Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory Blog

Early October 2026

October 9th. Mostly cloudy, with quite strong westerly wind.

Sea-watching was productive with 2 Pomarine Skuas, 2 Arctic Skuas, a constant light movement of Red-throated Divers, Gannets and Auks heading south, with several parties of Common Scoter passing north. Most unexpected was an immature Surf Scoter that headed south alone not far out.

The ever changing view of Greenshanks Creek, Early October 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Greenshanks Creek as seen form the look out platform at the end of the sleeper track.
Early October, Photo - David Nutt

Greenshanks Creek, getting closer to the shorebird sanctuary by each tide.
Early October, Photo - David Nutt

The River at low tide, Early October 2026
Photo - David Nutt

October 8th. Mostly clear, with fresh north-westerly wind.

Another moderate arrival of Redwing, Song Thrush and Brambling etc this morning, with continued passage of Finches, Pipits and Larks. Another Lapland Bunting passed south as did 3 Jays. A Hawfinch flew from West Dunes to East Dunes, where it was trapped and ringed; later it appeared at Sykes Farm.

Offshore, highlights were 1 Barnacle Goose (In of the sea at 17.27), a 38 Gannet, 1 Mediterranean Gull (Adult winter South), Pomarine Skua, 3 Arctic Skua, 2 Great Skua and 54 Red-throated Divers. Other birds around included 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Swallow, 4 Stonechats (Fresh Water Marsh fence line), 1 Cetti's Warbler (Mill Hill), 4 Tree Sparrow, 150 Linnet, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Snipe, 1 Grey Wagtail and 3 Siskin.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 29 new birds: a Goldcrest, a Robin, a Reed Bunting, 3 Blue Tit, 14 Song Thrush, 6 Redwing, a Blackbird, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Hawfinch; and 3 retraps: a Song Thrush, a Goldcrest and a Wren.

Hawfinch in a Hawthorn after being ringed, 8th October 2026
Photo - Nige Lound

Stonechat, 8th October 2026
Photo - Ste Taylor

Siskin, 8th October 2026
Photo - Ste Taylor

Song Thrush, 8th October 2026
Photo - Ste Taylor

Reed Bunting, 8th October 2026
Photo - Jack Hood

Kestrel, 8th October 2026
Photo - Jack Hood

Redwing, ringed 8th October 2026.
Photo - George Gregory

Hawfinch, ringed 8th October 2026.
Photo - George Gregory

October 7th. Cloudy, rain until mid afternoon, with quite strong north-westerly wind.

There was no recording until the rain ceased around 4pm. At that time, around 70 newly arrived Redwings dropped into the Plantation with several Song Thrush and Brambling. Small flocks of thrushes were then coming in off the sea mostly at high level and were heard in the low clouds rather than seen. Some stragglers were seen arriving or trying to arrive very low over the waves, with one Blackbird seen ditching into the sea a matter of 100 metres from the shore while a Song Thrush also ditched at a similar distance, was able to take off from the water when pursued by a Great Black-backed Gull, but the Gull was able to force it back into the sea before consuming it. Tragic endings after long flights across the North Sea.

More routine sightings offshore were several Gannets, Auks and Red-throated Divers, with the highlights being a Velvet Scoter, 2 Manx Shearwater and 2 Arctic Skua, 60 Whooper Swans arrived and a Lapland Bunting flew south.

October 6th. Cloudy, then a bit foggy, then partly cloudy, with light south-westerly then easterly wind.

This morning's migration watch between 0720 and 0820hrs produced a good variety of birds but nothing in big numbers. A few new Goldcrests and Robins were in the scrub with some new Stonechats on the Freshwater Marsh but coverage was limited this morning. Around were about 30 Pink-footed Geese (heard in or above clouds). An evening session largely focused on counting waders on the dropping tide. Good numbers of Redshank and Ringed Plover were recorded, there were several rafts of Auks floating offshore and over 10,000 Gulls came in to roost. A late Wheatear was around the East Dunes.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 21 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Wren, a Goldcrest, 11 Reed Bunting, a Blackcap, 3 Blue Tit, a Great Tit and 2 Dunnock; and a retrap Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Gannets offshore heading south, 6th October 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Gannet fishing offshore, 6th October 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Another Gannet fishing offshore, 6th October 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Grey Plover on Fenland Lagoon, 6th October 2026
Photo - Jack Hood

Wheatear, 6th October 2026
Photo - Ste Taylor

Stonechats on the Freshwater Marsh fence line, 6th October 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Meadow Pipit on the river bank, 6th October 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Reed Bunting, 6th October 2026
Photo - David Nutt

October 5th. Partly cloudy, with increasing south-westerly wind.

A fairly typical early October day for overland migration and birds at sea with the respective highlights being another Lapland Bunting moving south with the first Yellowhammer of the autumn and a passage of Black-headed Gulls with a few Terns.

Around were a Marsh Harrier, 4 Jay, 2 Kingfisher (1 ringed) and 3 Sparrowhawk (1 re-trapped).

A wind-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 4 new birds: a Wren, a Blue Tit, a Song Thrush and a Kingfisher; and 2 retraps: a Song Thrush and a Sparrowhawk.

Ringing Recovery: Blackbird, ringed GPBO 26 October 2025, found dead Batvikvagen, More og Romsdal, Norway 27 September 2026. This bird had been trapped in netting used to protect vegetables.

Bar-tailed Godwit, 5th October 2026
Photo - Jack Hood

Young Kingfisher, ringed 5th October 2026.
Photo - George Gregory

Adult female Sparrowhawk, re-trapped 5th October 2026.
Photo- George Gregory

October 4th. Foggy start, clearing, then partly cloudy, with light south-westerly wind.

Thick fog was sustained through the early morning period scuppering any attempt at meaningful recording. Some Passerines were logged migrating in the gloom along with 80 Pink-footed Geese flying east. When clear conditions resumed, 2 Glossy Ibis were seen heading south.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 20 new birds: a Wren, 3 Chiffchaff, a Goldcrest, a Chaffinch, 9 Reed Bunting, 2 Robin and 3 Song Thrush; and 2 retraps: a Wren and a Blue Tit.

A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Dave Vincent provided 12 new birds: 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 3 Blue Tit, a Robin and a Blackbird; and 11 retraps: a Song Thrush, 2 Great Tit, 4 Long-tailed Tit and 4 Blue Tit.

More details of the recent Eastern Bonelli's Warbler can be found here: https://www.grahamcatley.com/blog-1/eastern-bonellis-warbler-at-gibraltar-point

Red Kite, October 2026
Photo - Ste Taylor

Brambling, October 2026
Photo - Ste Taylor

One of many recent Jays, October 2025
Photo - Ste Taylor

October 3rd. Partly cloudy, with light south-westerly wind eventually shifting to south-easterly.

Flying north-west were 70 Pink-footed Geese; and south-east 12 Pink-footed Geese. Another decent movement of Finches, Pipits, Reed Buntings, Skylarks and Swallows with most of the Swallows over the sea this morning. Small numbers of both Tree and House Sparrows were involved in the movement with several more Jays and another Lapland Bunting.

More wildfowl were arriving over the sea, mainly Wigeon and Teal with a few Pintail and Shoveler. A feeding flock held 30 each of Common and Sandwich Tern with a single Little Gull.

Some new migrants were apparent from early afternoon with an increase of Chiffchaff , Blackcap and Song Thrush, a new Yellow-browed Warbler at Mill Hill and a Red-breasted Flycatcher in private gardens. More significant was a minimum count of 43 Stonechats - with 13 around the Freshwater Marsh and many along the outer ridges.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 20 new birds: 3 Chiffchaff, a Wren, a Chaffinch, 3 Reed Bunting, a Robin, 2 Blue Tit, 3 Blackcap, 2 Blackbird, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Sparrowhawk; and 5 retraps: a Song Thrush, 2 Robin, a Dunnock and a Chaffinch. So far this year 18 new Great Spotted Woodpeckers have been ringed here (the record is 23 in a year some time ago).

Young male Sparrowhawk, ringed 3 October 2026.
Photo - George Gregory

Male Migrant Hawker Dragonfly, 3rd October 2026
Photo - Jack Hood

October 2nd. Partly cloudy, with increasing south-westerly wind.

There was no sign of the Eastern Bonelli's Warbler this morning but 2 or 3 Yellow-browed Warblers remained around Sykes Farm. Visible migration was somewhat reduced on yesterday's figures but there was still plenty of action including a high proportion of Reed Buntings moving with the Pipits, Larks and Finches. It was quiet offshore with the highlight being a Manx Shearwater. A good day for raptors with a Hobby, a Peregrine, 2 Merlin, a Red Kite and 4 Marsh Harriers. Swallows moved through in small groups with a few House Martins all day with a single Sand Martin.

A Clouded Yellow was in the West Dunes.

A wind-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Rachael Hustler, resulted in 4 new birds: a Chiffchaff, 2 Robin and a Reed Bunting

Black-tailed Godwit being apparently chased by a Teal? 2nd October 2026
Photo - Jack Hood

Marsh Harrier, 2nd October 2026
Photo - Jack Hood

October 1st. Partly cloudy, with light to moderate south-westerly wind.

The Eastern Bonelli's Warbler was still present, though elusive in the morning, it showed occasionally well during the afternoon at Sykes Farm but still difficult to see with the throngs of Chiffchaffs distracting continuously. At least 300 travelling birders turned up to see the rarity through the day with up to 80 present at any one time. Around were 4 Yellow-browed Warblers, 22 Jays (including 3 trapped and ringed) and 2 Green Woodpeckers (including 1 re-trapped).

Visible migration was very good between 0700 and 1000hrs with hundreds of birds moving, including 350+ Chaffinch, Meadow Pipist, Rock Pipits, Reed Buntings, Linnets and Skylarks with some House Martins, Swallows, Grey Wagtails, Alba Wagtails, Siskin, Brambling, 3 Marsh Harrier, 2 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel and the first two Lapland Buntings of the Autumn.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Rachael Hustler, provided 28 new birds: 3 Chiffchaff, a Wren, a Cetti's Warbler, 8 Robin, a Blackcap, 3 Reed Bunting, a Goldfinch, 3 Blue Tit, 3 Song Thrush, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and 3 Jay; and 4 retraps: a Dunnock, a Song Thrush, a Wren and a Green Woodpecker.

A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Dave Vincent provided 7 new birds: 2 Robin, a Blackcap and 4 Song Thrush.

Eastern Bonelli's Warbler, 1st October 2026
Photo - Graham Catley

Bonelli's Warbler, 1st October 2026
Photo - Graham Hunt

Yellow-browed Warbler, 1st October 2026.
Photo - Jack Hood

Looking for the Bonelli's Warbler at Sykes Farm, 1st October 2026.
Photo - George Gregory

Green Woodpecker, re-trapped 1st October 2026.
Photo - George Gregory

Jay, ringed 1st October 2026.
Photo - George Gregory

Late September 2026

September 30th. Cloudy, with quite strong then decreasing mostly southerly wind.

The morning commenced with another big wader roost and a sea-watch involving a Pomarine Skua, a Sooty Shearwater, 7 Manx Shearwaters, 7 Arctic Skuas, a Fulmar, good numbers of Gannets and Red-throated Divers, 45 Common Scoter and various other incoming ducks. In the dunes there were several Bramblings and Redwings with a light passage of Meadow Pipits heading south.

A flock of 11 Jays heading south was unusual and followed by a flock of 4. The Great Grey Shrike reappeared in the East Dunes late morning. Two Yellow-browed Warblers were around Sykes Farm in the late afternoon and it was while watching these, that a Bonelli's Warbler was located but mostly very difficult to obtain views.

Other birds around included 1 Spotted Redshank (Tennyson's Sands first thing), 240 Redshank, 1 Snipe, 2 Marsh Harrier, 11 Redwing, 3 Brambling and 2 Wheatear.

Bonelli's Warbler, 30th September 2026.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Yellow-browed Warbler, 30th September 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Chiffchaff, 30th September 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Bar-tailed Godwit on the river, 30th September 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

September 29th. Generally cloudy, with increasing south-easterly wind.

Today's highlights included over 100,000 waders in the roost, a Leach's Petrel south, a Black Tern, 7 Arctic Skua and 3 Manx Shearwaters north offshore, Yellow-browed Warbler in the West Dunes and another at the Wash Viewpoint and an arrival of Bramblings and Redwings.

A Great Grey Shrike was found along the Storm Ridge east of the Visitor Centre early afternoon and viewed from the platform by the Bird Observatory. Also recorded today were 21 Pied Wagtails, 16 Brambling, 12 Redwing, 50 Linnet, a Pied Flycatcher, 2 Redstart, a Peregrine and a Hen Harrier.

A wind-restricted morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided a new Great Tit; and 3 retraps: a Great Tit, a Long-tailed Tit and a Wren.

Great Grey Shrike, 29th September 2026
Photo - Matt Heaver

Row upon row of waders on the high tide out from Mill Hill, 29th September 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Waders waiting on the tide turning, 29th September 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Greenshanks Creek break in from the south, 29th September 2026
Photo - David Nutt

The Southern end of Greenshanks Creek looking towards the Shorebird Sanctuary
29th September 2026, Photo - David Nutt

Looking North from the Southern End of Greenshanks Creek
29th September 2026, Photo - David Nutt

September 28th. Partly cloudy, with light south-westerly then easterly wind.

Sea-watching resulted in 87 Wigeon, 4 Pintail, 434 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck, 9 Common Scoter, 2 Arctic Skua, 4 Auk Species, 10 Red-throated Diver heading South, whilst heading North were 65 Gannet and 1 Grey Heron. On the beach were 16 Great Black-backed Gulls, a 1st Calendar year Mediterranean Gull, 15 Sandwich Terns, 41 Cormorants and 1 Peregrine, and a further 180 Teal were on Greenshank's Creek.

On the water bodies around the reserve were 187 Pink-footed Geese, 22 Shoveler, 9 Wigeon, 220 Teal, 200 Black-tailed Godwit and 12 Greenshank, whilst over Croftmarsh were a Marsh Harrier, 5 Buzzard and a Red Kite. A Yellow-browed Warbler was found at Shovelers Pool.

Also about were 5 Grey Herons (West at 9.20am), 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Peregrine, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Jay and 1 Stonechat (Visitor Centre). Highlight on the butterfly front was a Clouded Yellow.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 20 new birds: a Wren, 9 Long-tailed Tit, a Robin, a Reed Bunting, a Blackcap, 4 Blue Tit, a Dunnock, a Song Thrush and a Great Spotted Woodpecker; and 7 retraps: a Wren, a Blue Tit, 2 Robin and 3 Long-tailed Tit.

Tennyson's Sands at Dawn - Pink-footed Geese City.
28th September 2026, Photo - Nige Lound

1st Calendar Year Mediterranean Gull, 28th September 2026
Photo - Nige Lound

Waders on the hightide - flushed again by a jogger, 28th September 2026
Photo - Nige Lound

Clouded Yellow Butterfly, 28th September 2026
Photo - Nige Lound
September 27th. Cloudy, with increasing south-easterly to southerly wind.

Flying north-west were 240 Pink-footed Geese. Around were 3 Jays, a Pied Flycatcher (trapped and ringed at Aylmer Avenue) and a Grey Wagtail.

Sea-watching resulted in 510 Pink-footed Geese, 5 Arctic Skua and 107 Gannet heading North, whilst heading South were 12 Shoveler, 111 Wigeon, 1 Pintail, 178 Teal, 81 Common Scoter, 1 Goosander, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 28 Sandwich Tern, 1 Common Tern, 3 Arctic Skua, 5 Auk species, 12 Red-throated Diver and 2 Manx Shearwater.

Waders on the high tide viewing included 10,000 Oystercatcher, 2000 Grey Plover, 83 Ringed Plover, 51 Curlew, 6000 Bar-tailed Godwit, 50,000 Knot, 600 Sanderling and 2000 Dunlin. On the beach were 9 Turnstone.

Also around the reserve were 1 Buzzard, 1 Tawny Owl, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Jay, 19 Swallow (South), 3 Stonechat, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Rock Pipit (South) and 173 Linnet (South).

A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 4 new birds: a Reed Bunting, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Blackcap and a Great Spotted Woodpecker; and 16 retraps: a Dunnock, a Robin, a Blue Tit, 10 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Great Tit and a Reed Bunting.

A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Dave Vincent yielded 14 new birds: 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 3 Blackcap, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Great Tit, 5 Blue Tit and a Robin; and 8 retraps: 5 Long-tailed Tit, a Blackcap, a Blue Tit and a Great Tit.

Greenshanks Creek Southern end looking North towards the old wartime defences
27th September 2026, Photo - David Nutt

Low tide out on the beach, 27th September 2026
Photo - David Nutt

September 26th. Mostly clear, with light south-westerly wind.

On the sea were 37 Gannet, 15 Sandwich Tern, 2 Auk species, 2 Red-throated Diver, whilst heading south were 70 Teal and 17 Wigeon. Flying North-west out of the New Saltmarsh roost were 300 Pink-footed Geese.

The high tide roost produced 8000 Oystercatcher, 2000 Grey Plover, 2000 Bar-tailed Godwit, 30,000 Knot, 550 Dunlin, 450 Sanderling 30 Ringed Plover, 1 Spotted Redshank and 1 Greenshank.

Also around were 5 Stonechat, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Green Woodpecker and 3 Buzzard,

A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 5 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Great Tit, a Reed Bunting, a Dunnock and a Song Thrush; and 4 retraps: a Great Tit, a Robin, a Dunnock and a Reed Bunting.

Low tide out on the beach, 26th September 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Low tide out from the dunes, 26th September 2026
Photo - David Nutt

More erosion around Greenshanks Creek after the last high tide, 26th September 2026
Photo - David Nutt

September 25th. Mostly clear, with light southerly wind.

It was a good morning for covering the census area and counting common birds such as Robins which have clearly been increasing over the last week. Not so much attention paid to visible migration this morning that in any event, seemed lighter than recent days, but with more Reed Buntings and Skylarks in the mix. The first Yellow-browed Warbler of autumn was around the west side.

On the sea were 6 Eider and 2 Gannet. 300 Pink-footed Geese left the New Saltmarsh roost early morning. On the water bodies were 3 Snipe, 1 Spotted Redshank and 5 Greenshank. 3 Grey Heron cam in off the sea, Also around were 4 Marsh Harrier, 4 Buzzard, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Stonechats were new arrivals, 12 Chiffchaff and 2 Blackcap. A Clouded Yellow Butterfly was in the East Dunes during the warm afternoon sunshine. On the Tennyson's Sands were 3 Spotted Redshank and 4 Greenshank.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 5 new birds: a Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, a Reed Bunting and a Blue Tit; and 2 retraps: a Great Tit and a Wren.

Clouded Yellow Butterfly in the East Dunes, 25th September 2026
Photo - Vicki Bush

September 24th. Cloudy start, clearing somewhat, with light southerly to south-easterly wind.

Flying north-west out of New Saltmarsh roost were 325 Pink-footed Geese. Around were a Wheatear (on Old Saltmarsh), 2 Jays (including 1 trapped and ringed) and several Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps. Visible migration largely involved Meadow Pipits heading south from early morning. Kingfishers were along the River and Greenshank's Creek and a Spotted Redshank was on the River. It was still busy offshore with Gannets, Red-throated Divers, Arctic Skuas and Wigeon moving - the highlights were a Puffin, a Long-tailed Skua, a Manx Shearwater, 5 Little Gull and a Fulmar.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 12 new birds: 2 Chiffchaff, 6 Reed Bunting, a Blue Tit, a Goldfinch, a Dunnock and a Jay; and 4 retraps: a Great Tit and 3 Blue Tit.

Bar-tailed Godwit, 24th September 2026
Photo - Jack Hood

Greenshank, 24th September 2026
Photo - Jack Hood

Ringed Plover, 24th September 2026
Photo - Jack Hood

Jay, ringed 24 September 20926.
Photo - George Gregory

September 23rd. Cloudy, with increasing south-westerly then northerly wind and occasional light rain.

Flying north-west out of the Wash early morning were 750 Pink-footed Geese. The sea was buzzing with bird activity with c1000 Gulls and Terns in the feeding flock, good numbers of Red-throated Divers, Gannets, Auks and Arctic Skuas heading south with 6 Little Gulls, 3 Manx Shearwaters and a juvenile Long-tailed Skua. A difficult 2.5 hour session trying to keep track of numbers, particularly while pulses of Pipits, Hirundines and Linnets were moving south over the beach and dunes too.

Two Whooper Swans were the first of the autumn and 3 Spotted Redshanks were on Tennyson's Sands

An evening sea-watch was very busy again around the feeding flock and with birds moving south including more Gannets and Red-throated Divers. A juvenile Sabine's Gull (presumably yesterday's bird) was offshore again with 2 juvenile Long-tailed Skuas, and a Black Tern. Heading south were a Great Skua, 7 Manx Shearwaters and 2 Sooty Shearwaters. The Sooty Shearwaters were unusual in that both were extremely close and flying south - pretty much all Sooty Shearwaters off Gibraltar Point are always heading north. They may have been attracted by the feeding flock as were two Manx Shearwaters and up to 6 Arctic Skuas with the 2 Long-tailed Skuas.

A wind-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 2 new birds: a Wren and a Robin; and a retrap Robin.

Pink-footed Geese, 23rd September 2026.
Photo - Jack Hood

Spotted Redshanks, 23rd September 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

September 22nd. Misty start, then partly cloudy, with light south-westerly to south-easterly wind. A late start to the morning watch due to the mist.

Flying north-west early morning were 600 Pink-footed Geese, and south-west 120 Pink-footed Geese.

Hundreds of Gulls and Terns were again involved in a large feeding flock over the sea with the morning highlight being an adult Sabine's Gull, initially close in but then drifting out to sea where it blogged for a while landing on the water occasionally. Other than that, the main theme of the morning was incoming parties of Teal - some 700 had arrived form the north by 0900hrs. Also offshore were 2 Manx Shearwaters, 2 Arctic Skuas, several Red-throated Divers and many Gannets. One of the two ringtail Hen Harriers came out of roost and hunted the outer dunes and beach area early morning. The feeding flock was checked late afternoon in the hope that the morning's adult Sabine's Gull had joined but there was no further sign of it. However, a very smart juvenile Sabine's Gull was a new arrival, showing well before landing on the sea and lost amongst the various other small gulls and terns etc. Also this evening were another Manx Shearwater, 4 Little Gulls, 10 Arctic Skuas, a Fulmar, more Red-throated Divers and Gannets.

Otherwise, little coverage of the dunes today, but a Brambling arrived in the East Dunes in the afternoon - first of autumn.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 24 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Wren, 2 Robin, a Great Tit, a Goldfinch, 16 Blue Tit, a Song Thrush and a Kingfisher; and 2 retraps: a Long-tailed Tit and a Great Tit.

Artic Skua, 22nd September 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Skua on Tern parasitic behaviour, 22nd September 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Kingfisher, ringed 22 September 2026.
Photo - George Gregory

Common Seal sunning itself on the beach, 22nd September 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Common Seal on the beach, 22nd September 2026
Photo - David Nutt

September 21st. Partly cloudy, with light south-westerly wind.

Flying north-west out of the Wash early morning were at least 1800 Pink-footed Geese. A further 500 came over from Norfolk later. This morning's recording effort gave a snapshot of overland migration and sea passage in limited time and in tricky sunny conditions. Although a similar range of species to recent days was involved, the impression was of reduced numbers overall. However, 2 juvenile Hen Harriers hunting the saltmarsh and outer dunes together provided an opportunity to count many flushed Meadow Pipits and Skylarks! Along the dune frontage there was a Short-eared Owl, 2 Stonechats and 2 Wheatears, with another Stonechat at the Visitor Centre. Three Kingfishers today included two together along the River Steeping. Two Jays flew south.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 12 new birds: a Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, 3 Robin, a Blackcap, 2 Reed Bunting, a Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit and a Dunnock; and 2 retraps: a Long-tailed Tit and a Robin.

Kingfisher, 21st September 2026
Photo - Kev Wilson

Kingfishers, 21st September 2026.

Video - Kev Wilson

Short-eared Owl, 21st September 2026.
Photo - Kev Wilson

Short-eared Owl, 21st September 2026.
Video - Kev Wilson
Jay, 21st September 2026.
Photo - Ste Taylor

Goldcrest, ringed 21 September 2026.
Photo - George Gregory