Late January 2013

January 31st: Still very windy. Heading south were 8 Pintails. Around were 2 Waxwings, 2 Woodlarks, a Water Pipit, a Goldcrest and 2 Bramblings.

January 30th: Very windy. South went 800 Lapwings. Around the feeders were 4 Bramblings. Elsewhere were 1500 Golden Plovers and 2 Goldcrests.

January 29th: Milder but a bit windy. The only notables were 5 Bramblings and a Yellowhammer.
 
Some recent recoveries came through yesterday including:

LC33559 - a 1st year male Blackbird ringed at Gibraltar Point on 13th Nov 2011 and killed by a Cat at Rhos-on-Sea, Conwy on 10th Dec 2012. A 271km movement west in 393 days. A good movement within the UK. This bird may well have been a continental bird originally caught on migration at Gibraltar Point before being killed by a Cat on its wintering grounds just over a year later.

L691894 - an adult female Goldfinch ringed at Gibraltar Point on 25th May 2011 and found freshly dead at Pruniers-en-Sologne, Loir-et-Cher, France on 19th Mar 2012. A 650km movement due south in 299 days. This is a great result! Presumably this bird was heading north or in fact breeding when caught originally and had then overwintered in France when found dead.

January 28th: Frosty start, then slowly milder but with increasing wind. The best birds were a Shorelark, a Mediterranean Gull, 8 Bramblings, 6 Redwings and 2 Fieldfares.

January 27th: Prolonged overnight rain melted almost all of the snow, but windy all day.
  Around were 24 Waxwing, a Shorelark, 55 Corn Buntings and a Buzzard. On Tennyson Sands were a Bittern, a Water Rail, a Bearded Tit and 4 Goldeneyes, and on the Mere another Goldeneye.
  A ringing session at Aylmer Avenue from first light was quickly abandoned after two consecutive net rounds without a bird caught. The wind was picking up rapidly so it was decided to spend the day doing the annual returns to the BTO. Only two New birds were caught - a Blackbird and a Greenfinch - along with three Retraps - a Robin and two Greenfinches.
  After looking at the data for this year so far, it became apparent that after 234 processings of Greenfinches this year, we have actually handled 204 different Greenfinches at the feeding station in the month of January so far: no wonder they are getting through so much food!

Part of the Mere Enclosure where the flooding after the snow has melted stretches through the fence line into Measures - 27th Jan 2013. Photo - Mick Briggs.

January 26th: Heavy very early morning snow, then a somewhat milder day with the majority of the snow gone by late afternoon in the warming conditions. The wind switched around to WSW and was building during the day.
  On Tennyson Sands were a Bittern and 3 Water Rails. A Waxwing flew south and another 20 were around, as were 2 Snipes, 9 Woodcocks, a Goldcrest, 15 Bramblings, 20 Blackbirds, 40 Redwings and 3 Fieldfares. Late afternoon 250 Pink-footed Geese arrived on Croftmarsh.
  Ringing at Aylmer Avenue from 11am untill 3.45pm resulted in just 10 new birds which included 3 more Bramblings and another Fieldfare! There were also around 30 retraps, including three more Bramblings.

1st year female Fieldfare ringed on 26th Jan 2013 - the 2nd of the year.
Photo - Mick Briggs.

Our Meadow Pipit ringing area in Measures - looking more flooded and still mostly frozen - 26th Jan 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs

Female Brambling ringed on 26th Jan 2013, pushing us up to 28 new Bramblings for the month so far.
Photo - Mick Briggs.

January 25th: Cold, with increasing wind. The best birds recorded were a Woodcock, 6 Redwings, 2 Siskins, 10 Bramblings and 22 Fieldfares.
A ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Dave Vincent resulted in 17 New birds and 39 Retraps. Birds were as follows (new/retraps) - (9/14) Greenfinch, (4/5) Brambling, (3/2) Chaffinch,  (1/1) Blackbird, (0/1) Fieldfare, (0/5) Blue Tit, (0/2) Great Tit, (0/2) Dunnock, (0/2) Robin. The Fieldfare retrap was the one ringed a couple of days ago, as was the retrap Blackbird. It is amazing that a Fieldfare seems to be coming to the feeding station regularly when we don't feed with apples. The four new Bramblings pushes us up to 25 new Brambling during January so far, and there is still the weekend to come.

Libary picture of Fieldfare ringed on 28th Nov 2010. Retraps of this species are wholly unexpected.
Photo - Mick Briggs.

January 24th: Milder, with some thawing of the snow. Around were 5 Waxwings, 25 Corn Buntings, 55 Fieldfares, 20 Redwings and 3 Redpolls.
  Below are a couple of shots of a snowbound reserve from earlier in the week.

Hebrideans wondering where all the grass has gone? 22nd Jan 2013.
Photo - Sam Wilson.

  

Fenland Lagoon - not quite frozen due to the high salt content  22nd Jan 2013.
Photo - Sam Wilson.

January 23rd: Another cold day with temperatures struggling just a couple of degrees above zero, although it felt much warmer with the harsh ENE wind relenting at last. Cloudy all day but dry, the snow already on the ground starting to melt slowly.
  Sightings on the reserve today included a Lapland Bunting, with big numbers of Skylarks on the Millenium Ridge along with 2 Snow Buntings. There was also a Twite with the Linnet flock. A pair of Goldeneyes were on the Mere whilst there was a Water Rail on Fenland Lagoon and another on the Old Saltmarsh. Also noted were a Woodcock and a Yellowhammer.
  Ringing at Aylmer Avenue by Dave Vincent resulted in 30 new birds and just 29 retraps. This was one of the best results this year so far; clearly all the snow on the ground and freezing conditions have started to push birds towards the coast. The best birds ringed were an incredible 12 Bramblings, more than we have done through all of January in just one day! Is it going to be a "Big Brambling Spring" or is it just a blip due to the weather? Only time will tell. There were also 9 Greenfinches, 5 Chaffinches, 2 Goldfinches, a Blackbird and, best of the day, a Fieldfare.
  Amongst the retraps were a Coal Tit and another Brambling. Around the nets all day were 2 to 3 Moorhens which never went into a net when flushed on net rounds. There were also 2 Woodcocks flushed whilst going to and from the nets.
 

Tracks in the snow - identify that bird? 22nd Jan 2013.
Photo - Sam Wilson.

Lapwing on Fenland Lagoon looking like it can't wait for spring! 22nd Jan 2013.
Photo - Sam Wilson

January 22nd: Still staying bitterly cold in a fresh ENE wind, temperatures hovering around freezing point.
  Sightings today included 3 Snow Buntings, 45 Fieldfares, 2 Coal Tits, 2 Bramblings, 21 Woodcocks, a Hen Harrier, 2 Siskins (south), 65 Corn Buntings and a Shorelark (north of Greenshanks Creek). On the Mere were a Bearded Tit, a Mediterranean Gull and 2 Water Rails.
  Here are some shots of the reserve today, taken by Sam Wilson whilst walking around the reserve.

Jew's Ear fungus on Elder in the East Dunes - 22nd Jan 2013.
Photo - Sam Wilson.

Hebridean Sheep in the East Dunes - 22nd Jan 2013.
Photo - Sam Wilson.

The strandline near Greenshanks Creek - 22nd Jan 2013.
Photo - Sam Wilson.

January 21st: More heavy snow overnight as forecast, with the brisk ENE wind creating some cracking conditions for drifts on the reserve. Cold all day, hovering around the freezing mark. Much calmer winds and just the occasional snow flurry through the day.
  Today 1000s upon 1000s of Starfishes were washed up on the beach around Greenshanks Creek, resulting in 5000 Herring Gulls, 2000 Common Gulls, 1500 Black-headed Gulls feeding amongst them. Also recorded today were 3 Snow Buntings (including 1 south), 17 Reed Buntings, 68 Corn Buntings (near Visitor Centre), 560 Skylarks (in a single flock on the saltmarsh!), 412 Meadow Pipits, 54 Rock Pipits, 12 Snipes, 2 Hen Harrier (adult males into roost), a Barn Owl, a Kestrel, a Merlin, a Peregrine, 4 Woodcocks, 10 Red-throated Divers, 283 Curlews and 1200 Dunlins.
  No ringing today and the pictures below show why!

The cattle in the Mere enclosure waiting for their hay bales.
Photo - Paul Seymour.

The Feeding Station! - No Ringing today! Plenty of bird food disappearing though!
Photo - Paul Seymour.

Mid January 2013

January 20th: More of the same today, with a brisk cold ENE wind still blowing, staying just above freezing all day with no snow until after dark.
  The brisk ENE wind produced the following birds over the sea: 5 Fulmars and an adult Kittiwake north, an adult Little Gull and 2 Great Skuas south, a Guillemot and 30 Red-throated Divers. Other birds on the reserve included a Merlin, 60 Corn Buntings and 50 Meadow Pipits. There were also 3 Water Rails showing off and on in front of the Fenella Hope hide (the middle hide) on Tennyson Sands.
  I would just like to say a big Thank You to Richard Doan for emailing us most of the recent bird records from the 8th to the 20th January.
  Ringing at Aylmer Avenue resulted in just 6 new birds, including a Brambling, by 2pm, when the wind got just a bit too strong as it moved slightly to a more easterly direction. There were also around 30 retraps including a lot of Blue Tits, nearly all of which were three to four years old and one that was 7 years old. There were also two retrap Bramblings, and mid morning a Moorhen bounced off one of the nets!

Adult Great Tit, the fourth new one of the year, 20th Jan 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs.

 

Adult male Chaffinch, a really large bird, possibly continental, 20th Jan 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs.

 

2nd year male Brambling, the ninth of the year ringed, 20th Jan 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs.

January 19th: Despite the near-freezing conditions and brisk ENE wind that really went through you if you stood out somewhere exposed, ringing was carried out from 10am till near dusk at Aylmer Avenue today. Luckily there was no more snow, although some heavy snow is forecast for tomorrow.
  Around on the Freshwater Marsh were at least 8 Snipes, on the shoreline out from the Wash Viewpoint were a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers, and hunting over the New Saltmarsh was a Peregrine. On Tennyson Sands was a Water Rail. On Rock Ridge there were 90+ Corn Buntings. Elsewhere there were 3 Fieldfares, 7 Redwings, 5 Bramblings, a Merlin, 20+ Woodcocks and 2 Ringed Plovers.
  The Moorhen contingent on the flooded areas of Measures (which is now frozen solid enough to walk on!) again refused to go anywhere near any of the Potter traps deployed for them for the day, although 3 birds did get quite close to the feeding station nets at one point.
  A total of 20 new birds were caught at the feeding station, including 2 Bramblings, 2 Goldfinches, 2 Chaffinches and 14 Greenfinches. There were also around 45 retraps, including 2 more Bramblings and our control Blue Tit from last week. There were also a 6 year old Greenfinch, a 7 year old Chaffinch, and an adult female Great Spotted Woodpecker.

2nd year Robin, one of four that came to the feeding station at Aylmer Avenue on 19th Jan 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs

 

Adult female Great Spotted Woodpecker retrap on 19th Jan 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs.

 

2nd year male Brambling on 19th Jan 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs.

 

The back of the Mere Enclosure. Note the flooded area is frozen solid enough to walk on, 19th January 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs.

 

The Field Station looking fairly quiet! 19th Jan 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs.

 

The entrance to the reserve from South Car Park - not many people going out there today! 19th Jan 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs.

 

Roadside Pond, 19th Jan 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs.

January 18th: On Rock Ridge were 20 Corn Buntings, whilst elsewhere there were 4 Woodcocks.

January 17th: The snow that fell on Monday the 14th from mid afternoon onwards was finally photographed today amidst some serious freezing fog that has been hanging around for much of the week. Daytime temperatures have only been above freezing for a few hours at a time during the week and the results are clear on the photos below.

Measures, site of Meadow Pipit catching area, 17th Jan 2013.
Photo - Dave Vincent.

View across Old Saltmarsh from South Car Park, 17th Jan 2013.
Photo - Dave Vincent.

 

Roadside Pond, 17th Jan 2013.
Photo - Dave Vincent.

 

Road through the reserve near Jackson's Marsh, 17th Jan 2013.
Photo - Dave Vincent.

 

Footpath along roadside of Tennyson Sands, 17th Jan 2013.
Photo - Dave Vincent.

 

Tennyson Sands, 17th Jan 2013.
Photo - Dave Vincent.

 

Tennyson Sands, 17th Jan 2013.
Photo - Dave Vincent.

January 16th: The recent sub-zero temperatures have started to bring lots more Woodcocks onto the reserve, with a walk through Measures producing 10 birds. Still there were sub-zero temperatures for most of the day.

January 15th: No records received for today, so nothing to report, mainly again due to it being -8C for most of the day.

January 14th: Very little of note today, not surprisingly with it being -6C for most of the day.

January 13th: Slightly warmer than yesterday with periods of sunshine through the heavy cloud. A slight easterly, although nearly still from mid afternoon onwards. Just the first few flurries of light snow as the day finished, the first of 2013 with more to come?
  A Purple Sandpiper and 3 Snow Buntings were on Millenium Ridge. Sea-watching produced 125 Red-throated Divers south into the Wash, 5 Red-breasted Mergansers and 5 Great Crested Grebes. Flying south over land was a Lapland Bunting. Elsewhere on the reserve were a Merlin, a Peregrine, a Barn Owl, 2 Tawny Owls, a Short-eared Owl, 7 Woodcocks, 3000 Golden Plovers, 2200 Oystercatchers, 3000 Knots, 630 Grey Plovers, 21 Turnstones, 33 Sanderlings, 6 Ringed Plovers, the over wintering Cetti's Warbler, 5 Lesser Redpolls and 10 Corn Buntings.
  Another long day's ringing at Aylmer Avenue resulted in just 10 new birds, bringing us up to a reasonable 84 new birds ringed so far this year (in some years we don't even manage 50 during the entire month of January). There were also around 60 retraps, with over 120 different finches visiting the feeding station over the weekend (exact figures will follow later). the highlights today, besides retrap Bramblings, were the first new Wren of 2013 (we usually don't catch and ring any Wrens during January).
  Much of the reserve is still under water from the torrential and persistent rain of late, as the photographs below show. This is an area we often use for a Meadow Pipit triangle (arrangment of nets for catching Meadow Pipits) and is usually dry enough to wander around it in trainers; Wellington boots will only just do the job now, though. There are several Moorhens taking advantage of this wet ground at the moment, but despite best attempts, brown bread would not draw them into some Potter traps deployed for the day. However after removing the traps, the bread was seen to be cleared up by two adults Foxes (in broad daylight!) within ten minutes of us leaving the area with failed traps.

An area of Measures that we use in September/October for catching Meadow Pipits on migration, under water from the very wet winter so far.
Photo - Mick Briggs

An area in between the Mere and the West Dunes, generally quite dry although not at the moment.
Photo - Mick Briggs

January 12th: Bitterly cold in the easterly breeze, despite the sunshine for most of the day. There was a slight frost overnight.
  Landed birds featured the Cetti's Warbler again at Shovelers Pool, and 2 Bearded Tits on Jackson's Marsh. South over the sea were a juvenile Marsh Harrier and 7 Common Scoters. On the Mere was a pair of Goldeneyes.
  Ringing today at Aylmer Avenue resulted in just 7 new birds and around 30 retraps: not the desired result really, but none the less the retraps are providing us with an accurate picture of exactly how many individual birds are visiting the feeders during the average day. The highlights were a couple of Bramblings ringed a week or so ago.

January 11th: In the West Dunes were 2 Waxwings. Otherwise 75 Redwings were notable.

Early January 2013

January 10th: Flying north-west were 170 Pink-footed Geese. In the Plantation/Orchard area Winter Aconites are now in flower.

January 9th: Bird noted included a single Waxwing, and the Cetti's Warbler again at Shovelers Pool.

January 8th: There were 2 Waxwings and a Coal Tit in the Plantation. A Rough-legged Buzzard flew over Jackson's Marsh at 1430hrs.
  In the Plantation Snowdrops are now in flower.

January 7th: Numbers of  Lapwings increased to 4500, and of Curlews to 500. Offshore were a Shag, 35 Eiders and 800 Common Scoters. Around were the Rough-legged Buzzard, a Common Buzzard and a Brambling.

January 6th: Foggy afternoon. The Rough-legged Buzzard was still present, as were a Peregrine and a Cetti's Warbler. Other notables were a Great Northern Diver offshore, 2 Snow Buntings on the beach, and 6 Gadwalls on Tennyson Sands. Pink-footed Geese on the move were 32 northwest and 94 west.
  Another ringing session at Aylmer Avenue was quite successful, the best of 54 captures being 2 Bramblings, a Goldcrest and a Kestrel.

January 5th: Around were a Rough-legged Buzzard, 3 Crossbills, 4 Woodcocks, 6 Bramblings, a Purple Sandpiper, a Merlin, 2800 Golden lovers, 2000 Lapwings, a Peregrine and 3 Song Thrushes. Heading northwest were 430 Pink-footed Geese.
  Ringing at Aylmer Avenue was very quiet, with 2 Bramblings and a Coal Tit being of note.

Female Brambling ringed on the 5th Jan 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs

January 4th: Flying south were a Waxwing, a Crossbill and 11 Whooper Swans. A Green Sandpiper was on Croftmarsh. The best other birds were a Rough-legged Buzzard, a Hen Harrier, a Water Pipit, 7 Bramblings, 8 Redwings, a Cetti's Warbler and a Woodcock.
 A ringing session at Aylmer Avenue was productive, with 77 birds processed, mostly retraps. New birds included 2 Bramblings.

January 3rd: Fairly windy morning. Around were 3 Waxwings, a Water Pipit, 500 Curlews and 6200 Golden Plovers. The best raptors were a Rough-legged Buzzard, a Common Buzzard, a Peregrine, a Hen Harrier and a Marsh Harrier. North went a Great Northern Diver, south a Lapland Bunting, and northwest 75 Pink-footed Geese.

January 2nd: Rain most of day. Southward movers were 250 Pink-footed Geese and 23 Siskins, and northwest 120 more Pink-footed Geese. Landed birds included 3 waxwings, a Rough-legged Buzzard, a Woodcock, a Water Pipit and 2 Bramblings.
  A ringing session at Aylmer Avenue was all too brief, being curtailed due to the arrival of persistent rain. Just a small number of Greenfinches and Goldfinches were the first birds ringed here in 2013.

January 1st: Happy New Year to everybody reading this blog! Thanks to all of you for reading this Blog throughout 2012 and hopefully we will be able to see out another year's ringing and recording, and will strive to keep you all entertained throughout the coming twelve months of 2013.
  Fairly windy. Around were a Rough-legged Buzzard, a Common Buzzard, 3 Bramblings, 5 Snow buntings, a Purple Sandpiper and 6 Waxwings. On Jackson's Marsh was a Pintail, and on the Mere a Goldeneye. South went 3 Whooper Swans.
 Following the recent heavy rain, the water bodies on the reserve are at their highest levels ever.

                                High water level at Jackson's Marsh (George Gregory)

Late December 2012

December 31st: Rainy afternoon. The best birds were 10 Waxwings, a Rough-legged Buzzard and a Water Rail.

December 30th: Windy. Around were 10 Waxwings.

December 29th: Rain most of day. South went 10 Whooper Swans. On Jackson's Marsh were 5 Water Pipits.

December 28th: Rainy morning, windy afternoon. Flying south were 27 Waxwings and 23 Snow Buntings. The Rough-legged Buzzard and 15 Fieldfares were around. On Tennyson Sands were a Pintail and a Goldeneye.
The persistent rain has resulted in standing water in a number of places on the reserve, including the Plantation.

                                   Flooded path in the Plantation (George Gregory)

December 27th: South went 21 Waxwings, 10 Whooper/ewick's Swans, 4 Stock Doves and a Crossbill. Around were a Rough-legged Buzzard, 7 Goldcrests, a Pintail and a Water Rail.
A prolonged ringing session at Aylmer Avenue yielded 110 birds processed, including a Brambling and 2 Goldcrests.

December 26th: Rainy afternoon. The best birds were 12 Waxwings, 7000 Golden Plovers, a Pintail and a Merlin.

December 25th: Rainy morning. Around were 10 Waxwings, 2 Twites, a Peregrine, 5 Woodcocks, 5000 Golden Plovers, a Pintail, a Lapland Bunting, a Water Pipit, 33 Fieldfares and a Hen Harrier.

December 24th: Rain all day. Around were 8 Waxwings and a Pintail. The huge Golden Plover flock across the River Steeping was disturbed by shooters on Wainfleet Marsh.
The flooded area on Gibraltar Road has increased and has more or less joined up with an enlarged Roadside Pond.

December 23rd: Windy. On Wainfleet Marsh were 16000 Golden Plovers and 2000 Lapwings. Otherwise, the best birds recorded were a 49 Waxwings, a Marsh Harrier, a Hen Harrier, a Merlin, 2 Bramblings, a Woodcock and 25 Corn Buntings.

December 22nd: Rain all day. A Woodcock was at Aylmer Avenue. The Golden Plover flock, mostly across the River Steeping, has increased to 10000 birds.
  The heavy and prolonged recent rain has flooded Gibraltar Road near the Yacht Club, albeit only to a few inches deep. This is on the landward side of the combined sea and tidal river defences, so is not caused by seawater, just by rain. Several times a year the road, car park and paths on the seaward side of the defences are temporarily flooded by seawater at high tides, but this is different.

                                 Gibraltar Road near the Yacht Club (George Gregory)


December 21st: The winter solstice. Around were 500 Golden Plovers. A Long-tailed Duck came in from the north and landed on the sea.
A ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced the usual finches and tits, including many retraps.
  The World did not end today despite this being long predicted! It looks like another year's ringing coming up in just ten days' time.

Mid December 2012

December 20th: Rain all day, causing flooding on the road near the Yacht Club, a rare event. Little was seen.

December 19th: Flying south were 18 Waxwings and a Lapland Bunting. On the Mere were 520 Teals. Birds around included 2 Snow Buntings, a male Hen Harrier, 300 Lapwings and 500 Golden Plovers.

December 18th: South went 25 Waxwings, a Water Pipit and a Lapland Bunting. Present were 3 Woodcocks, a Cetti's Warbler and a Hen Harrier.
Ringing at Aylmer Avenue produced a moderate catch, including 3 new Bramblings.

December 17th: Landed birds included a Purple Sandpiper, a Cetti's Warbler, a Water Rail, 25 Corn Buntings and a Chiffchaff. Heading south were 28 Waxwings and 55 Fieldfares. Offshore were 50 Red-throated Divers and a Razorbill. In off the sea came a ringtail Hen Harrier.

December 16th: At least 124 Waxwings and 2 Lapland Buntings went south. Around were a Shorelark, a Purple Sandpiper, 12 Corn Buntings, a Chiffchaff, a Cetti's Warbler, 2 Hen Harriers, 7 Fieldfares, a Water Pipit and a Merlin.
A ringing session at Aylmer Avenue was reasonably productive, birds processed including 5 new Bramblings and a retrap Blue Tit at least 6 years old.

December 15th:  Milder. Flying south were 42 Waxwings. Offshore were a probable Surf Scoter (seen distantly) and a Great Skua. Other birds included a Cetti's Warbler, a Marsh Harrier, a Hen Harrier, a Merlin, a Buzzard, a Water Pipit, 11 Redwings, 4000 Golden Plovers, a Lapland Bunting and a Chiffchaff.

December 14th: Windy morning, rainy afternoon. A Pintail was on the Mere. Around were 1200 Golden Plovers, 12 Snow Buntings and a Goldcrest.

December 13th: Still frozen all day. The best birds were 5 Waxwings, a Goldeneye and 2 Pintails.

December 12th: Hoar frost all day. Around were 3 Fieldfares.

December 11th: Frozen morning, foggy afternoon. The main birds recorded were 15 Waxwings, 5 Woodcocks and 3 Fieldfares.

Early December 2012

December 10th: Intermittent rain. Around were 6 Waxwings, a Hen Harrier and a Water Rail. Going southeast were 2 Bewick's Swans

December 9th: A Grey Phalarope was seen at various sites. Also around were 15 Waxwings, a Peregrine and 30 Snow Buntings. Flying south were 3 Bewick's Swans.
  It was too windy for ringing today, so it was time to provide the ringing shed at Aylmer Avenue with a new notice board, salvaged from a skip! and to improve the feeding station with two new feeding posts to hold the new large capacity feeders that have been generously donated. We can now accommodate 24 Greenfinches and 40 Goldfinches on just four feeders at two positions. Hopefully this is going to pay huge dividends when we come to the spring finch passage. There seems to still be a very healthy finch flock around, with 10 Goldfinches seen on one of the Niger seed feeders at the same time whilst erecting the new feeder positions. Whilst working on the feeding station today there were two flocks, an eight and, later, a flock of seven Waxwings went over heading south. All the Waxwings this weekend over Aylmer Avenue seem to have landed close to the Mere Hide: perhaps somebody is leaving apples near the hide?

The new notice board in the Aylmer Avenue Ringing Base. Hopefully we will fill this with lots of pictures of interesting birds during 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs

One of two new feeding positions at our feeding station. The large capacity feeders can accommodate 20 Goldfinches on the Niger seed feeder and 12 Greenfinches on the Sunflower seed feeder at the same time.
Photo - Mick Briggs

December 8th: Cold start. On the Mere was a Water Rail, and on Jackson's Marsh a Goldeneye. Other good birds were a late Ring Ouzel, 30 Waxwings, a Bittern, 2 Marsh Harriers, 20 Siskins, 3 Woodcocks, a Brambling and 100 Fieldfares.
  Ringing at Aylmer Avenue from 10am onwards resulted in 22 new birds and 21 retraps. The new birds were made up of just Greenfinches and Goldfinches apart from a solitary Blackbird. Amongst the retraps was yet another British-ringed control Greenfinch, ring number TR58605. As usual, if you know the origins of this bird, let us know by emailing mbriggs@gibobs.fsworld.co.uk. Whilst ringing at Aylmer Avenue, two flocks of Waxwings went south: 12 to 15 at 1.30pm and then a group of 8 at 3pm. Also at 3.20pm a Bittern took of from the Mere and moved off towards Jackson's Marsh.
  One picture that I thought I really had to show readers of the blog was this one showing the build up of thrush excrement around one of the reserve's cattle troughs during the big thrush influx of November. There must have been literally hundreds, if not thousands, of deposits around all four sides of this cattle trough, left as the birds drank from the trough. November 2012 will really last a long time in the memories of those lucky few that witnessed the thousands of Redwings and other thrushes that desended on the reserve.

One of the reserve's cattle troughs showing the build up of thrush excrement around the outside of it, deposited whilst drinking from the cattle trough, several inches thick in places, showing just how many thrushes were on site during November.
Photo 11.11.2012 - Mick Briggs

December 7th: Rain most of day, so reduced coverage. A Hen Harrier, 2 Merlins, a Woodcock, 2 Short-eared Owls, a Snow Bunting and a Goldcrest were around.

December 6th: Overnight snow. Around were 12 Waxwings, 3 Woodcocks, a Hen Harrier, 30 Snow Buntings, a Buzzard, a Siskin and 6 Mistle Thrushes. On Jackson's Marsh was a Goldeneye, and on Tennyson Sands a Pintail. Heading west were 18 Snipes.

December 5th: Cold, with wintery showers in afternoon. Flying south were 10 Waxwings. Other notables were 7 Goldeneyes, 4 Woodcocks, 4 Song Thrushes, a Water Pipit, a Brambling and 2 Buzzards. A Black Brant or intergrade was amongst the Dark-bellied Brent Geese.

December 4th: Frozen start. Waxwing totalled 30, of which 25 went south. On the Mere were 2 Bearded Tit. Other birds recorded included a Marsh Harrier, 40 Snow Bunting, 8 Siskin and a Redpoll.

December 3rd: Rainy then foggy morning. The best birds recorded were 22 Waxwings, a Water Pipit, 450 Golden Plovers and a Gadwall.
  Regular readers of this blog may remember back on the 11th November that we had a Blackbird control from Norway, the 2nd Blackbird from Norway this November.
  Well now, amazingly Sveinung Larsen from Norway has emailed me (Mick Briggs) to let me know the origin of this bird, he said that he couldn't resist leaking the details, although obviously we will still be submitting the control details through the correct channel, to the BTO.
  It was ringed at Utsira, Norway on the 24th October 2012. So that's a 746km movement SSW in just 18 days!
  What a great result and again, just goes to show the amazing power of both the internet and of the blog, and perhaps most amazingly, of the incredible migrations undertaken by birds during the spring and autumn.
  Many thanks to Sveinung Larsen for the ringing details and for getting in touch. It is great to know that fellow ringers overseas are reading our blog. Thank You!
  Also other readers of this blog may like to check out the website for Utsira Fuglestasjon, which has lots of pages in English including monthly round ups with lots of mouth watering pictures of birds that birders over here in Britain can but dream of. The Website can be found at http://www.utsirafuglestasjon.no/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=60&Itemid=38

Stavanger Museum, Norway Ring number 7576514 on a Blackbird controlled at Aylmer Avenue on the 11.11.12.
We now know that 18 days earlier this bird was ringed at Utsira Fuglestasjon, 746km away!
Photo - Mick Briggs

December 2nd: Another frosty start, but warming up very slowly on a very still day. Waxwings totalled 65, whilst a Bittern was seen flying between the Mere and Tennyson Sands. Other good birds were 58 Snow Buntings, a Lapland Bunting, a Cetti's Warbler, a Hen Harrier, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Bramblings, 2 Merlins, a late Ring Ouzel, 50 Corn Buntings, 659 Pink-footed Geese, a Fieldfare and a Shag.
  A ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced very similar results to yesterday, with more Greenfinches, Goldfinches and Chaffinches, although yesterday's Brambling was swapped for a Siskin, and there was also a new Song Thrush. Also, instead of a control Greenfinch as yesterday, there was a British-ringed control Chaffinch, ring number Y702209. We were unable to find out on the spot where this one was ringed so if you ringed it, let us know by commenting on this post or emailing mbriggs@gibobs.fsworld.co.uk
  As the autumn comes to a close, most of the nets have been taken down for the winter, and as the last of the nets were taken down in one of the net rides at Aylmer Avenue, Liv and Dave Vincent and Mick Briggs were treated to a flyover (at only 20 feet) by a Bittern heading from the direction of the Mere towards Tennyson Sands. Then just seconds later 10 Waxwings flew over (also at just 20 feet), heading south. It was almost as if the birds were giving us a "Top Quality Flypast" to celebrate another successfull year's ringing! For Liv Vincent, it was two life ticks in under a minute: she was a Very Happy Scribe!!!
  With unusual behaviour being observed, both from Bittern - flying about in broad daylight over the dunes, and Water Rail - visiting the Warden's garden pond, are we about to have a proper cold snap, possibly just in time for a White Christmas?
  Also of note today was this cracking example of Evernia prunastri, also know as Oak Moss. (See picture below.) This is a species of Lichen found throughout much of the Northern Hemisphere. Oak Moss grows primarily on the trunk of Oak trees but is also found on the bark of other deciduous trees and some conifers. Many of the Hawthorns at Gibraltar Point have them but this is a really good example of the thalli (branches) of Oak Moss which are flat and strap-like, resembling the form of deer antlers. They are rough when dry and rubbery when wet and they are used extensively in modern perfumery.
  In the countries of South Central Europe, they are harvested and exported to the Grasse Region of France where its fragrant compounds are extracted. They are a key component of "Fougere" and "Chypre" class perfumes.

Evernia prunastri, also known as Oak Moss, a species of lichen on a Hawthorn tree on 2nd December 2012
Photo - Mick Briggs

Evernia prunastri, also known as Oak Moss, a species of lichen on a Hawthorn tree on 2nd December 2012.
Note the flat deer antler-like thalli
Photo - Mick Briggs

The cold start to the day had obviously effected the shyness of this Water Rail which had decided that it was brave enough to visit the Warden's garden pond in front of his kitchen window on 2nd December 2012
Photo - Sam Wilson

December 1st: Rain until 10am, then feeling chilly in the 10mph north-westerly wind. Flying south were 78 Waxwings and 3 Goosanders. On the Mere was a Water Rail. Around were a Merlin, 300 Golden Plovers, a Woodcock, 10 Snipes, 40 Snow Buntings and 4 Twites.
  A ringing session at Aylmer Avenue resulted in 33 new birds. The catch was entirely made up of finches apart from a solitary Blackbird: there were 4 Chaffinches, 22 Greenfinches, 5 Goldfinches and a first-year male Brambling. Amongst the 35 retraps was a British-ringed control Greenfinch wearing ring number BR32639, a sequence that would of appeared to be a pretty old. Thanks to the miracles of modern technology, we were able to find out within 30 minutes that the bird was originally ringed in August 2011 at Frampton by Alan Ball, so it was not really so old after all.
  Two of our Niger seed feeders were replaced with 20 port versions. Hopefully this will keep our Goldfinch flock happy this winter. The finch flock visiting the feeding station still appears to contain 70+ Goldfinches and 120+ Greenfinches. At one point, a Waxwing headed south over the feeding station though it was too high to get caught in a net.
  Also today, the year's ringing total went though the 9035 barrier, making 2012 the second highest year total ever.

Happy-looking Goldfinches on one of two new Niger seed feeders on 1st December 2012.
Photo - Mick Briggs

Adult male Chaffinch ringed on 1st Decmeber 2012
Photo - Mick Briggs

One of our resident Goldfinch flock ringed on 1st December 2012
Photo - Mick Briggs

Late November 2012

November 30th: Freezing start. On Croftmarsh was a Water Pipit, and on the Mere a Pintail. Other landed birds included 50 Blackbirds, 15 Redwings, a Common Redpoll, 8 Song Thrushes, 11 Goldcrests and a Bullfinch. Southward movers featured 2 Waxwings, 50 Siskins, 2 Song Thrushes and a Brambling.

November 29th: Flying south were a Lapland Bunting, 6 Siskins, 65 Common Scoters and 5 Red-breasted Mergansers, north 11 Snow Buntings, and east 51 Pink-footed Geese. Around were 2 Bullfinches and 2 Fieldfares. On the Mere were 2 Water Rails.

November 28th: Quite windy, with intermittent rain. On the Mere was a Water Rail. Other birds present included a Hen Harrier, a Merlin, a Woodcock and 5 Corn Buntings. Flying east were 25 Pink-footed Geese and south 2 Little Auks.

November 27th: Windy, with rain in morning. Around were 7 Redwings. At sea 7 Little Auks went north and 2 Little Gulls south, while 3 Great Northern Divers were recorded.

November 26th: Rainy morning, then mild. South went 7 Siskins. The best other birds recorded were a Water Pipit, a Bullfinch, 2 Goldcrests, a Corn Bunting, a Hen Harrier, a Peregrine, 600 Pink-footed Geese and 2 Water Rails.

November 25th: Very windy but decreasing, with rain early morning. On Tennyson Sands was a Pochard. Around were 9 Waxwings, a male Hen Harrier, a Merlin and 1200 Pink-footed Geese. 

November 24th: Near the Hump were 21 Waxwings and a Corn Bunting, on the Mere were a Water Rail and 11 Snipes, on Tennyson Sands a Pochard, and at Oval Pond a Cetti's Warbler. Around Measures were 5 Waxwings for much of the day, whilst 2 more flew south over Aylmer Avenue during the day.
  A ringing session at Aylmer Avenue was reasonably successful, with 48 new birds ringed. Only the usual finches and other species were processed, although there was a partially leucistic Lesser Redpoll, with a strange state of moult in progress as well. Annoyingly, in between closing the nets at 2pm and leaving the site at 2.15pm, around 270 finches had moved into the feeding station: apparently they know when the nets are open! This flock held around 40 Siskins, 70 Goldfinches, 30 Chaffinches and 130 Greenfinches.

Partially leucistic Lesser Redpoll ringed on the 24th November 2012. The defective pigmentation was present in just the right wing and the end of the tale feathers.
Photo - Mick Briggs

Partially leucistic Lesser Redpoll ringed on the 24th November 2012. The bird only showed signs of leucism in the right wing, the left wing appearing completely normal. Note the two secondaries in moult (although only on the right wing), with the inner secondaries showing considerable leucism along with three greater coverts.
Photo - Mick Briggs 

November 23rd: Mild and sunny. Landed birds included 10 Waxwings, a Woodcock, a Water Pipit, a Snow Bunting and 5000 Golden Plovers. Southward movers included 20 Siskins and 8 Bewick's Swans.

November 22nd: Windy. The best birds around were 9 Waxwings, 5 Snow Buntings, a Lapland Bunting, a Water Pipit and 4 Redwings. Flying south were 50 Siskins.

November 21st: Rain all day, so reduced coverage. The only notables were 3 Waxwings, 2 Water Pipits, 4 Fieldfares and 2 Bramblings.

Mid November 2012

November 20th: Windy and rainy. Around were 4 Waxwings, 2 Bearded Tits, a Corn Bunting, a male Hen Harrier, a female Marsh Harrier, a Woodcock and 5 Bramblings. On the Mere were a Water Rail and a Jack Snipe. Offshore was an Eider. South went a Water Pipit.

November 19th: Windy, with light rain in afternoon. At least 14 Waxwings were present. Other notables included 2 Bearded Tits, a Water Pipit, a Treecreeper and a Woodcock.
Ringing was not possible.

November 18th: Frosty start, then sunny. Moving south were 36 Waxwings. On Tennyson Sands were 3 Bearded Tits and a Water Rail, on the Mere a male Goosander, and on the river 5 Whooper Swans. Flying south were 2 Lapland Buntings, a Bullfinch and 5 Bramblings. Around were 11 Corn Buntings, 18 Snow Buntings, a Merlin, a Peregrine, a Kingfisher and a Treecreeper.
  Ringing at Aylmer Avenue provided the usual species in moderate numbers but nothing of real note.

Sunset on the 17th promised a cracking day on the 18th but it just didn't really seem to live up to recent days at Aylmer?
Photo - Mick Briggs

November 17th: Drizzly morning, then mild. Around were a Rough-legged Buzzard, a Hen Harrier, a Peregrine, a Merlin, 3 Woodcocks, a Purple Sandpiper, 4 Water Rails and 1300 Pink-footed Geese. At sea were a Long-tailed Duck, 2 Great Northern Divers and 20 Little Gulls. Flying south were 40 Waxwings, 41 Pink-footed Geese, 3 Crossbills, 2 Snow Buntings, a Water Pipit and 42 Siskins, and northwest a Bean Goose and 17 Pink-footed Geese. A Waxwing hung around near Aylmer Avenue for much of the day.
  A ringing session from just after the rain stopped at 11am until late afternoon at Aylmer resulted in a reasonable catch, including a Woodcock.

                                                2+CY Woodcock (George Gregory)

November 16th: Colder. Southward movers over land included 41 Waxwings, 150 Siskins, 10 Bramblings, 2 Crossbills and 2 Snow Buntings, and over sea 5 Bewick's Swans, a Great Northern Diver, 69 Eiders, 50 Common Scoters and 2 Red-breasted Mergansers. An influx of Pink-footed Geese resulted in 2600 present or moving through. High tide wader counts featured 5000 Knots, 2400 Bar-tailed Godwits, 750 Sanderlings and 1950 Grey Plovers. Around were a male Hen Harrier, a Merlin, a Woodcock and 3 more Snow Buntings.
A final morning ringing session for this year on East Dunes provided a Blackbird with an Arnhem VT Holland ring. A session at Aylmer Avenue resulted in a new Brambling and a few others of the usual species processed.

                             2+CY male Dutch-ringed control Blackbird (George Gregory)

November 15th: Persistent fog. The Cetti's Warbler was refound near Prince's Pond. On Tennyson Sands were 4 Bearded Tits. The best other birds present were 2+ Waxwings, a Long-eared Owl, a Snow Bunting, 5 Redwings, 10 Fieldfares, 6 Goldcrests, 5 Water Pipits, 500 Pink-footed Geese, 3 Water Rails, a Treecreeper, a Green Sandpiper and 5 Bramblings.
Ringing at Aylmer Avenue was again reasonably rewarding, birds of interest including a new Sparrowhawk and a retrap Coal Tit.

November 14th: Around were 18 Waxwings, a Firecrest, 4 Water Pipits, a Chiffchaff, a Yellowhammer, 2 Water Rails, 600 Pink-footed Geese, a Peregrine and a Merlin. Offshore were 130 Common Scoters. Heading south were another 3 Waxwings, 3 Whooper Swans, 3 Yellowhammers, 18 Snow Buntings and 6 Siskins.
  A ringing session at East Dunes produced only a new Siskin, but a longer one at Aylmer Avenue was again fairly productive, with the usual finches and others trapped.

November 13th: Damp start but mild. The Cetti's Warbler reappeared near Mill Hill. On Tennyson Sands were 2 Bearded Tits, briefly. On the Mere was a Water Rail. Around were 450 Pink-footed Geese, a Merlin, 2 Short-eared Owls and 2 Yellowhammers. South went a Mediterranean Gull, 7 Whooper Swans, 2 Snow Buntings, 10 Crossbills and 2 Siskins, and east an Egyptian Goose.
  Ringing at Aylmer Avenue produced a reasonable catch, including 2 Goldcrests and 2 Lesser Redpolls, but otherwise mostly the usual finches. At one point there were 15 Crossbills circling over the nets but they didn't seem to understand what the rules of the game were...

                                              Pink-footed Geese (George Gregory)

November 12th: Mild morning, persistent light rain in afternoon. Southward movers included 11 Whooper Swans, 37 Great Crested Grebes, 130 Common Scoters, 25 Stock Doves, 100 Siskins, a Yellowhammer, 7 Twites, 6 Bramblings and 2 Tree Sparrows. On the Mere was a Water Rail. Around on land were a Water Pipit, a Snow Bunting, a Bullfinch and 2 Goldcrests, and offshore 3 Slavonian Grebes and 14 Eiders.
A prolonged ringing session at Aylmer Avenue was quite productive, the most interesting new birds being 3 Yellowhammers and a Tree Sparrow.

November 11th: A frosty start with clear sky for much of the night. Sun and scattered high altitude cloud for the whole day with a slight south-westerly wind. Birds around included 2+ Waxwings, a Cetti's Warbler showing occasionally between Mill Hill and Shovelers Pool, a male Hen Harrier, a Merlin, 450 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Water Rails, a Chiffchaff, 60 Siskins, 15 Goldcrests, 5 Bramblings, a Bullfinch, 5 Crossbills and 15 Corn Buntings. Flying south over the beach was a Snow Bunting, whilst south over the dunes were 20 Lesser Redpolls, 110 Siskins and 10 Bramblings.
  Ringing at the Observatory resulted in just 2 new birds ringed, whilst at Aylmer Avenue 49 new birds were ringed, including 31 Greenfinches, several Goldfinches and Chaffinches, a single Lesser Redpoll and a single female Brambling.
  However, the real star birds were in the form of not one but two foreign controls. The first was a female Blackbird wearing a ring from Stavanger Museum, Norway (the 2nd Blackbird from Norway this November). The second control of the day was a real corker - a Goldcrest wearing a ring from Riks Museum, Sweden.

Stavanger Museum, Norway Ring number 7576514 on a 1st year female Blackbird controlled at Aylmer Avenue on the 11th November 2012. The 2nd Norwegian Blackbird of November.
Photo - Mick Briggs

Riks Museum, Sweden Ring number SX5789 on a first year male Goldcrest controlled at Aylmer Avenue on the 11th November 2012. Our first foreign control Goldcrest this year and the fourth from Sweden since 2005.
Ringers amongst you will notice that the ring is slightly longer than a British ring.
Photo - Mick Briggs

   Also of note was a superb example of Diplolepis rosae, a gall, commonly known as Bedeguar Gall or Robin's Pincushion Gall or sometimes Moss Gall. The gall develops as a chemically induced distortion of an unopened leaf axillary or terminal bud, in this case on a Dog Rose although it can also be found on Field Rose. It is caused  by the parthenogenetic hymenopteran Gall Wasp, Diplolepis rosae.
  Being so prominent and interesting in appearance, the gall has more folklore attached to it than most. The term Bedeguar comes from the French word Bedegar and is ultimately from the Persian, Bad-awar, meaning 'wind brought'. Robin in Robin's Pincushion refers to the woodland sprite of English Folklore, Robin Goodfellow.
  The gall is surrounded by a dense mass of sticky filaments giving the appearance of a ball of moss. The filaments are often brightly coloured and are usually at their best in September, starting off green and then passing through pink and crimson, eventually becoming a reddish brown. Large specimens can be up to 10cm in width, with this one not being far off that at around 7cm in diameter. The wasps' larvae will develop through the winter until finally emerging in May when the structure will appear brown, woody and dry looking.
  In this case with the gall being so high off the ground, it is unlikely that many wasps will emerge from the gall as most will perish during the freezing conditions of the winter. Generally, the lower the gall is, the higher the survival to wasp stage the larvae has.
  It was thought historically that the gall once dried and powdered could be used as a good cure for colic, as a diuretic and as a remedy for toothache. Once burnt, the ashes mixed with honey could be used as a cure for baldness, whilst if placed under a pillow, would induce sleep. A veritable Cure All it would seem!

 Bedeguar Gall or Robin's Pincushion Gall or sometimes known as Moss Gall - 11th November 2012
 Photo - Mick Briggs 

 Bedeguar Gall or Robin's Pincushion Gall or sometimes known as Moss Gall - 11th November 2012. The structure is the result of a chemically induced distortion of an unopened leaf axillary or terminal bud
Photo - Mick Briggs

 Bedeguar Gall or Robin's Pincushion Gall or sometimes known as Moss Gall - 11th November 2012.
The gall is surrounded by a dense mass of sticky filaments giving the appearance of a ball of moss.
 Photo - Mick Briggs