Late October 2012

October 31st: Windy. On the Mere were a Jack Snipe, 2 Black-tailed Godwits and a Water Rail. Southward movers included 250 Woodpigeons, 5 Swallows, a Brambling, 9 Whooper Swans, 7 Eiders and 2 Great Crested Grebes, and northward 80 Common Scoters. Around were a Ring Ouzel and a Corn Bunting.
It was too windy for ringing.

October 30th: Foggy start. Birds around included 2 Ring Ouzels, 5 Corn Buntings, a Yellowhammer, a male Hen Harrier, a Merlin, 232 Wigeons, 379 Brent Geese, 4 Jays, 3 Bramblings and 6 Goldcrests. On the Mere was a Jack Snipe. Heading south were 25 Pink-footed Geese, 18 Whooper Swans, 7 Tree Sparrows and 7 Swallows. 560 more Pink-footed Geese headed southeast, and 90 more west. In off the sea came 70 Fieldfares.
A morning ringing session on East Dunes produced a modest total of birds processed, mostly Blackbirds but with several Goldcrests and Robins. Similarly few birds were processed at Aylmer Avenue, but amongst them was a Blackbird with a Stavanger Museum Norway ring.

October 29th: Generally mild with south-westerly wind. On the Mere were 2 Bearded Tits, a Jack Snipe and a Water Rail, on Tennyson Sands another Water Rail, and over Croftmarsh 5000 Golden Plovers. Around were a Peregrine, a Merlin, a Short-eared Owl, 5 Jays, 2 Ring Ouzels, a Bullfinch, 2 Yellowhammers and the usual thrushes. Flying south were 6 Whooper Swans, a Red-breasted Merganser, 29 Bramblings, 48 Siskins, 7 Crossbills, 6 Tree Sparrows and 16 Swallows.
  Morning ringing on East Dunes resulted in 22 new birds ringed, including 2 Yellowhammers, a Bullfinch (both new species for the year for the Observatory) and a Jay (18 and counting for the year). In addition, a British-ringed Jay was controlled. A longer session at Aylmer Avenue provided only 20 new birds, including 4 Goldcrests and 4 Lesser Redpolls.
  During the session at Aylmer Avenue, a large bird of prey was seen at a distance sitting in a net. Upon getting to the bird though, it had promptly got out and flown off. It was thought to have been a Peregrine, which would have been a first for the Observatory. A classic case of "You should have seen the one that got away!"

                                        1CY male Yellowhammer (George Gregory)

                                         2+CY female Bullfinch (George Gregory)

                                     1CY British-ringed control Jay (George Gregory)

October 28th: South-westerly wind, occasional light rain. Flying around were 2 Waxwings, 4 Crossbills, 30 Siskins and 30 Lesser Redpolls. On the Mere were 5 Bearded Tits and a Jack Snipe, and on Croftmarsh 1000 Golden Plovers. Landed birds included 5 Woodcocks, a Ring Ouzel, a Yellowhammer, a Garden Warbler, 5 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaffs, 75 Goldcrests, 200+ Blackbirds, 40+ Redwings and 20+ Fieldfares. During sea-watching 10 Little Auks and 5 Gannets went north, and a Long-tailed Duck, 5 Goldeneyes and 13 Eiders south. Offshore were 400 Common Scoters, 179 Wigeon and a Mediterranean Gull, while in off the sea came 78 Starlings, 65 Fieldfares and 239 Lapwings.
  A fairly short morning ringing session on East Dunes yielded only a modest number of new birds, mostly the usual thrushes and Robins, but also including a Blackcap. Ringing at Aylmer Avenue from dawn until 4pm, when rain prevented any possibility of attempting a roost catch, resulted in 182 new birds ringed. These included 79 Blackbirds, 24 Greenfinches, 24 Goldfinches and 35 Goldcrests. Highlights included a Garden Warbler (the 5th latest ringed at Gibraltar Point ever, the latest being one ringed on 15th November 1982), a Chiffchaff, a Lesser Redpoll, a Siskin and 2 more Woodcocks. There was also another British control Blackbird.
  During October we have ringed over 3500 birds with a lot of help from various visiting ringers. A Big Thank You is extended to all of them from the entire Observatory Team.

Garden Warbler ringed at Aylmer Avenue 28.10.2012 - the 5th latest ringed ever.
Photo - Mick Briggs

One of two Woodcocks ringed at Aylmer Avenue 28.10.2012
Photo - Mick Briggs

One of two Woodcocks ringed at Aylmer Avenue 28.10.2012
Note that incredible eye that bulges out from the side of the head and can see through 420 degrees - allowing it to see in front and behind itself twice at the same time which is why its very hard to creep up on a Woodcock!
Photo - Mick Briggs

Adult male Siskin ringed at Aylmer Avenue 28.10.2012
Photo - Mick Briggs

October 27th: Strong north-westerly wind with occasional rain, hail and sleet. Around were 2 Waxwings, 4 Ring Ouzels, a male Hen Harrier, a Marsh Harrier, a Jay, a Black Redstart, 25 Goldcrests and a Chiffchaff. On the Mere were 5 Bearded Tits. South over land went 20 Whooper Swans and 3 Swallows, and west 120 Pink-footed Geese. In off the sea came 2 Little Auks, amongst separate Starling flocks, and a Short-eared Owl. South at sea flew 11 Great Skuas, 74 Kittiwakes and a Goldeneye, and north a Long-tailed Duck, a Little Auk, 4 Great Skuas, 4 Kittiwakes, 2 Red-throated Divers and 74 Common Scoters, while offshore were 3 more Little Auks and 30 more Common Scoters.
  A nearly all-day ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, using just a handful of the most sheltered nets, eventually resulted in exactly 100 new birds being ringed. The catch was made up mainly of Blackbirds and Greenfinches, along with smaller numbers of Goldfinches, and a few Redwings and Song Thrushes, amongst other species. Highlights were a British control Greenfinch, and a retrap Ring Ouzel - the one ringed there yesterday.
  One almost unbelievably strange sight at Aylmer this morning was two Swallows flying around at the same time as a Waxwing - there can't be many days in a year when that can happen!

A 1st year male Ring Ouzel was retrapped at Aylmer Avenue 27.10.2012
Libary Photo - Mick Briggs

October 26th: There were even fewer thrushes around, but still many hundreds. On the Mere were 2 Bearded Tits. Other landed birds included 4 Woodcocks, 25 Goldcrests, 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Black Redstarts and 18 Ring Ouzels. Flying around were a Peregrine, a ringtail Hen Harrier and 9 Swallows. Heading south were 32 Whooper Swans, and west 38 Pink-footed Geese. At sea 32 Gannets, a Shag, 36 Little Gulls, a Pomarine Skua, 12 Great Skuas and a Rook flew north, a Mediterranean Gull flew south to roost, 50 Common Scoters and a Lesser Black-backed Gull were offshore, and a Short-eared Owl came in.
  50 new birds were ringed on East Dunes in the morning, including 2 Sparrowhawks, a Woodcock, and the usual Goldcrests, Redwings and others. A Blackbird with a Helgoland Germania ring was controlled. At Aylmer Avenue a longer session produced 168 new birds ringed, including a Ring Ouzel and 2 Woodcocks, as well as the usual finches and thrushes.

                                         1CY female Sparrowhawk (George Gregory)

October 25th: The wind was still north-easterly, but it was dry and clear. A Pallas's Leaf Warbler was found in West Dunes mid morning. Fewer thrushes were present, again mostly on West Dunes. Also around were 1500 Starlings, 2 Black Redstarts, a Chiffchaff and 6 Ring Ouzels. After dark 70 Pink-footed Geese flew south.
  A morning ringing session on East Dunes provided 76 new birds, including a Ring Ouzel, 18 Robins, 12 Goldcrests, 2 Bramblings, a Chiffchaff and 2 Blackcaps. A brief early evening/roost session at Aylmer Avenue added 50 more new birds, including 23 Blackbirds, 11 Redwings and 13 Goldfinches.

October 24th: It was foggy again with north-easterly wind, brief spells of light rain, and drizzle to end the day. Thousands of thrushes and Starlings were prominent, most eventually milling around West Dunes in the evening. Redwings were estimated at 6000, Fieldfares at 2000, and Starlings at 2000, with lower numbers of Blackbirds and Song Thrushes. Also around were 2 Woodcocks, 36 Ring Ouzels, 7 Black Redstarts, 2 Common Redstarts, 5 Bearded Tits, a Firecrest, a Lapland Bunting, 3 Siskins, a Bullfinch and 7 Swallows. An Asio Sp was briefly seen low over East Dunes at dawn. On the Mere was a Water Rail, on Tennyson Sands 4 Goldeneyes, on the Wash 500 Wigeons, and on the sea a Little Auk.
  A long ringing session on East Dunes resulted in 160 new birds ringed, including 74 Blackbirds, 13 Song Thrushes, 11 Redwings, 2 Ring Ouzels, 24 Goldcrests, 24 Robins, 2 Common Redstarts (the latest since 1981) and 3 Blackcaps.
  Later a roost catch was carried out at Aylmer Avenue with just a small number of nets, due to the possibility of being over-run by the thousands of Redwings and other thrushes that were present. The nets were open for just 15 minutes before darkness fell, and this resulted in 46 birds being caught and ringed, including 8 Robins, a Blackbird, 2 Fieldfares and 35 Redwings. This helped to push the day's ringing total to 206 new birds ringed.

October 23rd: The light north-easterly breeze with heavy fog for much of the day resulted in more or less a repeat of yesterday's mass arrival of migrants from the continent. Around were 3000+ Redwings, 1500+ Fieldfares, 1500+ Blackbirds, 15 Ring Ouzels, 50+ Song Thrushes, 400+ Robins, 50+ Goldcrests, 200+ Goldfinches, 200+ Starlings, 5 Black Redstarts, a Whinchat and a Chiffchaff. A Jack Snipe was on the small pool east of the Mere and a Tree Pipit, a Mealy Redpoll and 23 Swallows went south.
  Simultaneous prolonged ringing sessions at East Dunes and Aylmer Avenue were again very productive, with 357 new birds ringed. These included 131 Robins, 82 Redwings, 23 Song Thrushes, 88 Blackbirds, a Ring Ouzel, a late Whinchat, a Swallow (the latest since 1987), 24 Goldcrests and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.
  Although nothing to do with the Observatory, on the Golf Course just north of the reserve, ringing by Alan Ball and his team resulted in over 150 birds being ringed, including 2 Ring Ouzels and a Firecrest. One of the Ring Ouzels was retrapped down at the Observatory later on.
  Tomorrow's forecast is very similar to today's, with occasional drizzle or light rain a possibility. This could add even more numbers of thrushes and other migrants to the mix. If you haven't witnessed an East Coast fall before, you need to be down at the reserve tomorrow morning - it should be spectacular again!!!

                          2+CY female British-ringed control Ring Ouzel (George Gregory)

October 22nd: A light north-easterly breeze with heavy fog for much of the day resulted in the start of a well predicted mass arrival of migrants from the continent today. Counts included 3500 Fieldfares, 5000 Redwings, 500 Blackbirds, 100 Song Thrushes, 20 Ring Ouzels, 100 Robins, 147 Bramblings, 50 Goldcrests, 7 Black Redstarts, a Snow Bunting, 3 Woodcocks, 4 Chiffchaffs and a Willow Warbler. Heading south were 10 Swallows.
  A long ringing session on East Dunes resulted in 193 new birds ringed, including a Woodcock, a Ring Ouzel, a Fieldfare, a Black Redstart, a Willow Warbler (the latest ever by three days, the previous one being ringed on 19th October 2008), a Chiffchaff, 14 Long-tailed Tits and many thrushes. A simultaneous session at Aylmer Avenue provided over 150 new birds ringed, including 7 Fieldfares, a Mistle Thrush, 2 Bramblings and a Chiffchaff. There are not many days when all six common species of British thrush are ringed.
  With 10 to 15mph north-easterlies predicted for the rest of the week, with more fog or mist in the daytime and heavy fog and sporadic light rain showers overnight, maybe today will not be the best day of the autumn at Gibraltar Point. Tomorrow could be even better!!!

                                                     1CY Woodcock (George Gregory)

                                                 1CY male Ring Ouzel (George Gregory)

                                         1CY Black Redstart (George Gregory)

                                           2+CY female Fieldfare (George Gregory)

October 21st: On Fenland Lagoon were 2 Greenshanks, on the Mere 2 Water Rails, and on Croftmarsh 1500 Golden Plovers. Around were another Water Rail, a Hawfinch, 14 Jays and a Spotted Redshank. Flying south over land were 200 Pink-footed Geese, 10 Crossbills, 15 Bramblings, 50 Goldfinches, 100 Greenfinches, 100 Skylarks, 120 Lesser Redpolls, 20 Siskins, 80 Tree Sparrows, 800 Wood Pigeons, 20 Rooks, 3 Jays and the usual other species. At sea 2 Great Skuas, an Arctic Skua, 187 Pink-footed Geese and 53 Common Scoters flew south, and 221 Little Gulls, 43 Gannets and 13 Kittiwakes north, while a Black-throated Diver, 23 Red-throated Divers, a Common Tern and 18 Sandwich Terns were offshore.
  A morning ringing session on East Dunes produced few birds, but they included 3 more Jays (a remarkable 17 have now been ringed here this year compared to the previous highest year total of 6 in 1984), a Redwing, a Blackcap and a few Goldcrests. An all-day session at Aylmer Avenue was much more productive with 123 new birds ringed, including 2 Bramblings, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 11 Tree Sparrows, a Lesser Redpoll and lots of Goldfinches, Greenfinches and Goldcrests. The Kestrel from last Sunday was retrapped. There were also four more British controls including 2 Goldfinches, a Greenfinch and a Tree Sparrow - the first British control Tree Sparrow at Gibraltar Point since 11th December 1983, nearly 29 years ago.
  Easterlies sprang up during the day, and with rain forecast tonight, there should be plenty to blog about tomorrow. Fieldfares started arriving late afternoon with several small groups noted, including a group of 10 late on.

Early morning fog rolled in an hour after first light and put a stop to any bird movements, with very little visible migration until it lifted three hours later - 21st October 2012.
Photo - Mick Briggs.

A fine adult male Brambling, the first bird out of the nets on 21st October 2012.
Photo - Mick Briggs

British control Tree Sparrow 21st October 2012,  the first one for nearly 29 years at Gibraltar Point.
Photo - Mick Briggs

Mid October 2012

October 20th: Birds around included a Short-eared Owl, a Spotted Redshank, a Black Redstart and 2 Ring Ouzels. The most notable birds flying south were 7 Jays and 14 Bramblings, north 13 more Jays, and northwest 290 Pink-footed Geese.
Few birds were ringed on East Dunes this morning, but they included 2 more Jays (14 have been ringed here so far this year), a Redwing and several Goldcrests. A prolonged session at Aylmer Avenue eventually resulted in 251 new birds being ringed. Besides 97 Goldfinches and 91 Greenfinches, there were also a Brambling, a Coal Tit (with a further four retrap Coal Tits and a retrap Treecreeper), four Blackcaps, 27 Goldcrests, 10 Blackbirds, 2 Redwings and 2 Song Thrushes. There were also, amazingly, four British controls - 2 Greenfinches, a Goldfinch and a Great Tit.

Red Sky at Night - Shepherds Delight? or is it Ringers Delight? 20th October 2012.
With easterlies forecast from tomorrow onwards for a week or more with heavy cloud and occasional rain, it looks like the Autumn Thrush Rush could be about to begin?

October 19th: The Mere held a Water Rail and a Black-tailed Godwit, and Tennyson Sands 18 Avocets. Around were 5 Jays, a Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank, a Chiffchaff, a Ring Ouzel, 7 Redwings, a Black Redstart, 43 Tree Sparrows and 5 Bramblings. Southward movers included 9 Jays, 751 Goldfinches, 176 Greenfinches, 78 Siskins, 142 Redpolls, 72 Reed Buntings, 7 Bramblings, a Crossbill, 4 Tree Sparrows and a Swallow. In off the sea came a Short-eared Owl, while 170 Pink-footed Geese went west and 60 more southeast.
Ringing on East Dunes in the morning produced a few Goldcrests, Reed Buntings and the usual other species.

October 18th: On Tennyson Sands were 20 Avocets, and on the Mere a Black-tailed Godwit and a Water Rail. Around were a Greenshank, a Merlin, 24 Jays, a Firecrest, 14 Goldcrests, 2 Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap, a Ring Ouzel, 6 Redwings and a Mediterranean Gull. Flying south were a Little Gull, 2 Hawfinches, 51 Swallows, 24 House Martins, 156 Siskins, 98 Redpolls, 33 Tree Sparrows, 14 Crossbills, a Brambling, 86 Rock Pipits, 2 Grey Wagtails, 144 Skylarks and 5 Rooks, and north a Goosander. In off the sea came a Short-eared Owl, 2 Whooper Swans and 30 Pink-footed Geese.
Few birds were ringed in a morning session on East Dunes, but they included a Firecrest and the twelfth Jay ringed here this year.

1st Year Male Firecrest 18th October 2012
Photo - George Gregory

October 17th: Rainy and windy, with minor flooding. A Richard's Pipit flew south at 1100hrs. The Mere held a Black-tailed Godwit, Croftmarsh 1000 Golden Plovers, and Tennyson Sands 20 Avocets, a Spotted Redshank and a Pintail. Around were 2 Greenshanks, 5 Jays, a Coal Tit, a Ring Ouzel, 7 Redwings, 16 Goldcrests and 500 Woodpigeons. South went 2 Swallows and 2 Crossbills.
No ringing was attempted.

October 16th: Very windy. On Tennyson Sands were 19 Avocets and a Pintail, and on the Mere a Black-tailed Godwit. Around were a Merlin, 21 Little Egrets, 19 Redpolls, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and 2 Goldcrests. An adult male Hen Harrier and 3 Siskins flew south. Offshore were 500 Common Scoters, a Velvet Scoter, 8 Sandwich Terns, 50 Gannets, 4000 Oystercatchers and 30000 Knots.
It was too windy for ringing.

October 15th: Tennyson Sands held 23 Avocets, a Pintail and a Water Rail, and Croftmarsh 600 Golden Plovers. Around were 2 Ring Ouzels, 2 Merlins and a Treecreeper, as well as fewer Goldcrests and Redwings than yesterday. Offshore was a Great Skua. Heading south were a Goosander, a Grey Wagtail, 2 Swallows, 6 Bramblings and 7 Crossbills, and northwest 18 Pink-footed Geese.
A modest number of new birds were ringed on East Dunes in the morning, but they included a few more Redwings and Goldcrests.

October 14th: A Yellow-browed Warbler and 2 Crossbills were in the Plantation. On Tennyson Sands were 24 Avocets and a Pink-footed Goose, and on the Mere a Water Rail. Around were a Brambling, 8 Jays, a Marsh Harrier, a Merlin, a Ring Ouzel, 4 Chiffchaffs and 6 Blackcaps. Flying south were 110 Pink-footed Geese, 50+ Lesser Redpolls, 80+ Goldfinches, 100+ Greenfinches, 10 Siskins, 20 Linnets, 20 Bramblings, 100+ Tree Sparrows, 10+ Crossbills, and a Rock Pipit, whilst 80 Blackbirds, 150 Redwings and a single Fieldfare moved in and off west.
  Ringing sessions at East Dunes and Aylmer Avenue were again very productive, the most notable new birds being 2 more Jays (for a record year total of 11), a Sparrowhawk, a Kestrel, 2 Coal Tits, and numerous Tree Sparrows, Redwings, Song Thrushes and Blackbirds.

A cold start to Sunday 14.10.2012 - the first proper ground frost of the autumn. Birds were still on the move though, even before the sun came up, as you can see in this photo - see middle left.
Photo - Mick Briggs

One of four Tree Sparrows ringed at Aylmer Avenue (more were ringed at East Dunes) 14.10.2012
Photo - Mick Briggs

Partially leucistic 2+CY Redwing ringed at East Dunes 14.10.2012
Photo - George Gregory

1st year Jay (number 10 for the year) ringed at Aylmer Avenue 14.10.2012
Photo - Mick Briggs

Close up of 1st year Jay (number 10 for the year) ringed at Aylmer Avenue 14.10.2012
Photo - Mick Briggs

Male Kestrel ringed at Aylmer Avenue 14.10.2012
Photo - Mick Briggs

Male Kestrel wing, showing at least two generations of primaries and secondaries, ringed at Aylmer Avenue 14.10.2012
Photo - Mick Briggs

October 13th: On the Mere were 3 Bearded Tits, and on Jackson's Marsh 12 Avocets and a Jack Snipe. A Yellow-browed Warbler was in East Dunes. Also around were a Short-eared Owl, 300+ Redwings, 100+ Blackbirds, 500+ Goldfinches, a Ring Ouzel, a Redstart, several Chiffchaffs, 100+ Goldcrests and 3 Goldeneyes. South over land went 29 Swallows, 141 Siskins, 382 Lesser Redpolls, 10 Bramblings, 38 Reed Buntings, 110 Tree Sparrows, 40+ Crossbills, a Snow Bunting, a Lapland Bunting, a Twite, a Grey Wagtail, 2 Whooper Swans, 11 Jays, 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 11 Rooks. At sea a Little Auk flew south, and offshore were a Great Skua and an Arctic Skua.
  Simultaneous ringing sessions at East Dunes and Aylmer Avenue were very productive. 234 New birds were eventually ringed at Aylmer Avenue, with the session being finished just before the evening roost due to rain, and 72 new birds at East Dunes. The best new birds were 2 Jays, 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, a Coal Tit, 4 Bramblings and 30+ Lesser Redpoll, while others included many Goldcrests, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Redwings, Song Thrushes and Blackbirds, and a Chiffchaff. The Observatory has now ringed a new record total of Jays for the year - 9 so far in 2012, beating the 1986 record of 6. There were also a British control Goldfinch at Aylmer Avenue, and a British control Lesser Redpoll at East Dunes.


Coal Tit ringed at Aylmer Avenue 13.10.2012
Photo - Mick Briggs

Adult male Lesser Redpoll ringed at Aylmer Avenue 13.10.2012
Photo - Mick Briggs

One of four Bramblings ringed at Aylmer Avenue 13.10.2012
Photo - Mick Briggs

October 12th: Soggy and windy. The Mere held 2 Bearded Tits and a Black-tailed Godwit, Jackson's Marsh a Greenshank, and Tennyson Sands 21 Avocets. Around were a Yellow-browed Warbler, 7 Jays, 150 Redwings, 3 Siskins, a Snow Bunting, a Marsh Harrier and a Short-eared Owl. Flying south were a Swallow, 15 Siskins, 26 Goldfinches, 63 Redwings, 2 Fieldfares, a Brambling, 2 Song Thrushes, 3 Mistle Thrushes, 16 Rock Pipits and 4 Lesser Redpolls. At sea were 200 Little Gulls.
A brief morning ringing session on East Dunes produced a Redwing, a few other thrushes, 2 Goldfinches and a Blackcap.

October 11th: On the Mere were 2 Bearded Tits, and on Tennyson Sands 21 Avocets. A total of 49 Jays were present on the reserve at some time, although many appeared to move off inland later. Around were 11 Mistle Thrushes, 2 Redwings and a Peregrine. South went 21 Siskins and the usual other species. At sea were 6 Great Skuas, 4 Arctic Skuas, a Manx Shearwater and 3 Little Gulls.
Few birds were caught on a morning ringing session on East Dunes, but they included 3 more Jays and a few Goldcrests and thrushes.

                                                         1CY Jay (George Gregory)

Early October 2012

October 10th: Tennyson Sands held 16 Avocets. Around were 10 Jays, 12 Redwings, 241 Brent Geese, a Short-eared Owl and 30 Goldcrests. South went 10 Whooper Swans and a Grey Wagtail. Offshore was a Long-tailed Skua.
Prolonged simultaneous ringing sessions at East Dunes and Aylmer Avenue were productive, with 146 birds processed. Notable new birds included 2 Jays, a Tree Sparrow, a Redwing and numerous Goldcrests and Goldfinches.

October 9th: On Tennyson Sands were 15 Avocets. At least 72 Jays either eventually moved off inland or stayed in the Plantation and elsewhere. Around were a Merlin, 38 Redwings, 15 Goldcrests and 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers. Offshore were 500 Little Gulls.
Ringing sessions on East Dunes and Aylmer Avenue were reasonably productive, with 13 Goldcrests, a Jay and 4 Redwings being the best new birds ringed.

October 8th: The 2 Bearded Tits and 2 Water Rails were still on the Mere, and 12 Avocets, a Spotted Redshank and a Greenshank on Tennyson Sands. At sea were a Sooty Shearwater, a Little Auk, 2 Velvet Scoters, 100 Little Gulls and 200 Gannets. Going south were 21 Jays, a Hawfinch, 63 Redwings, 18 Brent Geese and 2 Bramblings, while 400 Pink-footed Geese headed in various directions. Around were a Ring Ouzel and 7 Crossbills.
Simultaneous morning ringing sessions at East Dunes and Aylmer Avenue yielded 87 new birds ringed, including 22 Long-tailed Tits and the usual Goldcrests, finches and others.

October 7th: On the Mere were 2 Bearded Tits, a Greenshank, a Green Sandpiper, a Black-tailed Godwit and a Water Rail, on Croftmarsh 529 Golden Plovers, and on Tennyson Sands 3 Spotted Redshanks and 12 Avocets. Around were a Green Woodpecker, a Marsh Harrier, a Mediterranean Gull, 103 Brent Geese including 1 Pale-bellied, a Short-eared Owl, a Redstart, 2 Bramblings and reduced numbers of Goldcrests, Chiffchaffs, Goldfinches and other species compared to yesterday. Presumably most birds had left during the mainly clear night. Flying south were 2 Buzzards, 2 Swallows, 49 Tree Sparrows and 160 Pink-footed Geese, east 4 Whooper Swans, and west 40 more Pink-footed Geese and 17 Jays. Dropping out of the sky were 2 Ring Ouzels, 3 Redwings and 12 Blackbirds. At sea 103 Common Scoters and a Kittiwake went north, and offshore were 50 Sandwich Terns, a Great Skua, an Arctic Skua, a Razorbill, 100 Gannets, 15 Red-throated Divers, 3 Great Crested Grebes and a Garganey.
Ringing sessions at East Dunes and Aylmer Avenue were reasonably productive, with a Redstart, a Siskin, several Lesser Redpolls, Long-tailed Tits and Blackbirds being the most prominent new birds ringed. A British-ringed Lesser Redpoll was controlled.

October 6th: Tennyson Sands held 12 Avocets, and the Mere a Jack Snipe and 2 Water Rails. Around were a Green Woodpecker, 2 Marsh Harriers, 7 Buzzards, a Willow Warbler, a Sedge Warbler, a Brambling and numerous Goldcrests, Chiffchaffs, Lesser Redpolls and Goldfinches. South went 8 Whooper Swans. Redwings arrived in good numbers (200+) as did smaller numbers of Blackbirds (50+) and a single Ring Ouzel from 9am onwards until just after 1pm, plummeting out of the clear blue sky and calling loudly, having just arrived in a head wind from the continent.

Prolonged simultaneous ringing sessions at East Dunes and Aylmer Avenue together resulted in 467 new birds ringed, 303 at Aylmer Avenue and 164 at East Dunes, mostly Goldfinches, with considerable numbers of Goldcrests and Greenfinches, along with Chiffchaffs, Lesser Redpolls and Blackcaps, amongst others. A Dutch-ringed Blackcap and a British-ringed Goldcrest were controlled at Aylmer Avenue, whilst a Reed Warbler and a Brambling were also ringed there.

Over 250 Goldfinch were ringed on the 6th Oct 2012, normally, a healthy number for a whole year!
Photo - Mick Briggs

October 5th: The Spoonbill lingered on Jackson's Marsh, and 13 Avocets, a Ruff, 2 Greenshanks and a Spotted Redshank on Tennyson Sands. Around were a Hen Harrier, a Merlin, a Marsh Harrier, a Short-eared Owl, 6 Jays, a Redstart, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 2 Stonechats, a Whinchat and 50 Goldcrests. At sea a Long-tailed Skua, a Purple Sandpiper, 250 Gannets, 50 Auk Spp and a Great Skua flew south. South over land went 10 Rooks, 1051 Goldfinches, a Yellow Wagtail, 2 Bramblings, 13 Whooper Swans, a Hobby and 2 Swallows, amongst other species.
A morning ringing session on East Dunes was again productive, with 70 birds processed again. These included a Ring Ouzel, a Sparrowhawk, 41 Goldfinches, 13 Goldcrests, 5 Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler, a Siskin and the expected other species.

                                      2+CY female Ring Ouzel (George Gregory)

October 4th: The Spoonbill remained on Jackson's Marsh, and 12 Avocets, 5 Spotted Redshanks and a Ruff on Tennyson Sands. Around were 4 Mediterranean Gulls, a Pied Flycatcher, 70 Chiffchaffs and a Redstart. Southward passage included 5 Jays (possibly the beginning of an irruption), 14 Rooks, 2 Crossbills, a Brambling, 900 Goldfinches, and numerous Reed Buntings and other species.
A morning ringing session on East Dunes was productive, providing 70 birds processed, including a Jay, a Coal Tit, 14 Goldcrests, 16 Chiffchaffs, 5 Song Thrushes, 10 Goldfinches, 7 Reed Buntings, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and the usual other species.

                                           1CY Jay (George Gregory)

October 3rd: On Jackson's Marsh were a Spoonbill, 6 Greenshanks, 6 Spotted Redshanks and a Black-tailed Godwit, and on Tennyson Sands 12 Avocets. Around were 25 Goldcrests, 12 Chiffchaffs, a Pied Flycatcher, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Stonechat, 2 Jays, 4 Crossbills, 2 Merlins, a Marsh Harrier, 3 Buzzards, a Short-eared Owl and 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers. About 100 Pink-footed Geese flew southeast. Going south were 6 Whooper Swans, 1365 Goldfinches, 420 House Martins, 109 Swallows, a Sand Martin and 48 Siskins.
A morning ringing session on East Dunes resulted in a Sparrowhawk, and moderate numbers of Goldcrests, Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and others being ringed.

1CY male Sparrowhawk (George Gregory)

October 2nd: Jackson's Marsh held 4 Greenshanks, and Tennyson Sands 6 Spotted Redshanks, 3 Greenshanks, 13 Avocets, a Bar-tailed Godwit and a Black-tailed Godwit. Around were a Ring Ouzel, a Hen Harrier, a Pied Flycatcher, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Wheatear, 2 Stonechats, 2 Redstarts, 5 Coal Tits and a Buzzard. Birds flying south included a Hawfinch and a Brambling, while 55 Pink-footed Geese headed northwest and 36 more east. Over 1000 Goldfinches either passed south or were on site.
Ringing on East Dunes provided 10 Goldcrests, 8 Chiffchaffs and the usual other species, while another Moorhen was ringed on Croftmarsh.

October 1st: A Yellow-browed Warbler was in the Plantation. On Jackson's Marsh were a Spoonbill and a Black-tailed Godwit, and on Tennyson Sands 17 Avocets, a Black-tailed Godwit and a Ruff. Around were a Merlin, a Peregrine, a Short-eared Owl, a Green Sandpiper, a Crossbill, 20 Goldcrests, a Jay, 2 Redstarts, 12 Chiffchaffs and 3 Stonechats. South went a Lapland Bunting, a Brambling, 2 Tree Pipits and a Pink-footed Goose, as well as numerous Redpolls, Meadow Pipits, Goldfinches, Reed Buntings and others.
A morning ringing session on East Dunes produced a new Chiffchaff as well as the usual Blackcaps, Dunnocks, Robins and Reed Buntings, amongst others.

Late September 2012

September 30th: Windy. On Jackson's Marsh were a Spoonbill and a Black-tailed Godwit, and on Tennyson Sands 17 Avocets, 5 Spotted Redshanks and 4 Ruffs. Finding landbirds was not easy because of the wind, but 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, a Pied Flycatcher, a Spotted Flycatcher, 50 Goldcrests and a few common warblers were present. Around were a Marsh Harrier, a Hobby and a Greenshank. Heading northwest or north were 200 Pink-footed Geese whilst a skien of 120 headed west over Aylmer mid morning. South went a Yellow Wagtail and small parties of Siskins, Redpolls and Tree Sparrows, amongst the usual pipits and other species.
Morning ringing sessions at East Dunes and Aylmer Avenue provided moderate returns, with several Goldcrests, and various warblers and finches being of note.

Lesser Redpoll ringed at Aylmer Avenue 30/09/2012
Photo - Liv Vincent

September 29th: The Spoonbill returned to Jackson's Marsh, while on Tennyson Sands were a Pink-footed Goose and 15 Avocets, and on the Mere 5 Black-tailed Godwits. At least 4 Yellow-browed Warblers were on the reserve. Other landed birds included 6 Redstarts, a Treecreeper, a Stonechat, a Pied Flycatcher, a Crossbill, a Willow Warbler, 57 Goldcrests and 12 Chiffchaffs. Flying south were a Lapland Bunting, 2 Tree Pipits, a Hobby and various finches and other pipits. Around were a Green Woodpecker, 4 Greenshanks and a Spotted Redshank.
Simultaneous ringing sessions at East Dunes and Aylmer Avenue were very productive in both variety and numbers, with 200 new birds ringed. 146 of these were ringed at Aylmer during an all day session. Birds ringed included a Redstart, a Magpie, 8 Chiffchaffs and numerous Goldfinches and Greenfinches amongst others.

1st year male Redstart ringed 29/09/2012
Photo - M.Briggs

1st year male Redstart ringed 29/09/2012
Photo - M.Briggs

1st Year Magpie ringed 29/09/2012
Photo - M.Briggs 

September 28th: A Yellow-browed Warbler was seen in East Dunes early morning, and another at Aylmer Avenue in the afternoon. Jackson's Marsh held 2 Greenshanks, and Tennyson Sands 4 Spotted Redshanks, 14 Avocets and a Black-tailed Godwit. Southward movers included an Osprey, 1193 Swallows, 310 House Martins, 3 Sand Martins plus the usual finches, pipits and others. Around were a Pied Flycatcher, 2 Redstarts, a Whinchat, a Cuckoo, 34 Goldcrests, a Whimbrel, a Great Skua and a Merlin.
A morning and an afternoon ringing sessions on East Dunes provided a Sparrowhawk and several new Song Thrushes, but otherwise only a few common warblers and other species.

                                    1CY male Sparrowhawk (George Gregory)


September 27th: The Spoonbill flew from Jackson's Marsh first south then north, early morning. On Tennyson Sands were 8 Avocets, 2 Ruffs and 2 Black-tailed Godwits. Around were a Cuckoo, a Redstart, a Willow Warbler, 2 Redwings, a Whimbrel and a Greenshank. Going south were 75 Pink-footed Geese, a Yellow Wagtail, 19 Tree Sparrows and 20 Siskins.
The main species caught in a morning and an afternoon ringing sessions on East Dunes were Dunnocks and Meadow Pipits, but a few warblers, Robins and others added variety.

September 26th: Wind decreasing. A Yellow-browed Warbler was found near the Yacht Club. On Jackson's Marsh were a Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank and a Pintail, and on Tennyson Sands 14 Avocets and a Black-tailed Godwit. Around were a Merlin, 2 Marsh Harriers, a Green Woodpecker, a Crossbill, a Ring Ousel, 30+ Redstarts, 2 Pied Flycatchers, 3 Spotted Flycatchers, a Reed Warbler, 10 Chiffchaffs, 14 Goldcrests and 4 Bramblings. South over land flew 29 Siskins and other finches. Heading south at sea were a Great Skua, 7 Arctic Skuas and 158 Wigeons, and north a Little Gull and a Pochard, while a Peregrine came in and 151 Gannets and 18 Red-throated Divers were offshore.
A morning ringing session on East Dunes was productive, with newly ringed birds including 28 Robins, 3 Redstarts, 16 Meadow Pipits, a Tree Pipit, 2 Blackcaps and the usual other species, and retraps featuring 2 Garden Warblers and 2 Robins. An evening session there added 6 more new Robins.

September 25th: Still windy. Jackson's Marsh held a Spoonbill, 2 Greenshanks and a Pink-footed Goose, Tennyson Sands 11 Avocets, a Greenshank, 4 Spotted Redshanks, 3 Ruffs and a Green Sandpiper. A Grey Phalarope landed on the sea, and a Purple Sandpiper went north. Landed migrants included 2 Whinchats, 6 Spotted Flycatchers, 2 Pied Flycatchers, a Willow Warbler, 13 Goldcrests, 10 Redstarts, 2 Redwings and 5 Chiffchaffs. Around was a Marsh Harrier.
Ringing on East Dunes in the morning produced 18 Robins, 2 Redstarts, a Wheatear, a Garden Warbler and the usual other species.

September 24th: Wet and windy. On Jackson's Marsh was the Spoonbill, on Tennyson Sands were a Pink-footed Goose, a Greenshank, 12 Avocets, 3 Ruffs, 4 Spotted Redshanks and 2 Black-tailed Godwits, and on the Mere was another Black-tailed Godwit. Landbirds included a Common Rosefinch in East Dunes, 2 Pied Flycatchers, a Spotted Flycatcher, 5 Wheatears, 2 Whinchats, 5 Redstarts, a Tree Pipit, 2 Redwings, 8 Bramblings, a Reed Warbler, 10 Goldcrests and 7 Chiffchaffs. At sea a Cory's Shearwater flew south at 1345hrs, 2 Long-tailed Skuas, 15 Great Skuas, 12 Arctic Skuas and a Black Tern also flew south, 2 Puffins, 2 Manx Shearwaters, 250 Gannets, 12 Fulmars, 7 Arctic Terns, 7 Little Gulls, a Sooty Shearwater and 370 Common Scoters flew north, and 10 Sandwich Terns and 8 Common Terns were offshore

September 23rd: Increasing easterly windy. The Spoonbill remained on Jackson's Marsh. There was an arrival of at least 30 Goldcrests, plus a Firecrest near Mill Hill. Other birds around were a Short-eared Owl and a Greenshank. On Tennyson Sands were 3 Spotted Redshanks, 12 Avocets and 19 Black-tailed Godwits, and on Jackson's Marsh 2 Ruffs and a Greenshank. At sea 201 Common Scoters and 3 Red-throated Divers flew north, while 7 Brent Geese, 7 Sandwich Terns and 3 Arctic Skuas were offshore.
Simultaneous morning ringing sessions at East Dunes and Aylmer Avenue were productive, involving Goldcrests, 2 Coal Tits, a Treecreeper, a Garden Warbler, 2 Chiffchaffs, several tape-lured Meadow Pipits, and the usual finches, tits, warblers and other species.

September 22nd: A single Spoonbill was on Jackson's Marsh, 24 Black-tailed Godwits and 3 Avocets were on Tennyson Sands, and 1200 Golden Plovers were on Croftmarsh. Landed birds included 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, 10 Bramblings, 15 Lesser Redpolls, 20 Siskins, 9 Redwings, 4 Spotted Flycatchers, a Pied Flycatcher, a Garden Warbler and a Redstart. Around were a Hen Harrier, a Peregrine, a Buzzard, 3 Short-eared Owls, 2 Rooks and a Greenshank. Heading south were 7 Whooper Swans, 80 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Rock Pipits and 8 Red-throated Divers, and north a Pomarine Skua, 4 adult Little Gulls, 6 Auk Spp and 29 Common Scoters. Offshore were 3 more Red-throated Divers.
A morning ringing session on East Dunes provided the first Redwing of the autumn, 2 Goldcrests, a Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, a few tape-lured Meadow Pipits and the usual other species. An afternoon session there added a Pied Flycatcher and a Reed Warbler, amongst others.

September 21st: Mostly rainy. On Jackson's Marsh were 3 Spoonbills. Around were a Marsh Harrier, a Green Woodpecker, a Wheatear and a Goldcrest, while 65 Pink-footed Geese flew southeast and a Siskin south. Sea-watching provided 7 Red-throated Divers, 3 Wigeons and 3 Teals south, and a Great Skua, 2 Arctic Skuas, 63 Gannets, 17 Sandwich Terns and a Common Tern offshore.

Mid September 2012

September 20th: Light then moderate rain for most of morning. The 3 Spoonbills were still on Jackson's Marsh, while a Pectoral Sandpiper, 10 Avocets and 11 Black-tailed Godwits were on Tennyson Sands. Around were a Marsh Harrier, a Common Buzzard and 50 Golden Plovers. A Pomarine Skua, 100 Gannets and a Curlew Sandpiper were offshore. A Red-throated Diver flew north and 2 Sandwich Terns south.
A rain-shortened morning ringing session on East Dunes provided a Goldcrest, the usual warblers, and the first Kingfisher ringed here for several years.

                                        1CY Kingfisher (George Gregory)

September19th: Still quite windy. Jackson's Marsh held 3 Spoonbills, 2 Pintails, 5 Wigeons and 2 Greenshanks, Croftmarsh the Osprey and a Buzzard, Tennyson Sands 11 Avocets, 34 Black-tailed Godwits and a Greenshank, and the Mere 4 Greenshanks and a Water Rail. Around were a Marsh Harrier, a Hen Harrier, a Short-eared Owl, a Green Sandpiper, 13 Chiffchaffs, 27 Goldcrests and a Coal Tit. Flying north offshore were a Manx Shearwater and 3 Arctic Skuas, and south a Great Crested Grebe. Offshore waders included 85000 Knots, 2500 Bar-tailed Godwits and 500 Dunlins. Birds heading south over land included 23 Siskins, 246 Meadow Pipits, 349 Swallows, 2787 House Martins, 16 Lesser Redpolls and 3 Buzzards.
A ringing session on East Dunes this morning was moderately successful, with a Goldcrest, several warblers and all three common hirundines trapped.
An Oak Bush-cricket, a first record for Gibraltar Point, was found in a moth trap recently.

                                       Oak Bush-cricket (Timothy Bagworth)

September 18th: Increasing wind. Early morning on Jackson's Marsh were 4 Spoonbills and a Ruff, and on Tennyson Sands a Greenshank, 29 Avocets and 26 Black-tailed Godwits. The Osprey and a Buzzard flew around over Croftmarsh. A female/first-year male Nightjar was flushed from the ground near Aylmer Avenue. Around were 18 Pink-footed Geese, a Water Rail on Old Saltmarsh, a Hobby, a Hen Harrier, 2 Marsh Harriers and a Coal Tit. Going south were 1675 Swallows, 32 Yellow Wagtails, 274 Meadow Pipits, a Lesser Redpoll, 15 Siskins and a Crossbill. High tide wader movements were impressive.
Birds ringed on East Dunes this morning included a Garden Warbler, several Goldcrests and Chiffchaffs, and 10 Swallows.

                                High tide over New Saltmarsh (George Gregory)


September 17th: On Jackson's Marsh were 3 Spoonbills, 6 Greenshanks and a Pintail, on Tennyson Sands 28 Avocets, 38 Black-tailed Godwits and a Ruff, and on Croftmarsh an Osprey. Three unusual birds were present: a Nuthatch (a Gibraltar Point rarity) in East Dunes, a Green Woodpecker near Aylmer Avenue, and a leucistic Swallow (or possibly a Swallow x Sand Martin hybrid), being harassed by wild-type Swallows, near Wash Viewpoint. Also around were 2 Spotted Redshanks, 60 Golden Plovers, a Peregrine, a Buzzard, a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Grey Wagtail, a Garden Warbler, 2 Whinchats and a Goldcrest. Moving south were 1000 Swallows, 25 House Martins, 15 Sand Martins, 62 Yellow Wagtails, 300 Meadow Pipits, a Tree Pipit and 5 Siskins. High tide wader movements included 110000 Knots
A morning ringing session on East Dunes revealed a continuing arrival of Dunnocks and Blackcaps, but few other landed migrants.

September 16th: Increasing wind. On Jackson's Marsh were 4 Spoonbills, a Green Sandpiper and a Pintail, on Tennyson Sands 2 Spotted Redshanks, a Black-tailed Godwit and 26 Avocets, and on Croftmarsh an Osprey and another Black-tailed Godwit. Around were a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard, a Hobby, a Greenshank, 4 Whinchats, a Wheatear, a Goldcrest and 3 Chiffchaffs. Heading south were 150 Meadow Pipits, 250 Swallows and 4 Sand Martins.
Ringing at Aylmer Avenue and East Dunes this morning was quite productive, with the usual species involved.

September 15th: This morning on Tennyson Sands were 3 Spoonbills, 26 Avocets, 57 Black-tailed Godwits and a Ruff, and on the Mere 2 Water Rails. A Pomarine Skua was offshore. After the strong winds more landbirds appeared, and 8 Siskins and a moderate number of hirundines went south.
Simultaneous ringing sessions at East Dunes and Aylmer Avenue were productive, and indicated small but welcome arrivals of Chiffchaffs, Goldcrests, Dunnocks, Robins, Siskins and Lesser Redpolls, as well as the usual other species. A hirundine roost catch at the Mere was modestly successful.

September 14th: Windy, two rainy spells. On Jackson's Marsh were 4 Spoonbills and a Black-tailed Godwit, and on Tennyson Sands 37 Avocets and a Garganey. The escaped Crimson Rosella was around. A few hirundines went south.

September 13th: Jackson's Marsh held 4 Spoonbills and a Ruff, and Tennyson Sands 64 Black-tailed Godwits and a Greenshank. Flying around were 23 Pink-footed Geese, a Marsh Harrier and a ringtail Hen Harrier. The escaped Crimson Rosella was at the Field Station.
The Barred Warbler that was ringed on East Dunes at 32.5g on September 9th was retrapped there at 35.9g this morning. Newly ringed birds included a Reed Warbler and several Blackcaps.

September 12th: Mostly rainy. On Jackson's Marsh were 4 Spoonbills and a Common Sandpiper, on Tennyson Sands a Little Stint, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 28 Avocets and 2 Pintails, and on the Mere a Water Rail. The Osprey lingered on Croftmarsh. Around were 14 Pink-footed Geese, a Peregrine, a Marsh Harrier and 5 Chiffchaffs. Flying south were 3 Yellow Wagtails, 60 Meadow Pipits, 7 Reed Buntings, 32 Golden Plovers and 60 Lapwings.

September 11th: Increasing wind, some rain. On the water bodies were 6 Spoonbills, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 8 Greenshanks and 78 Black-tailed Godwits. The Osprey reappeared on Croftmarsh. Heading south were a Buzzard, a Swift and a moderate number of hirundines. Around were a Marsh Harrier, a Whimbrel, a Chiffchaff, a Wheatear, a Whinchat, a Spotted Flycatcher and a Grey Wagtail, 2 Cuckoos and the escaped Crimson Rosella. Few birds were trapped in a morning ringing session on East Dunes but they included a Cuckoo, a Greenland Wheatear, a Reed Warbler and a Blackcap.

                               1CY Greenland Wheatear (George Gregory)

                                 Juvenile Cuckoo (George Gregory)

Early September 2012

September 10th: Windy. Jackson's Marsh held 6 Spoonbills and 52 Black-tailed Godwits, Tennyson Sands 5 Pink-footed Geese and 19 Avocets, and the Mere a Garganey. The Osprey reappeared on Croftmarsh. Around were a Marsh Harrier, a Mediterranean Gull and a Greenshank. 140 Pink-footed Geese flew overhead and on to Norfolk. Seawatching provided 40 Arctic Skuas, 2 Great Skuas, a Pomarine Skua, a Long-tailed Skua and a Velvet Scoter, as well as many arriving ducks and waders heading south into the Wash.
A ringing session was attempted on East Dunes, using the sheltered nets, but it was entirely unsuccessful, there being a definite lack of landbirds there.

September 9th: On Jackson's Marsh were 5 Spoonbills, 5 Pink-footed Geese, 5 Spotted Redshanks and a Black-tailed Godwit, and on Tennyson Sands 74 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Greenshanks, a Green Sandpiper and 2 Ruffs. The Osprey flew north from Croftmarsh mid morning. Flying south were 24 more Pink-footed Geese. Around were a Marsh Harrier, a Merlin and a Hobby.
A morning ringing session on East Dunes produced a new Barred Warbler, a Pied Flycatcher and the usual other warblers. A simultaneous session at Aylmer Avenue provided the usual finches and other species. A roost catch at the Mere resulted in just 15 Swallows and Sand Martins, significantly down on that of the previous evening.

                                          1CY Barred Warbler (George Gregory)

September 8th: The 5 Spoonbills were on Jackson's Marsh and the Osprey on Croftmarsh. Other birds on Jackson's Marsh included 4 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Common Sandpipers and 7 Greenshanks, and on Tennyson Sands 82 Black-tailed Godwits and 9 Greenshanks. Around were 2 Buzzards and 2 Whimbrels.
A morning ringing session on East Dunes produced modest results but a Moorhen was trapped and ringed on Cowbank. An evening hirundine roost session at the Mere provided 149 new Swallows and Sand Martins, plus 2 retraps and a control.

September 7th: A total of 5 Spoonbills were present on the reserve. An Osprey lingered on Croftmarsh. On Tennyson Sands were 70 Black-tailed Godwits and 17 Avocets, and on Jackson's Marsh 7 Greenshanks and a Green Sandpiper. Around were 3 more Greenshanks and a Marsh Harrier.
Ringing sessions at Aylmer Avenue and East Dunes revealed increased numbers of Goldcrests, plus the usual warblers and finches, amongst others. A late Swallow tape-luring session was productive.

September 6th: On the water bodies were 5 Spoonbills, 5 Spotted Redshanks, a Green Sandpiper and a Common Sandpiper. Around were 6 Marsh Harriers, 2 Buzzards, a Hobby, a Peregrine, a Merlin, 2 Whimbrels, a Wheatear and 3 Tree Sparrows. Flying south were 2 Siskins, 9 Yellow Wagtails and 17 Meadow Pipits, and north a Fulmar. Offshore were 400 Sandwich Terns and an Arctic Skua.
Ringing sessions at Aylmer Avenue and East Dunes were moderately successful, involving mostly the usual warblers, hirundines and finches.

September 5th: The Pectoral Sandpiper was on Tennyson Sands this morning. On Jackson's Marsh were 6 Spoonbills, 64 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Ruffs and a Green Sandpiper. Heading south were a Hobby, 7 Yellow Wagtails, 22 Meadow Pipits and a Lesser Redpoll. Around were a 3 Siskins, a Redstart, a Buzzard, a Marsh Harrier, a Whimbrel and 4 Spotted Redshanks.
A ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced the first Lesser Redpoll ringed this autumn. The catch on East Dunes included a hybrid Tree Sparrow x House Sparrow.

                              Hybrid Tree Sparrow x House Sparrow (George Gregory)


September 4th: Once more the Pectoral Sandpiper reappeared on Tennyson Sands in the afternoon. Other birds there were 70 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Ruffs and a Wood Sandpiper. On Jackson's Marsh were 5 Spoonbills, 26 Greenshanks, 6 Spotted Redshanks, a Green Sandpiper and a Ruff. The Barred Warbler was seen in East Dunes. Another Spotted Redshank, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Hobbys, 4 Buzzards and the escaped Crimson Rosella were around. About 1500 Swallows and another Hobby flew south.
Ringing was productive both at East Dunes and Aylmer Avenue. A Redstart, a Pied Flycatcher and the usual warblers, hirundines and finches were caught. One retrapped Swallow was ringed here last year.

September 3rd: The Pectoral Sandpiper reappeared on Tennyson Sands in the afternoon. Around were 4 Spoonbills, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 4 Whimbrels, 2 Peregrines, a Mediterranean Gull, 4 Marsh Harriers, 5 Buzzards, 16 Tree Sparrows, 3 Common Sandpipers, a Green Sandpiper and 132 Redshanks. A Tree Pipit, 11 Sand Martins and 8 Yellow Wagtails went south. In the evening a presumed hybrid Sand Martin x House Martin was seen over Aylmer Avenue. There was a big Swallow roost on the Mere.
The sunny conditions greatly reduced the ringing catch, but on East Dunes it included a Red-backed Shrike, a Barred Warbler and a Grasshopper Warbler.

                                       1CY Red-backed Shrike (Matthew Heaver)

                                              1CY Barred Warbler (George Gregory)

September 2nd: The Pectoral Sandpiper was still on Tennyson Sands. Other good birds present were 5 Spoonbills, a Cuckoo, a Kingfisher, 2 Marsh Harriers, a ringtail Hen Harrier, 16 Golden Plovers, 2 Siskins, a Peregrine and the escaped Crimson Rosella. Flying south were 1500 Swallows, 128 Sand Martins, a Swift, 3 Hobbys and 4 Crossbills. Offshore were 15 Brent Geese and a Guillemot. Several thousand Swallows roosted on New Saltmarsh.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue resulted in 48 captures, including the first Little Owl ringed here since 1982, a Redstart and 2 Goldcrests. A morning and an evening ringing sessions on East Dunes were much more productive, providing the usual warblers and a big catch of hirundines, totalling 285 birds processed. These included 2 Swallow controls.

                                      1CY Little Owl (George Gregory)

                                       1CY male Redstart (George Gregory)

September 1st: The Pectoral Sandpiper remained on Tennyson Sands. Other birds on the water bodies included 6 Spoonbills, a Water Rail, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 15 Ruffs and a Little Ringed Plover. Around were a Marsh Harrier, a Hobby, a Merlin, a Short-eared Owl, a Wheatear, a Redstart, 15 Crossbills and 2 Wigeons. Heading south over land were 650 Swallows, 67 House Martins and 62 Sand Martins. A seawatch produced a Peregrine in off the sea, a Red-throated Diver and 25 Common Scoters south, a Fulmar north, and 7 Arctic Skuas, a Great Skua, 40 Gannets and a Guillemot offshore.
The twelth and final CES session was done this morning, resulting in 9 new birds ringed and 3 retraps. Simultaneous ringing sessions elsewhere around Aylmer Avenue and East Dunes were, in contrast, very productive, and in all 162 birds were processed, ranging from finches on the feeders, to tape-lured hirundines, to 7 Goldcrests, various warblers and a flock of Long-tailed Tits.

Late August 2012

August 31st: The Pectoral Sandpiper reappeared on Tennyson Sands in the afternoon. Other notable birds around were a Peregrine, a Marsh Harrier, a Short-eared Owl, a Pied Flycatcher, 2 Wheatears, a Redstart, 3 Willow Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs and the escaped Crimson Rosella. Other wading birds on Jackson's Marsh were 4 Spoonbills, a Spotted Redshank, a Black-tailed Godwit, 13 Greenshanks, a Green Sandpiper and a Common Sandpiper, and on Tennyson Sands 77 Black-tailed Godwits and 2 Ruffs.
The catch this morning on East Dunes was modest, but the afternoon ringing session was productive, providing a Pied Flycatcher and a good number of Swallows, amongst others.

                                           1CY Pied Flycatcher (George Gregory)

August 30th: The 6 Spoonbills were still around the reserve. The water bodies and river held 2 Green Sandpipers, 4 Common Sandpipers, 78 Black-tailed Godwits and 3 Greenshanks. Flying south over land were 28 Yellow Wagtails, 174 Swallows, 11 Snipes and 8 Swifts. Other notables were 2 Marsh Harriers, a Short-eared Owl, 2 Wheatears, a Redstart and 50 Golden Plovers. A seawatching session in the windy afternoon provided 17 Gannets and 19 Kittiwakes north, 18 Arctic Skuas, 2 Great Skuas, 2 Manx Shearwaters and 3 Arctic Terns south, and 3 more Arctic Skuas and 9 Guillemots present offshore.
A ringing session on East Dunes this morning yielded few birds, mostly common warblers.

August 29th: Windy then rainy. A Pectoral Sandpiper was photographed during its brief stay on Tennyson Sands. Other waders around were a Little Stint, 77 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Ruffs, a Little Ringed Plover, a Green Sandpiper and 7 Greenshanks. The 6 Spoonbills were still present. Other good birds were 6 Crossbills, a Red-throated Diver, a Garden Warbler, and a Spotted Flycatcher. Heading south were 8 Black Terns.
The wind reduced numbers of birds trapped for ringing this morning, but they included the usual warblers and a Swallow.

August 28th: A Greenish Warbler was discovered mid-morning in the Plantation. A ringtail Hen Harrier passed through. On the water bodies and around were 6 Spoonbills, a Garganey, 22 Greenshanks, 6 Spotted Redshanks, 51 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, a Little Stint, 2 Ruffs, a Green Sandpiper, and 9 Common Sandpipers. Landbirds present included a Whinchat, a Redstart, 2 Garden Warblers, a Willow Warbler and a Pied Flycatcher. A Mediterranean Gull went south to roost.
It was too sunny for a good catch, but a morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded a Yellow Wagtail, a Garden Warbler, a Reed Warbler, a Whitethroat, a Willow Warbler and several Swallows, amongst others.

August 27th: Windy, then also a bit rainy. Around were 3 Spoonbills, 2 Common Sandpipers, a Peregrine, a Pied Flycatcher, a Garden Warbler, 3 Whinchats, a Redstart and a Wheatear. Flying south were 5 Crossbills and 55 Teals.
The weather reduced the catch in this morning's ringing session, but a Pied Flycatcher, a Goldcrest, a Yellow Wagtail, a Willow Warbler, 3 Whitethroats, a Lesser Whitethroat and a few Swallows were new.

August 26th: The 6 Spoonbills and the Little Stint were still present. Other notables included 2 Pied Flycatchers, 4 Spotted Flycatchers, 2 Whinchats, 3 Wheatears, a Redstart, a Short-eared Owl, a Buzzard, 2 Crossbills, a Tree Pipit, 12 Tree Sparrows and 20 Golden Plovers. South went 45 Yellow Wagtails, hundreds of Swallows and 3 Swifts. A Garganey was on the Mere. Offshore were 19 Guillemots, 16 Eiders and 6 Arctic Skuas.
The last simultaneous morning sessions of the Ringing Weekend were at East Dunes and Aylmer Avenue. 151 birds were processed, including a Pied Flycatcher, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Grey Wagtail, a Sparrowhawk, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, the usual warblers and finches, 8 House Martins, a Sand Martin and 85 Swallows. Of the latter 1 was a control.

August 25th: Good birds around included 6 Spoonbills, a Curlew Sandpiper, a Wood Sandpiper, 7 Common Sandpipers, a Whinchat, a Marsh Harrier, a Short-eared Owl, a Mediterranean Gull and a Jay. The usual waders were on the water bodies, and additionally a Little Stint was on Jackson's Marsh.
The Ringing Weekend continued with simultaneous morning sessions on East Dunes and at Aylmer Avenue, providing 139 captures despite interruptions caused by rain. New birds ringed included a Grasshopper Warbler, a Garden Warbler, 7 Willow Warblers, a Chiffchaff, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Reed Warblers, a House Martin and 70 Swallows.

August 24th: Around were 6 Spoonbills, 6 Greenshanks, 4 Green Sandpipers, a Short-eared Owl, 26 Crossbills, a Pied Flycatcher, 3 Tree Pipits, 3 Whinchats, 3 Wheatears and a Hobby. Other waders on Tennyson Sands were 75 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Spotted Redshanks and a Little Ringed Plover, and on Croft Marsh another Black-tailed Godwit. Flying south were 24 Yellow Wagtails and 5 Tree Sparrows.
The Ringing Weekend started. An afternoon session in East Dunes resulted in a Pied Flycatcher, a Lesser Whitethroat and a moderate number of Swallows, amongst others, being caught.

August 23rd: 2 Ospreys were seen over the reserve. More Willow Warblers arrived. Around were 2 Spoonbills, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Whinchats, 3 Wheatears, 2 Tree Pipits and 16 Tree Sparrows. Waders were represented by 36 Greenshanks, 6 Spotted Redshanks, 3 Ruffs and 6 Whimbrels. Heading south were 9 Crossbills. The Garganey moved to Tennyson Sands. The escaped Crimson Rosella hung around the Field Station.
A better ringing session in East Dunes provided 53 captures, including 14 Willow Warblers and 31 Swallows. It was still a bit sunny, however, for a big catch.

August 22nd: A Peregrine and a Merlin were at North End. Other raptors present were 2 Hobbys, 3 Marsh Harriers and a Short-eared Owl. There was a small arrival of Willow Warblers. On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Spoonbills, on Tennyson Sands 72 Black-tailed Godwits, 27 Greenshanks and a Mediterranean Gull, and on the Mere a Garganey and a Pintail. Around were 3 Wheatears, 5 Spotted Redshanks, 3 Ruffs and 70 Golden Plovers. Flying south were 6 Crossbills.
A ringing session in East Dunes this morning was too sunny and windy for a good catch, but 8 Willow Warblers, a Chiffchaff and a moderate number of Swallows were ringed.

August 21st: On the water bodies were 2 Spoonbills, 32 Greenshanks, a Little Stint, 8 Spotted Redshanks, a Garganey, a Pintail and 36 Little Egrets. Around were a Marsh Harrier, a Merlin, 3 Crossbills and 11 Tree Sparrows.
A morning ringing session on East Dunes resulted in 158 captures, including 6 Willow Warblers, a Sedge Warbler, a Tree Pipit, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Yellow Wagtail, a Sand Martin and 144 Swallows. The latter included 3 controls with different sequences and a very rufous new bird.

                                          1CY Yellow Wagtail (George Gregory)

                                Variation in amount of rufous in Swallows (George Gregory)