

EAT ringed Ythan Estuary, Scotland 2010; then near Swakopmund, Namibia 2012; Walvis Bay, Namibia 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017; Ythan Estuary, Scotland 2012; Caithness, Scotland 2016, 2017; Scolt Head, Norfolk 2019; GPNNR 2020.

EKT ringed Ythan Estuary 2010; then Heligoland, Germany 2012; Camperduin, Netherlands 2018, 2019, GPNNR 2020; Findhorn Bay, Scotland 2020.

January 16th. Quite strong south-westerly winds, gradually decreasing, with wintry showers until late morning.

January 15th. Soggy start.

Birds around included a Water Rail and a Fieldfare.

Ringing Control:

Robin, ringed Bloemendall, Netherlands 14 October 2020, controlled GPBO 4 November 2020.

January 14th. Rain all day.

The morning wader roost involved 3900 Oystercatcher, 500 Bar-tailed Godwit, 400 Grey Plover, 500 Knot and 600 Dunlin.

January 13th. Rain from midday.

Around were 330 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Buzzard, a Merlin, a Goldcrest, 8 Fieldfare, 4 Redwing, 2 Stonechat and a Corn Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Bearded Tit and a Cetti's Warbler.

Sunrise, 13 January 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Corn Bunting, 13 January 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Marsh Harrier, 13 January 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Stonechat, 13 January 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

January 12th. Birds around included 440 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Buzzard, a Marsh Harrier, 4 Hen Harrier, 5 Woodcock, a Green Woodpecker, a Coal Tit, 2 Stonechat and a Bullfinch.

Preening Marsh Harrier, 12 January 2021.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

Female Bullfinch, 12 January 2010.
Photo - Nige Lound

Male Bullfinch, 12 January 2010.
Photo - Nige Lound

Rock Pipits, 12 January 2010.
Photo - Nige Lound

January 11th. Moderately strong south-westerly wind.

Around were 420 Dark-bellied Brent Goose. Heading south offshore were 3 Great Northern Diver.

Early January 2021

January 10th. Frozen start, slowly thawing out.

Birds around included 200 Dark-bellied Brent Goose.

January 9th. Frozen.

Around were 2 Marsh Harrier.

January 8th. Frozen start.

Birds around included 15 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 600+ Pink-footed Goose, a Sparrowhawk and a Redwing.

Roadside Pond iced over, 8 January 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

January 7th. Around were 200 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a male Hen Harrier, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Stonechat. On the beach was a probable Viking Gull (Herring Gull x Glaucous Gull hybrid).

Probable Viking Gull (Herring Gull x Glaucous Gull hybrid), 7 January 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

January 6th. Birds around included 200 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 5000 Pink-footed Goose, a Hen Harrier and 3 Buzzard. On the sea was a Fulmar.

January 5th. Quite strong north-easterly wind.

Around were 700 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2000 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Buzzard, 2 Woodcock, a Merlin, 2 Stonechat and a Water Pipit. On Tennyson's Sands were a Light-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Water Rail and a Cetti's Warbler. Flying north were 7 Fulmar and a Gannet.

January 4th. Strong north-easterly wind.

Birds around included 9 Dark-bellied Brent Goose and 300 Lapwing. Going north were a Black-throated Diver, 8 Fulmar, 2 Gannet and 16 Kittiwake; and south 18 Kittiwake.

January 3rd. Some brief rainy spells; otherwise sunny or cloudy.

Around were 60 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Great Northern Diver, a Hen Harrier, 2 Water Rail and a Cetti's Warbler. .

A rain-delayed morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue yielded 2 Blackbird; and 11 retraps: 5 Great Tit, 2 Blue Tit, 3 Robin and a Wren.

January 2nd. Frozen start, gradually thawing out with sunny spells.

Birds around included 45 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Hen Harrier, a Cetti's Warbler (Mere Dyke), 11 Redwing and 2 Bullfinch. Heading south were a Gannet, 18 Redwing and 4 Fieldfare; and north a Great Northern Diver.

Tennyson's Sands still iced over, 2 January 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

January 1st. Frozen start.

Around, including birds trapped, were 350 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1650 Pink-footed Goose, a Woodcock, a Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Hen Harrier, 2 Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk, a Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, a Peregrine, 3 Bullfinch and 2 Snow Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands was a Cetti's Warbler. Flying south were 2 Whooper Swan and a Great Northern Diver; north a Gannet; and west a Marsh Harrier.

A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 5 new birds: 2 Great Tit and 3 Blackbird; and 8 retraps: a Dunnock, a Goldfinch, a Robin, 4 Blue Tit and a Wren.

Frozen start, 1 January 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

Late December 2020

December 31st. Frozen start, then misty.

On Tennyson's Sands early morning were 2 Bewick's Swan. Birds around included 400 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 4 Pink-footed Goose, a Marsh Harrier, a male and a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Buzzard, a Sparrowhawk, 3 Snipe, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Green Woodpecker, a Short-eared Owl, a Peregrine, 2 Merlin, a Chiffchaff, 2 Redwing, a Water Pipit and 2 Bullfinch. Going south were 14 Fieldfare, 24 Redwing and a Snow Bunting.

Bewick's Swans, 31 December 2020.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Sunrise, 31 December 2020.
Photo - Nige Lound

Visitor Centre, 31 December 2020.
Photo - Nige Lound

Merlin, 31 December 2020.
Photo - Nige Lound

December 30th. Around were 40 Pink-footed Goose, a Buzzard, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Merlin and 58 Fieldfare. On Tennyson's Sands were 110 Dark-bellied Brent Goose.

A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 3 new birds: a Chaffinch, a Goldfinch and a Blue Tit; and 11 retraps: 3 Great Tit, 7 Blue Tit and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Great Spotted Woodpecker, retrapped 30 December 2020.
Photo - George Gregory

December 29th. Some early morning rain.

Birds around included 230 Pink-footed Goose, a Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, a Snipe, a Short-eared Owl, a Green Woodpecker, a Peregrine, 5 Stonechat, a Fieldfare, 2 Redwing and 3 Bullfinch. On Jackson's Marsh were 350 Dark-bellied Brent Goose.

December 28th. Around were 450 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 60 Pink-footed Goose, 600 Wigeon, 110 Red-throated Diver, a Buzzard, a Merlin, 4 Stonechat and 2 Siskin. Heading south were 660 Common Scoter.

A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Jenni Godber resulted in a new Blackbird; and 15 retraps: 5 Blue Tit, 8 Great Tit, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Dunnock.

December 27th. Moderately strong south-westerly wind.

Birds around included 60 Dark-bellied Brent Goose.

December 26th. Increasing south-westerly wind.

Around were 110 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 670 Pink-footed Goose, a Buzzard and a Chiffchaff. Flying south were 15 Eider, 70 Red-throated Diver, a Black-throated Diver and 16 Great Crested Grebe.

A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Jenni Godber provided 4 new birds: 2 Blue Tit, a Goldfinch and a Great Tit; and 4 retraps: 2 Blue Tit and 2 Great Tit.

December 25th. Brief light early morning snow, then quite sunny.

Birds around included 60 Dark-bellied Brent Goose and 8 Pink-footed Goose.

A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 3 new birds: 2 Blue Tit and a Blackbird; and 11 retraps: 4 Blue Tit, a Goldfinch and 6 Great Tit.

December 24th. Moderately strong north-westerly wind, with spells of rain and sleet.

Around were 60 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3000 Pink-footed Goose, 6 Bean Goose, 3 White-fronted Goose, 2000 Golden Plover, 800 Lapwing, an Iceland Gull and 2 Snow Bunting. On Jackson's Marsh was a Black Swan.

Iceland Gull, 24 December 2020.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

December 23rd. Increasing north-easterly wind, with foggy and rainy spells.

Birds around included 15 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Goldcrest, 4 Fieldfare and 3 Stonechat. On the Mere was a Black Swan.

Black Swan, 23 December 2020.
Photo - Nige Lound

December 22nd. Around were 400 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3600 Pink-footed Goose, 1400 Lapwing, 2000 Golden Plover, 2 Snipe, a Hen Harrier, a Short-eared Owl, a Green Woodpecker and 7 Stonechat. On Tennyson's Sands were a Water Rail and a Cetti's Warbler.

A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Jenni Godber yielded 4 new birds: a Goldfinch, a Blue Tit and 2 Greenfinch; and 11 retraps: 4 Great Tit, 6 Blue Tit and a Goldfinch.

Short-eared Owl, 22 December 2020.
Photo - Nige Lound

Water Rail, 22 December 2020.
Photo - Nige Lound

December 21st. The winter Solstice - the shortest day. Moderately strong mostly southerly wind, with rain in morning.

Birds around included 55 Dark-bellied Brent Goose and 1600 Lapwing. Offshore were 3 Great Northern Diver.

Mid December 2020

December 20th. Moderately strong southerly wind.

Around were 60 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Hen Harrier, a Green Woodpecker, a Merlin and a Stonechat. Offshore was a Great Skua. Flying south were 15 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 148 Pink-footed Goose, a Long-tailed Duck, 3 Goldeneye, 16 Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Black-throated Diver, a Great Northern Diver, a Fulmar, a Gannet, a Kittiwake, 13 Golden Plover and 29 Fieldfare.

Stonechat, 20 December 2020.
Photo - Richard Brown

December 19th. Fairly strong southerly wind.

Birds around included 30 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1166 Pink-footed Goose, 8 Red-breasted Merganser, 1500 Golden Plover, 1860 Lapwing, a Hen Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, a Green Woodpecker, a Peregrine, 2 Merlin, 3 Stonechat, 8 Fieldfare, 2 Redwing and 15 Rock Pipit.

December 18th. Quite strong southerly wind.

Around were 25 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, a Green Woodpecker and 2 Redwing. Offshore was a Great Northern Diver. Heading south were 7 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Pintail, 122 Golden Plover, 21 Black-tailed Godwit, a Black-throated Diver, a Great Northern Diver and a Fulmar..

December 17th. Birds around included 45 Dark-bellied Brent Goose.

A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue resulted in 7 new birds: 3 Goldfinch, a Blue Tit and 3 Greenfinch; and 4 retraps: a Blue Tit, a Blackbird and 2 Robin.

December 16th. Moderately strong southerly wind.

Around were 160 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard, a Fieldfare and 2 Stonechat, On Jackson's Marsh were 35 Dark-bellied Brent Goose and a Black-tailed Godwit. Flying north were 3 Eider and a Fulmar; and south 32 Pink-footed Goose, 11 Common Scoter, 2 Red-breasted Merganser and a Great Northern Diver.

December 15th. At about 1040hrs a Glossy Ibis flew south-east over the reserve. Birds around included 200 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Marsh Harrier, a Hen Harrier, a Buzzard, a Short-eared Owl, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Merlin, a Peregrine, 2 Stonechat and a Redwing. Heading south were 60 Golden Plover.

A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 9 new birds: 5 Goldfinch, 2 Great Tit and 2 Blue Tit; and 8 retraps: 3 Blue Tit, 4 Great Tit and a Goldfinch.

Buzzard, 15 December 2020.
Photo - Richard Brown

December 14th. Moderately strong southerly wind.

Around were 50 Dark-bellied Brent Goose and 1800 Lapwing.

December 13th. Rainy spells.

Birds around included 35 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1800 Lapwing, a Goldcrest and 2 Redwing. On Tennyson's Sands were a Black-tailed Godwit and a Snipe. Going south were 60 Pink-footed Goose.

December 12th. Around were 24 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1180 Pink-footed Goose, a Woodcock, a Marsh Harrier, a male Hen Harrier, a Buzzard, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Green Woodpecker, a Goldcrest, 8 Stonechat, 5 Fieldfare and 7 Redwing. On Tennyson's Sands was a Cetti's Warbler.

A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 22 new birds: 7 Goldfinch, 3 Blue Tit, 6 Great Tit, 5 Greenfinch and a Blackbird; and 13 retraps: 5 Great Tit, 6 Blue Tit and 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

December 11th. Rainy morning.

Birds around included a male Hen Harrier and 300 Blackbird. Offshore was a Black-throated Diver.

Hen Harrier, 11 December 2020.
Photo - Jack Adams

Early December 2020

December 10th. Birds around included 110 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Pink-footed Goose, a Sparrowhawk, a Marsh Harrier, a Hen Harrier, a Buzzard, a Green Woodpecker, a Peregrine, 2 Blackcap, 50 Redwing, a Black Redstart (Visitor Centre), 2 Stonechat and a Lapland Bunting. Offshore was a Guillemot. On Tennyson's Sands were 115 Lapwing and a Cetti's Warbler. Heading south were 830 Lapwing and 20 Redwing.

Guillemot, 10 December 2020.
Photo - Nige Lound

Hen Harrier, 10 December 2020.
Photo - Nige Lound

December 9th. Foggy morning.

Around were a Sparrowhawk, 2 Goldcrest and 11 Redwing. On Croftmarsh were 250 Pink-footed Goose and a Buzzard; and on Tennyson's Sands 7 Dark-bellied Brent Goose.

December 8th. Cold and foggy.

Birds around included a Short-eared Owl and 3 Stonechat. On the sea were 2 Shag. Flying north were 94 Pink-footed Goose and a Gannet; and south 4 Dark-bellied Brent Goose and a Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Record shot of Shags, 8 December 2020.
Photo - Nige Lound

December 7th. Another frozen start, with iced up water bodies, then foggy and cold.

Around were 120 Pink-footed Goose, a Chiffchaff, 65 Blackbird and 14 Redwing. On Tennyson's Sands were a Water Rail and 2 Bearded Tit.

December 6th. Frozen start.

Birds around included a Grey Partridge, 105 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Short-eared Owl, a Peregrine, a Chiffchaff, 95 Blackbird, a Fieldfare, 2 Redwing and 2 Song Thrush. On the Mere was a Water Rail. Going north were 107 Pink-footed Goose, 4 White-fronted Goose and a Lapland Bunting; and south 1574 Pink-footed Goose and 8 Whooper Swan.

December 5th. Around were 60 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 13 Pink-footed Goose, a Great White Egret, a Buzzard, a Marsh Harrier, a Hen Harrier, 1600 Lapwing, 30 Blackbird, 4 Stonechat, 22 Redwing and 2 Lapland Bunting (over Old Saltmarsh). On Tennyson's Sands were a Black-tailed Godwit and a singing Cetti's Warbler. Heading south were 7 Goosander and a Great Northern Diver.

Sunset, 5 December 2020.
Photo - Guy Barton

Shoveler, Gadwall and Teal, 5 December 2020.
Photo - Nige Lound

Water Rail, 5 December 2020.
Photo - Nige Lound

Fair Isle Bird Observatory Appeal:

https://www.shetland.org/60n/blogs/posts/fair-isle-observatory-appeal

December 4th. Rainy spells.

Birds around included a Peregrine, 2 Redwing and 80 Blackbird. Going north were 10 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Gannet and a Buzzard; and south 2 Eider and a Gannet.

December 3rd. Rain for most of day.

December 2nd. Around were 45 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 1500 Lapwing and 30 Blackbird.

December 1st. Birds around, including those trapped, were 538 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2000 Pink-footed Goose, a Velvet Scoter, an adult male Hen Harrier, 3 Sparrowhawk, 3 Buzzard, a Marsh Harrier, 3000 Oystercatcher, a Woodcock, a Short-eared Owl, a Barn Owl, a Kingfisher, a Merlin, a Peregrine, 100+ Blackbird, 2 Stonechat and 2 Snow Bunting. On Jackson's Marsh was a Scaup; and on the Mere a Water Rail. In off the sea came 2 Tundra Bean Goose and 3 more Snow Bunting. Heading south were 8 Red-breasted Merganser, a Pomarine Skua and 2 Great Skua.

A brief, final morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 3 new Blackbird.

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.