Mid October 2016

October 20th. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Woodcock, a Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank, 200 Fieldfare, 50 Redwing, a Green Woodpecker and 4 Stonechat. Heading south were a Great Northern Diver, 34 Whooper Swan, 430 Pink-footed Goose, a Pomarine Skua and the usual finches; and north-west 40 Pink-footed Goose.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, produced 48 new birds: 14 Goldcrest, a Wren, a Chiffchaff, 10 Robin, 2 Blackcap, 2 Dunnock, 3 Song Thrush, 4 Redwing, 10 Blackbird and a Woodcock; and 20 retraps: 7 Robin, 2 Goldcrest, 3 Blackbird, a Wren, 2 Dunnock, a Song Thrush and 4 Long-tailed Tit.

Woodcock, ringed 20th October 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

October 19th. Around were 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Stonechat, 6 Chiffchaff, a Wheatear, a Ring Ouzel, a Marsh Harrier, 193 Brent Goose, 300 Wigeon, a Grey Wagtail, 18 Brambling and 25 Tree Sparrow. A male Hen Harrier flushed up a Jack Snipe on the Old Saltmarsh.  The morning high tide produced 9000 Oystercatcher, 60000 Knot and 4500 Bar-tailed Godwit. Flying south were 21 Whooper Swan, 600 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Swallow, a House Martin, a Lapland Bunting, 8 Yellowhammer and an assortment of finches. In off the sea came a Short-eared Owl.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 39 new birds: 8 Wren, a Chiffchaff, 19 Robin, a Blackcap, 3 Reed Bunting, a Chaffinch, a Dunnock, 3 Redwing, a Song Thrush and a Blackbird; 6 retraps: 2 Robin, a Blackcap, a Song Thrush, a Linnet and a Goldcrest; and a control Robin.

October 18th. Moderately strong southerly wind; spells of rain from mid morning.
 A Radde's Warbler was discovered along the Cycle Track near the Yacht Club in the afternoon. The Dusky Warbler remained highly vocal and highly mobile. At least 2 Yellow-browed Warbler still showing well at Sykes Farm. a probable Little Bunting disappeared into the Outer Ridges. Around were a Ruff, 15000 Knot, a Hen Harrier, a Stonechat and a Wheatear. Morning rain made the morning wader count impossible. Going south were a Goosander, a Grey Heron and a Yellowhammer.
 A brief, restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 15 new birds: a Wren, 3 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, 5 Robin, 2 Lesser Redpoll, a Goldfinch and a Blackbird; and 5 retraps: a Wren, a Blackbird, a Dunnock and 2 Robin.

Fieldfare and Redwing, 18th October 2016.
Photo - Mel Hood

October 17th. Fresh south-easterly wind.
 The Dusky Warbler was rediscovered in the evening. Birds around, including those trapped, were 3 Yellow-browed Warbler, a Firecrest, 5 Bearded Tit, 90 Pink-footed Goose, a Marsh Harrier, 10 Snipe, a Water Rail, 300 Fieldfare, 5 Ring Ouzel, 6 Stonechat, a Whinchat, a Grey Wagtail, 3 Swallow, 3 Tree Sparrow and 15 Redpoll. Wader movement at high tide involved 70000 birds. Heading south during a good a good day's visible migration were 2 Crossbill, a Twite, 12 Swallow, 4 House Martin, a Buzzard, a Kestrel and many finches, pipits and other species.
 A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 49 new birds: 2 Wren, 28 Goldcrest, a Firecrest, 7 Robin, a Blackcap, a Dunnock, 3 Song Thrush and 6 Blackbird; and 11 retraps: 3 Robin, 2 Song Thrush, 5 Goldcrest and a Chaffinch.

Ring Ouzel with Hawthorn haw, 17th October 2016
Photo - Paul Neale

Ring Ouzel (above) and Fieldfare (below), 17th October 2016
Photo - Paul Neale

Fieldfare, 17th October 2016
Photo - Paul Neale

Ring Ouzel, 17th October 2016
Photo - Paul Neale

Firecrest, ringed 17th October 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

October 16th. Increasing south-easterly wind; rain from mid morning to early afternoon.
 Around, including birds trapped, were a Richard's Pipit, 3 Yellow-browed Warbler, a Cetti's Warbler, 4 Bearded Tit, 35 Pink-footed Goose, 250 Brent Goose, a Hen Harrier, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Peregrine, a Merlin, 380 Fieldfare, 4 Ring Ouzel, 4 Stonechat, 2 House Sparrow, 10 Redpoll, 15 Siskin, 5 Water Rail, 7 Spotted Redshank and a Woodcock. Flying south were 700 Golden Plover, 5 Swallow, 120 Fieldfare, a Grey Wagtail, 4 House Sparrow, 22 Tree Sparrow, 13 Redpoll, 70 Siskin and 55 Brambling.
 A brief morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 27 new birds: 8 Goldcrest, 2 Wren, 10 Robin, 2 Song Thrush, 4 Blackbird and a Woodcock; and 7 retraps: 4 Robin, a Wren, a Blackbird and a Redwing.
 Over at Aylmer Avenue a brief ringing session by Mick Briggs resulted in 61 new birds: 49 Goldcrest, 4 Goldfinch, 2 Blackbird, 2 Robin, 2 Chiffchaff and singles of Brambling and Chaffinch; and no retraps.
  A return visit by Mick Briggs in the afternoon sun provided a single late Barn Owl pullus from a nest box, probably a second brood for the resident pair.

Bearded Tits, 16th October 2016.
Photo - Paul Neale

Bearded Tit, 16th October 2016.
Photo - Paul Neale

Peregrine, 16th October 2016.
Photo - Paul Neale

October 15th. A Pallas's Leaf Warbler was discovered in East Dunes, and a Dusky Warbler was trrapped and ringed at Aylmer Avenue. Birds around, including those trapped, were 200 Pink-footed Goose, a Marsh Harrier, 3 Yellow-browed Warbler, a Cetti's Warbler, 2 Bean Goose, 25 White-fronted Goose, a Woodcock, a Jack Snipe, a Grey Wagtail, 300 Fieldfare, 400 Redwing, 200 Robin, 150 Goldcrest, 4 Ring Ouzel, a Whinchat, 2 Stonechat and 150 Brambling. On Tennyson's Sands were a Spoonbill, 2 Bearded Tit, 2 Ruff, 60 Black-tailed Godwit and 4 Water Rail. A Hawfinch was perched up briefly in the West Dunes before heading south.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 70 new birds: 2 Wren, 21 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, 17 Robin, 3 Blackcap, 2 Reed Bunting, a Cetti's Warbler, 2 Goldfinch, 3 Dunnock, 8 Song Thrush, 4 Redwing and 6 Blackbird; and 10 retraps: 3 Robin, a Great Tit, 2 Blackbird, 3 Goldcrest and a Dunnock.
 Over at Aylmer Avenue an all day ringing session including a full roost catch by Team Briggs, (but only operating half of the nets available) resulted in 412 new birds: 122 Goldcrest, 68 Brambling, 61  Robin, 54 Goldfinch, 36 Redwing, 16 Song Thrush, 14 Blackbird, 12 Chaffinch, 6 Blackcap, 6 Greenfinch, 4 Blue Tit, 4 Dunnock, 2 Wren, 2 Chiffchaff, and singles of Dusky Warbler, Reed Bunting, Tree Sparrow, Great Tit and Fieldfare. The were also 2 retraps: a Robin and a Blue Tit.
 The Dusky Warbler was a real surprise and is just the 2nd ever ringed by the Bird Observatory.

Pallas's Warbler in the East Dunes, 15th October
Photo - James Siddle

Dusky Warbler, ringed 15th October 2016,
Photo - Richard Doan

Dusky Warbler, ringed 15th October 2016.
Photo - Richard Doan

Dusky Warbler, ringed 15th October 2016.
Photo - Richard Doan

Cetti's Warbler, ringed 15th October 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Bearded Tit, 15th October 2016.
Photo - Russell Hayes

Magpie, 15th October 2016.
Photo - Paul Johnson 

Water Vole, 15th Ocyober 2016.
Photo - Paul Johnson

October 14th. The Red-flanked Bluetail remained in West Dunes. Around, including birds trapped, were 3 Yellow-browed Warbler, a Firecrest, 8 Ring Ouzel, 300 Fieldfare, 200 Redwing, 2 Ruff, 2 Greenshank, a Woodcock, a Kingfisher, a Merlin and 5 White-fronted Goose. Going south were 205 Pink-footed Goose, 6 Sandwich Tern, a Lapland Bunting, 12 Redpoll, a Bullfinch and 105 Brambling; and north a Mediterranean Gull. In from the east came 2 Egyptian Goose with a Greytlag Goose.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, produced 86 new birds: 14 Goldcrest, a Wren, 35 Robin, 4 Blackcap, 2 Reed Bunting, a Great Tit, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Dunnock, 4 Greenfinch, 6 Redwing, 11 Song Thrush, 4 Blackbird and a Ring Ouzel; and 22 retraps: 2 Wren, 11 Robin, 3 Blackbird, 4 Goldcrest, a Song Thrush and a Dunnock.

Ring Ouzel, ringed 14th October 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

October 13th. Fresh south-easterly wind with showers.
 The Red-flanked Bluetail was still present in West Dunes. Birds around included a Yellow-browed Warbler, a Spoonbill, a Great Grey Shrike, 3 Spotted Redshank, 5 Woodcock, a Jack Snipe, 2 Short-eared Owl, a Tree Pipit, 5 Stonechat, 2 Whinchat, a Hawfinch, 114 Brambling, a Mealy Redpoll, a Lapland Bunting and 22 Ring Ouzel. Heading south were 11 Brambling.

October 12th. A Red-flanked Bluetail was discovered in West Dunes in the morning. Around were a Yellow-browed Warbler, a Great Grey Shrike, a Long-eared Owl, a male Hen Harrier, a Marsh Harrier, a Merlin, 65 Pink-footed Goose, 7 Ring Ouzel, 200 Redwing, a Whinchat, 20 Redpoll, 20 Siskin, 30 Brambling and 3 House Martin. Flying south were 70 Siskin; south-east 70 Pink-footed Goose; and north a Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 71 new birds: 8 Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Wren, 19 Long-tailed Tit, 18 Robin, 2 Blackcap, a Chaffinch, a Goldfinch, 2 Great Tit, a Reed Bunting, a Dunnock, 6 Redwing, 5 Song Thrush, a Fieldfare and a Blackbird; and 8 retraps: 3 Robin, 2 Wren, a Song Thrush and 2 Goldcrest.

Long-eared Owl, 12th October 2016
Photo - Bryony Baxter

Red-flanked Bluetail, 12th October 2016.
Photo - Russell Hayes

Red-flanked Bluetail, 12th October 2016.
Photo - Russell Hayes

Red-flanked Bluetail, 12th October 2016.
Photo - Paul Neale 

Red-flanked Bluetail, 12th October 2016.
Photo - Paul Neale

October 11th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, a Great Grey Shrike, 90 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Merlin, a Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank, 3 Woodcock, a Swallow, 10 Ring Ouzel, 12 Stonechat, a Whinchat, 2 Wheatear, a Redstart, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 15 Siskin and 52 Brambling.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 86 new birds: 4 Wren, 2 Chiffchaff, 30 Goldcrest, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 16 Robin, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Blackcap, 3 Reed Bunting, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Tree Sparrow, a Blue Tit, a Lesser Redpoll, 4 Dunnock, 6 Redwing, 5 Song Thrush and 2 Blackbird; 11 retraps: 4 Robin, 2 Wren, a Dunnock, 2 Goldcrest, a Blackcap and a Long-tailed Tit; and a control Goldcrest with a STAVANGER MUS NORWAY ring.

Early October 2016

October 10th. Birds around included 2+ Yellow-browed Warbler, 3 Ring Ouzel, a Reed Warbler, 7 Spotted Redshank, a Kingfisher, a Merlin and a Peregrine. Going south were 185 Pink-footed Goose and 3 Swallow.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 73 new birds: 2 Wren, 9 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, 3 Robin, 25 Goldfinch, 4 Chaffinch, 3 Blackcap, 5 Reed Bunting, 3 Lesser Redpoll, a Dunnock, 8 Redwing, 3 Song Thrush and 6 Blackbird; and 12 retraps: 6 Goldcrest, 4 Robin, a Blackcap and a Chaffinch.

Yellow-browed Warbler, 10th October 2016.
Photo - Paul Neale

Yellow-browed Warbler, 10th October 2016.
Photo - Paul Neale

October 9th. Soggy start after heavy early morning rain.
 Around, including birds trapped, were 3 Yellow-browed Warbler, a Great Grey Shrike, a Spoonbill, a male Hen Harrier, 2 Buzzard, a Merlin, a Water Rail, a Woodcock, a Greenshank, a Spotted Redshank, a Jack Snipe, a Green Woodpecker, 20 Ring Ouzel, 11 Fieldfare, a Redstart, a House Martin and a Lapland Bunting. Heading south were 2 Whooper Swan, 40 Tree Sparrow, 20 Rock Pipit and 5 Swallow; and north a Little Gull.
 A rain-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 106 new birds: 2 Chiffchaff, 33 Goldcrest, 4 Wren, 14 Robin, 2 Blackcap, a Reed Warbler, a Brambling, 20 Reed Bunting, 7 Goldfinch, a Linnet, a Wheatear, a Dunnock, 4 Redwing, 6 Song Thrush, a Starling, 6 Blackbird, a Fieldfare and a Jack Snipe; and 7 retraps: 4 Goldcrest, a Wren, a Blackcap and a Dunnock.

Spoonbill (adult), 9th October 2016
Photo - Joanne Goodman

Fieldfare, ringed 9th October 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Red Admiral nectaring on Ivy, 9th October 2016.
Photo - Rob Watson

October 8th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 5 Yellow-browed Warbler, a male Hen Harrier, a Marsh Harrier, 10 Pintail, 3 House Sparrow, 13 Swallow, a House Martin, a Yellow Wagtail, a Grey Wagtail, 35 Chiffchaff, 30 Blackcap, 250 Goldcrest, a Wheatear, 2 Stonechat, 23 Ring Ouzel, 30 Fieldfare, 400 Redwing, 80 Blackbird, 140 Song Thrush, 300 Robin, 30 Brambling, 60 Reed Bunting, a Snow Bunting and a Lapland Bunting. Flying south were 52 Pink-footed Goose. A Great White Egret was seen in flight from North Building Ridge.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 75 new birds: 20 Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaff, a Wren, 2 Chaffinch, 15 Robin, 3 Blackcap, 6 Reed Bunting, a Goldfinch, 2 Dunnock, 12 Redwing, 8 Song Thrush and 2 Blackbird; and 9 retraps: 3 Goldcrest, 2 Great Tit, a Dunnock, a Blackbird and 2 Robin.

Ring Ouzels at Mill Pond, 8th October 2016
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth 

Ring Ouzel at Mill Pond, 8th October 2016
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth 

Stonechat, 8th October 2016.
Photo - Paul Johnson

Stonechat, 8th October 2016.
Photo - Paul Johnson

October 7th.
 Around, including birds trapped, were 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, a Hen Harrier, a Marsh Harrier, a Merlin, a male Scaup, 11 Pintail, 180 Brent Goose, 2 Water Rail, a Mediterranean Gull, 5 Sandwich Tern, a Greenshank, 6 Ruff, 6 Ring Ouzel, 2 Wheatear, 2 Stonechat, a Pied Flycatcher, 15 Brambling and 2 Siskin. In off the sea came a Woodcock. Going south were 120 Pink-footed Goose, 3 Redpoll, 2 Siskin and 2 Yellow Wagtail.
 A long ringing session in East Dunes, with Kevin Hemsley, Mick Pearson and Duncan Hooton, provided 105 new birds: a Chiffchaff, 20 Goldcrest, 2 Wren, a Long-tailed Tit, 18 Robin, 13 Reed Bunting, 9 Goldfinch, a Chaffinch, 7 Blackcap, 3 Dunnock, 6 Redwing, 14 Song Thrush, 8 Blackbird, a Ring Ouzel and a Sparrowhawk; 24 retraps: 6 Robin, 2 Dunnock, 2 Song Thrush, a Blackbird, a Blackcap, 4 Goldcrest, 2 Wren, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and 5 Long-tailed Tit; and a control Robin with a HELGOLAND GERMANIA ring.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent provided 121 new birds: 50 Goldcrest, 16 Robin, 16 Goldfinch,7 Blackcap, 7 Greenfinch, 6 Chaffinch, 5 Great Tit, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Blue Tit, 3 Song Thrush, 2 Blackbird, a Wren, a Woodcock and a Green Woodpecker; and 22 retraps: 5 Goldcrest, 5 Great Tit, 3 Robin, 3 Dunnock, 2 Blue Tit, a Wren, a Chaffinch, a Goldfinch and a Greenfinch.

Ring Ouzel, ringed 7th October 2016.

Photo - George Gregory

Green Woodpecker, ringed 7th October 2016.
Photo - David Vincent

Woodcock, ringed 7th October 2016.
Photo - David Vincent

October 6th. Fresh easterly wind.
 Birds around, including those trapped, were 6 Yellow-browed Warbler, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Ring Ouzel, 10 Spotted Redshank, a Kingfisher, 13 Pintail, 162 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Greenshank, a Merlin, 10 Rook, 3 Brambling, a Grey Wagtail, a White Wagtail and 9 Chiffchaff. Heading south were 3 Brambling.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, produced 115 new birds: 35 Goldcrest, 4 Chiffchaff, a Wren, 8 Blackcap, 22 Robin, 2 Chaffinch, 11 Goldfinch, a Meadow Pipit, a Reed Bunting, 11 Redwing, 18 Song Thrush and a Blackbird; 9 retraps: a Blackcap, a Goldcrest, a Yellow-browed Warbler, 3 Robin, a Chaffinch, a Great Tit and a Song Thrush; and a control Robin with a ZOOL MUSEUM DENMARK ring.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent produced 68 new birds: 23 Goldcrest, 15 Robin, 7 Song Thrush, 5 Redwing, 4 Blackcap, 3 Chaffinch, 3 Goldfinch, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Blackbird, a Chiffchaff and a Wren; and 4 retraps: 2 Chaffinch and 2 Great Tit.

October 5th. Fresh easterly wind.
 Around, including birds trapped, were 7 Yellow-browed Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, a Pied Flycatcher, 4 Stonechat, 50 Robin, 15 Ring Ouzel, a Fieldfare, 80 Song Thrush, 40 Blackbird, a Wheatear, a Brambling, a Green Woodpecker, a Kingfisher, 2 Jack Snipe, 10 Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 6 Ruff, 2 Pintail and 50+ Brent Goose. Flying south were 40 Gannet, 3 Eider, a Great Skua and a Grey Wagtail; and north 19 Gannet and an Arctic Skua.
 A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 43 new birds: a Wren, 7 Goldcrest, a Yellow-browed Warbler, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 15 Robin, 5 Blackcap, 4 Goldfinch, 5 Song Thrush, a Blackbird and a Kingfisher; and 6 retraps: a Robin, 2 Wren, a Dunnock and 2 Long-tailed Tit.

Yellow-browed Warbler, ringed 5th October 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Kingfisher performing head-turning defensive display, ringed 5th October 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Stonechats, 5th October 2016.

Photo - Ben Ward

Spotted Redshank, 5th October 2016.

Photo - Ben Ward

Lesser Redpoll, 5th October 2016.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

October 4th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 6 Yellow-browed Warbler, a Marsh Harrier, 50 Brent Goose, 6 Pintail, 69 Shoveler, a Merlin, 34 Stock Dove, a Greenshank, 9 Spotted Redshank, 3 Woodcock, 3 Water Rail, 2 Ring Ouzel, 50 Song Thrush, a Redstart, 2 Wheatear, a Stonechat and 2 Willow Warbler. Flying west were 70 Pink-footed Goose; north a Sooty Shearwater; and south 14 Pink-footed Goose and 2 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 21 new birds: 6 Goldcrest, 3 Wren, 2 Robin, 2 Blackcap, a Redstart, 5 Song Thrush, a Redwing and a Blackbird; and 3 retraps: singles of Robin, Wren and Dunnock.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent provided 15 new birds: 9 Goldcrest, 2 Wren, 2 Great Tit and 2 Robin; and 5 retraps 4 Goldcrest and a Dunnock.

Redstart, ringed 4th October 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Song Thrush, 4th October 2016.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

October 3rd. Damp, misty start.
 At least 17 Yellow-browed Warbler were on site today, even with two sites that held birds yesterday not checked. Fewer birds were on the east side of the reserve (although one new bird was trapped and ringed there) with more accumulating around Sykes Farm and the Plantation during the day, resulting in a total of 6 there by late afternoon, with a further 4 along Road Edge Sycamores. The day total included 2 at Boundary Sycamores. Also around were a Peregrine, a Water Rail, 4 Greenshank, 4 Ring Ouzel, 56 Redwing, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 16 Chiffchaff, a Reed Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warbler, 25 Goldcrest, 5 Brambling and 2 Siskin. Going south were a Lapland Bunting, a Grey Wagtail, a Rook, 22 Tree Sparrow and a Brambling; and north-east 2 Whooper Swan.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 31 new birds: a Goldcrest, 3 Wren, a Chiffchaff, a Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Robin, 7 Goldfinch, 2 Blackcap, 3 Reed Bunting, 2 Tree Sparrow, a Meadow Pipit, a Dunnock, 2 Redwing, 4 Song Thrush and a Blackbird; and 3 retraps: a Song Thrush, a Wren and a Dunnock.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent resulted in 31 new birds: 8 Goldfinch, 5 Chaffinch, 4 Goldcrest, 3 Wren, 2 Brambling, 2 Blackbird and singles of Willow Warbler, Robin, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Tree Sparrow, Song Thrush and Redwing; and 14 retraps: 3 Dunnock, 2 Wren, 2 Robin, 2 Blue Tit and singles of Goldcrest, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Great Tit and Yellowhammer.


Tree Sparrow, ringed 3rd October 2016.
Photo - David Vincent.

Yellow-browed Warbler, ringed 3rd October 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Brambling, ringed 3rd October 2016.

Photo - GeorgeGregory

October 2nd.
There was a major arrival of Yellow-browed Warbler, with 24 present on the Reserve, at many different sites, with 6 trapped and ringed in East Dunes. The previous highest daily count was 10. Other birds around, including those trapped, were a Spoonbill, a Willow Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Garden Warbler, 40 Goldcrest, a Brambling, a Wheatear, 2 Stonechat, 4 Ring Ouzel, 60 Redwing, a Peregrine, 2 Merlin, 35 Pink-footed Goose, a Curlew Sandpiper and a Greenshank. Heading south were 2 Lapland Bunting, 20 Brambling, 20 Rock Pipit, a Pomarine Skua, a Sooty Shearwater, a Puffin, 55 Pink-footed Goose; and north 3 Long-tailed Skua, 14 Great Skua, 8 Arctic Skua, 35 Sooty Shearwater and 5 Manx Shearwater.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 64 new birds: 6 Yellow-browed Warbler, 3 Wren, 11 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, 7 Robin, a Brambling, 8 Blackcap, a Garden Warbler, 4 Reed Bunting, a Chaffinch, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Great Tit, a Goldfinch, 9 Song Thrush, 3 Redwing and 5 Blackbird; 4 retraps: a Robin, 2 Dunnock and a Wren; and a control Kestrel. The Lesser Whitethroat was quite brownish on the back. The Kestrel bore a Museum Sciences Brussels 1000 ring.

Yellow-browed Warbler, ringed 2nd October 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Belgian-ringed Kestrel, controlled 2nd October 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Lesser Whitethroat, ringed 2nd October 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

October 1st. Around were 3 Spoonbill, a Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Greenshank, a Spotted Redshank, 9 Ruff, 30000 Knot, 4000 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3500 Oystercatcher, 5000 Dunlin, 800 Sanderling, 2 Water Rail, a Kingfisher, 3 Whinchat and a Stonechat. Flying south were 4 Whooper Swan, a Marsh Harrier, 94 Reed Bunting, 220 Meadow Pipit, 200 Goldfinch, 210 Goldfinch, 4 Rock Pipit, 6 Grey Wagtail, 74 Tree Sparrow and a Swallow; north a Manx Shearwater; and north-west 38 Pink-footed Goose.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Sam Edwards, provided 46 new birds: 4 Wren, 15 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Robin, 4 Reed Bunting, 6 Blackcap, 3 Great Tit, a Chaffinch, 8 Dunnock and a Blackbird; and 4 retraps: a Robin, 2 Wren and a Dunnock.

Late September 2016

September 30th. Birds around, including those trapped, were a ringtail Hen Harrier, 2 Marsh Harrier, 55 Brent Goose, 7 Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 150 Black-tailed Godwit, a Ruff, 3 Water Rail, a Kingfisher, 9 Goldcrest, 15 Chiffchaff, a Reed Warbler, a Whitethroat, 3 Stonechat and 2 Whinchat. Going south were 700 Meadow Pipit, 890 Linnet, 510 Goldfinch, 385 Reed Bunting, 95 House Martin, 60 Swallow, 40 Chaffinch, 42 Siskin, 7 House Sparrow and 35 Tree Sparrow; and south-east 300 Pink-footed Goose.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 36 new birds: 4 Wren, 6 Goldcrest, 9 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, a Linnet, a Reed Warbler, a Whitethroat, a Chaffinch, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Robin and 6 Dunnock; and 6 retraps: a Robin, 3 Dunnock, a Wren and a Blackcap.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling yielded 15 new birds: a Goldcrest, 2 Wren, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Robin, a Blue Tit, a Blackcap, 5 Dunnock and a Kestrel; and 7 retraps: a Long-tailed Tit, 5 Dunnock and a Great Tit.

Adult Whitethroat, ringed 30th September 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

September 29th.  Moderately strong south-east wind, slowly decreasing; some brief, light early morning rain.
 Around were 45 Brent Goose, 2 Spotted Redshank, 3 Ruff and 4 Greenshank. Heading south were 54 Red-throated Diver, 45 Sandwich Tern, 104 Gannet, 7 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Scaup, a Razorbill, a Guillemot, a Mediterranean Gull, 5900 Swallow, 18 Sand Martin, 2780 House Martin, 1390 Meadow Pipit, 4 Rock Pipit, 11 Grey Wagtail, 38 Alba Wagtail, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 850 Linnet, 200 Goldfinch and a Siskin.

September 28th. Birds around included 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, a Marsh Harrier, 17 Pintail, 5 Spotted Redshank, 7 Greenshank, 173 Black-tailed Godwit, 15 Snipe, 22 Ruff, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Water Rail, 38 Little Grebe, 2 Kingfisher, a Green Woodpecker and a Wheatear. Flying south were a Great Northern Diver, 3 Swallow, 17 Sand Martin, 2 Grey Wagtail, a Siskin and 4 Tree Sparrow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 4 new birds: 2 Wren, a Blackcap and a Reed Bunting; and 3 retraps: a Wren and 2 Robin.

September 27th. Fresh south-westerly wind.
 Around, including birds trapped, were 12 Pintail, 5 Spotted Redshank, 6 Greenshank, 4 Ruff, 6 Snipe, 149 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Water Rail, a Green Woodpecker, a Kingfisher, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Chiffchaff and 12 Goldcrest. Highlights going south were a Manx Shearwater, 10 Arctic Skua, a Great Skua, a Black-throated Diver and 23 Red-throated Diver. Otherwise there was routine passage overhead and offshore.
 A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 9 new birds: 6 Goldcrest, a Robin and 2 Blackcap; and 5 retraps: singles of Robin, Wren, Blackcap, Goldcrest and Blackbird.

September 26th. Birds around included 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 45 Brent Goose, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Peregrine, a Curlew Sandpiper, 4 Greenshank, 2 Spotted Redshank, 13 Ruff, 11 Snipe, 2 Jack Snipe, 155 Black-tailed Godwit, a Water Rail, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Whinchat and 7 Stonechat. Heading south were a Richard's Pipit, a Pomarine Skua, 16 Arctic Skua, a Grey Heron, 2 Goosander, a Red-breasted Merganser, 80 Reed Bunting, 800 Meadow Pipit, 350 House Martin, 120 Swallow, 2 Grey Wagtail, 200 Linnet and 20 Siskin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 54 new birds: 7 Wren, 19 Goldcrest, 12 Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 4 Robin, 2 Reed Bunting, a Linnet, a Chaffinch, a Meadow Pipit, a Dunnock and a Song Thrush; and 6 retraps: 3 Dunnock and 3 Long-tailed Tit.

Vestal, 26th September 2016.

Photo - Kevin Wilson

September 25th. Gradually decreasing south-westerly wind; some brief, light early morning rain.
 Around were 6 Spoonbill, 9 Spotted Redshank, 14 Ruff, 3 Greenshank, 350 Golden Plover, 6 Snipe, 20 Pintail, 150 Wigeon, a Kingfisher, a singing Cetti's Warbler and a Yellow Wagtail. South at sea went a Grey Phalarope, 2 Black Tern and 20 Arctic Skua.
 A delayed morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 16 new birds: a Wren, 2 Goldcrest, 5 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, a Linnet, a Dunnock and a Woodpigeon; and 2 retraps: a Linnet and a Dunnock.

Common Sandpiper, 25th September 2016.

Photo - Philip Millns

Spotted Redshanks, 25th September 2016.

Photo - Philip Millns

Migrant Hawker, 25th September 2016.
Photo - Rob Watson

September 24th.  Moderately strong south-south-westerly wind.
 Birds around, including those trapped, were a Yellow-browed Warbler, 4 Spoonbill, 5+ Spotted Redshank, 4 Greenshank, 2 Snipe, 9 Ruff and a Kingfisher. Flying south were a juvenile Pomarine Skua, a Sooty Shearwater, 43 Arctic Skua, 105 Gannet, 198 Sandwich Tern, a Yellow-legged Gull, a Marsh Harrier, 5 Grey Wagtail, 65 Swallow and 40 Meadow Pipit.
 A brief, wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 7 new birds: 2 Goldcrest, 2 Blackcap, a Blue Tit and 2 Dunnock; and 3 retraps: singles of Blue Tit, Kingfisher and Dunnock.

Synchronised preening, 24th September 2016.

Photo - Philip Millns

Kingfisher, retrapped 24th September 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

September 23rd. Around were 6 Yellow-browed Warbler, 6 Spoonbill, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 5 Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank, a Kingfisher, a Common Buzzard, a Pied Flycatcher, 20 Chiffchaff and 3 Whinchat. Going south were 2 Common Buzzard, 2 Tree Pipit, 260 Meadow Pipit, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail, 11 Siskin, 2 House Martin and 45 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 16 new birds: 2 Wren, a Goldcrest, a Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, a Great Tit, 4 Blackcap, 2 Robin and 4 Dunnock; and 4 retraps: singles of Dunnock, Robin, Whitethroat and Wren.

Whinchat, 23rd September 2016.

Photo - Philip Millns

Stonechat, 23rd September 2016.

Photo - Philip Millns

September 22nd. Birds around included 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 4 Spoonbill, a Hobby, a Merlin, 40000 Knot, 2000 Grey Plover, 5500 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpiper, 21 Ruff, a Snipe, 5 Whinchat and 4 Stonechat. Heading south were a Great Northern Diver, a Long-tailed Duck, a Great Skua, 4 Arctic Skua, a Whimbrel, 24 Brent Goose, 65 Sandwich Tern, 700 Meadow Pipit, 4 Rock Pipit, 560 House Martin, 200 Swallow, a Sand Martin, 32 Linnet, 13 Siskin, 16 Alba Wagtail, 9 Grey Wagtail, 410 Wigeon and 9 Pintail; and north 17 Brent Goose
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, provided 8 new birds: a Wren, 3 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, a Robin, a Blackcap and a Dunnock; and 4 retraps: 2 Dunnock, a Blackbird and a Wren.

Curlew Sandpiper, 22nd September 2016.

Curlew Sandpiper, 22nd September 2016.

Snipe, 22nd September 2016.

September 21st. Around were a Yellow-browed Warbler, 4 Spoonbill, a Peregrine, 2 Greenshank, 15 Ruff, 5 Whinchat, 2 Stonechat and a Lapland Bunting. Flying south were a Hawfinch, a Lapland Bunting and 7 Swallow; and north-west 29 Pink-footed Goose.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 18 new birds: 2 Wren, a Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, 3 Robin, a Chaffinch, 3 Blackcap, 6 Dunnock and a Woodpigeon; and 8 retraps: 2 Wren, a Blackbird, a Dunnock, a Robin, a Blue Tit and 2 Great Tit.