Late November 2015

November 30th. Rain most of day.
 Birds around included 30 Blackbird and 2 Goldcrest.

November 29th. Around were 3 Goldcrest and 45 Blackbird.

November 28th. Birds around included 2 Bean Goose, 300 Pink-footed Goose, 1500 Oystercatcher, 770 Grey Plover, 1200 Dunlin, 550 Sanderling, a Peregrine and a Snow Bunting.

November 27th. Around, including birds trapped, were 2 Water Pipit, a Stonechat, 4 Goldcrest, a Green Woodpecker, 1500 Oystercatcher, 12 Corn Bunting and a Woodcock.

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, with Jenni Godber, produced 4 new birds: 2 Goldcrest and 2 Blackcap; and 3 retraps: singles of Goldcrest, Blackbird and Great Tit.

November 26th. On Tennyson's Sands were a Cetti's Warbler, 2 Water Rail and 2 Avocet, and on the Mere a Pintail. Birds around included a Merlin, a Brambling and 60 Blackbird.

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling resulted in 7 new birds: a Wren, a Blue Tit, 2 Song Thrush and 3 Blackbird; and 14 retraps: 3 Dunnock, 4 Great Tit, 4 Robin, a Blue Tit, a Blackbird and a Wren.

November 25th. Around were a Merlin, a Woodcock, 2 Bullfinch and 5 Brambling. Offshore were a Slavonian Grebe, a Goosander and 10 Red-throated Diver. Heading north were 6 Egyptian Goose, and south 2 Lapland Bunting, a Spotted Redshank, 2 Twite and a Snow Bunting.

November 24th. Soggy start.
 Birds around included 2 White-fronted Goose, a Marsh Harrier, a Merlin, 3+ Woodcock, 17 Corn Bunting, a Goldcrest and 50 Blackbird. On the sea were 3 Slavonian Grebe and a Black-throated Diver. South went a Great Northern Diver.

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 7 new Blackbird; and 5 retraps: singles of Blackbird, Wren, Blue Tit, Robin and Dunnock.

Orb Weaver Sp (Metellina sp), 24th November 2015.
Photo - Sam Wilson

November 23rd. Another freezing start.
 Around were a Spotted Redshank, 2 ringtail Hen Harrier, 2 Marsh Harrier, an Arctic Skua, 350 Brent Goose, a Rook, a Merlin, a Peregrine, 45 Rock Pipit, 15 Siskin, 22 Fieldfare, 7 Redwing, 60 Blackbird and 11 Song Thrush. On Jackson's Marsh were 3 Black-tailed Godwit, and on Tennyson's Sands 160 Pink-footed Goose. In came 48 Pink-footed Goose, 780 Starling and 8 Stock Dove. Flying south were 5 Whooper Swan, 2 Rook, 70 Siskin and 5 Brambling.

November 22nd. Freezing start.
 Birds around included 3 Woodcock, a Jack Snipe, an Arctic Skua, a Merlin, a Peregrine, 8 Fieldfare, 45 Redwing, 5 Song Thrush, 180 Blackbird, a Bullfinch and 4 Goldcrest. Flying south were 2 Little Auk, 14 Eider, 2 Mistle Thrush, 35 Siskin and 2 Brambling, south-west a Tree Sparrow, north 7 Great Skua and 13 Pintail, and inland a Little Auk.

Fox Moth caterpillar, 22nd November 2015.
Photo - Rob Watson

Stranded Starfish, 22nd November 2015.
Photo - Rob watson

Stranded Sunstar, 22nd November 22nd November 2015.
Photo Rob Watson

November 21st. Very strong but decreasing northerly wind with occasional rain, and brief snow later.
 Around were 75 Blackbird, 7 Fieldfare and 15 Pink-footed Goose. A Waxwing, 120 Starling and a Fieldfare came in off the sea. Going south were 16 Pomarine Skua, 13 Great Skua, 5 Little Auk, 4 Whooper Swan, 4 Goosander, 1517 Kittiwake and 22 Gannet, south-east 115 Pink-footed Goose, and north 2 Sooty Shearwater, 6 Little Auk and 4 Great Skua, 110 Teal and 60 Common Scoter. On the sea or offshore were a Slavonian Grebe, an Arctic Skua and a Velvet Scoter. On Tennyson's Sands was a Goosander.

Mid November 2015

November 20th. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Red Kite, a Black-throated Diver, 200 Pink-footed Goose, a Woodcock, a Green Woodpecker, 2 Merlin, a Buzzard, 20 Common Scoter, a Kingfisher and a Chiffchaff. On Tennyson's Sands were a Cetti's Warbler and a Spotted Redshank, and on Jackson's Marsh a Water Pipit. Heading north were 2 Raven, and south 169 Whooper Swan, 8 Snow Bunting, 2 Yellowhammer and a Sparrowhawk. In off the sea came 14 Fieldfare and 3 Woodcock.

 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 3 new birds: a Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff and a Robin; and a retrap Robin.

November 19th. On Tennyson's Sands was a Cetti's Warbler, 2 Avocet and a Spotted Redshank. Also around, including birds trapped, were a Raven, 1300 Pink-footed Goose, a Peregrine, a Merlin, a Green Woodpecker and 5 Goldcrest. A Red Kite, 165 Whooper Swan,1300 Woodpigeon, 11 Stock Dove, a Great Skua and a Red-necked Grebe flew south.

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 6 new birds: 2 Goldcrest, a Redwing and 3 Blackbird; and 7 retraps: 3 Blackbird, 2 Goldcrest, a Long-tailed Tit and a Robin.

November 18th. Increasing south-westerly wind.
 Birds around, including those trapped, were 250 Pink-footed Goose and 3 Goldcrest. Heading south were 23 Whooper Swan, 2 Great Northern Diver and 20 Auk Sp.

 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue yielded 4 new birds: a Goldcrest and 3 Blackbird; and 4 retraps: 2 Goldcrest, a Blackbird and a Robin.

November 17th. Around, including birds trapped, were 1500 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Bullfinch, a Snow Bunting, 2 Water Rail, 2 Avocet, a Spotted Redshank, a Water Pipit and a Chiffchaff. Flying south were 176 Whooper Swan, including 45 from Jackson's Marsh, 250 Chaffinch, 200 Siskin and a House Martin.

 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 4 new birds: 2 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff and a Song Thrush; and 3 retraps: 2 Wren and a Goldcrest.

Southbound Whooper Swans, 17th November 2015
Photo - Nige Lound

November 16th. Moderately strong south-westerly wind.
 Birds around included 600 Pink-footed Goose. This flock was tracked down further inland at Clough House Station, and within it were 2 Tundra Bean Goose and 4 White-fronted Goose. Going south were 200 Whooper Swan and 600 Pink-footed Goose.

 A restricted morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 4 new birds: a Blackcap, a Dunnock and 2 Blackbird; and 4 retraps; 2 Wren, a Goldcrest and a Robin.

November 15th. Strong westerly wind.
 Around were a Chiffchaff, 350 Pink-footed Goose and 150 Brent Goose. A evening roost included 2 Short-eared Owl, 2 Hen Harrier and 2 Merlin. Heading south were 70 Whooper Swan.

 David Steel, the SNH Reserve Manager for the Isle of May has contacted us to say that the juvenile Red-footed Falcon that was present here at Gibraltar Point from 24-30 September was the same bird, on photographic evidence, that was on the Isle of May from 14-19 September.

November 14th. Birds around included 750 Pink-footed Goose, 2 male Hen Harrier, a Long-eared Owl, a Short-eared Owl, 400 Brent Goose, 20000 Knot. Flying south were 2 Bean Goose, 38 Whooper Swan, 6 Brambling and 13 Siskin.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 6 new birds: 2 Goldcrest, 3 Lesser Redpoll and a Redwing; and 6 retraps: a Great Tit, a Blackbird and 4 Goldcrest.

November 13th. Strong south-westerly wind.
 On the reserve were 800 Pink-footed Goose, 2 White-fronted Goose, 1000 Brent Goose, a Peregrine, 2 Merlin, 6000 Golden Plover, 7162 Black-headed Gull, 913 Common Gull, 91 Great Black-backed Gull and an adult winter Mediterranean Gull. Tennyson's Sands produced 5 Avocet, a Spotted Redshank and a Water Rail. Flying south were 7 Bewick's Swan, 71 Whooper Swan, 8 Brambling and 79 Siskin. On The Wash at low tide were 338 Redshank, 8 Ringed Plover, 8 Turnstone, 400 Oystercatcher and 1000 Dunlin. A Chiffchaff was in the Plantation.

November 12th. Around were 800 Pink-footed Goose. On Tennyson's Sands were a Cetti's Warbler and 2 Water Rail, and on Croftmarsh 3 White-fronted Goose. Going south were 30+ Whooper Swan and 8 Stock Dove.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 5 new birds: 3 Goldcrest, a Robin and a Sparrowhawk; and 3 retraps: a Robin and 2 Goldcrest.

Sparrowhawk, ringed 12th November 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

November 11th. Birds around included 765 Pink-footed Goose, 356 Brent Goose, an adult White-fronted Goose, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Merlin, a Green Woodpecker, a Kingfisher and a Chiffchaff. On Tennyson's Sands was a juvenile White-fronted Goose and a Spotted Redshank. Heading south were 6 Whooper Swan, 3650 Woodpigeon, a Swallow, 3 Snow Bunting, 7 Twite, 350 Chaffinch, 75 Brambling and 11 Redpoll.

White-fronted Goose, 11th November 2015.
Photo - Richard Doan

Early November 2015

November 10th. Around were a male Hen Harrier, a Peregrine, a Merlin, a Marsh Harrier, 650 Pink-footed Goose, 1000 Brent Goose, 2750 Golden Plover, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Corn Bunting, a Short-eared Owl and a Fieldfare. Moving south offshore were a Long-tailed Duck, a Velvet Scoter, 2 Scaup and 3 Black-throated Diver. Flying south over the West Dunes were 876 Siskin, 96 Goldfinch, 180 Chaffinch, 32 Brambling, 84 Redpoll, 122 Meadow Pipit, 51 Skylark and 3 late House Martin. Tennyson's Sands held 600 Teal, 4 Pochard, 2 Spotted Redshank, 5 Avocet and 4 Snipe. In the Plantation were 4 Goldcrest and a Bullfinch. A herd of 15 Whooper Swan flew south-east mid-morning.

 A short morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 4 new birds: a Goldcrest and 3 Blackbird; and a retrap Robin.

Corn Bunting, 10th November 2015
Photo - Nige Lound

November 9th. Strong south-westerly wind.
 On Croftmarsh was a Common Crane (briefly), on Tennyson's Sands were 2 Spotted Redshank and 5 Avocet, on the Mere a Goldeneye, and on Fenland Lagoon a Kingfisher. Birds around included a Water Pipit, 3 Hen Harrier, a female Marsh Harrier, a Merlin, a Peregrine, 60 Pink-footed Goose, 52 Brent Goose, 2 Tundra Bean Goose (reported on Birdguides), 3500 Golden Plover, a Jack Snipe, 3 Lapland Bunting and a Goldcrest. Going south were 38 Whooper Swan, 70 Siskin and 2 Brambling.

November 8th. The Pallid Harrier was still present. Also around were 2+ Hen Harrier, a Short-eared Owl, a Merlin, a Buzzard, 120 Pink-footed Goose, 10 Fieldfare, a Blackcap and 2 Stonechat. On the water bodies were 1015 Teal, 4 Pintail, 79 Mallard, 84 Shoveler, a Goldeneye, 8 Avocet, 2 Spotted Redshank, a Water Rail and 2 Black-tailed Godwit. Heading south were 19 Whooper Swan and 62 Siskin.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 4 new birds: 3 Goldcrest and a Wren; and 3 retraps: 2 Goldcrest and a Blackbird.

November 7th. Strong south-westerly wind, with rainy spells in morning.
 The Pallid Harrier reappeared. Other birds around were a male Hen Harrier, a Marsh Harrier, a Merlin, a Peregrine, 350 Pink-footed Goose, a Stonechat and 100 Fieldfare. On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Pintail and a Goldeneye, and on Tennyson's Sands 2 Water Pipit, 2 Water Rail, 3 Avocet and a Spotted Redshank. Flying south were 9 Whooper Swan and a Swallow.

Pallid Harrier, 7th November 2015.
Photo - Russell Hayes

November 6th. The juvenile Pallid Harrier was seen again. Also around were a Short-eared Owl, a male Hen Harrier, a Peregrine, a Merlin, a Buzzard, a Marsh Harrier, 24 Fieldfare, 2 Brambling and 120 Pink-footed Goose. Heading south were 2 Bean Goose and 22 Whooper Swan.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in just 4 new birds: 3 Lesser Redpoll and a Redwing; and no retraps.

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling resulted in 5 new birds: a Wren, a Greenfinch, a Blackbird, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Sparrowhawk; and 5 retraps: 2 Great Tit, a Robin, a Wren and a Long-tailed Tit.

November 5th. Occasional light rain.
 The juvenile Pallid Harrier reappeared several times. Other birds around included a ringtail Hen Harrier, 500 Fieldfare, 40 Redwing and 65 Pink-footed Goose. On Tennyson's Sands was a Cetti's Warbler, 5 Water Rail and 2 Spotted Redshank, on the Mere a Jack Snipe and a Water Rail, and on Fenland Lagoon a Water Pipit.

 A fairly short morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 4 new birds: 3 Goldcrest and a Blackbird; and a retrap Goldcrest.

Water Pipit, 5th November 2015.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Pallid Harrier in mist, 5th November 2015.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Pallid Harrier in mist, 5th November 2015.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

November 4th. Another foggy and soggy start, with rain from mid morning to early afternoon.
 Around were a male Hen Harrier, a Ring Ouzel, 2 Redwing and 350 Brent Goose.

 A short morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 11 new birds: 3 Goldcrest, 7 Long-tailed Tit and a Robin; and 7 retraps: a Wren, a Blue Tit, a Robin and 4 Goldcrest.

November 3rd. On Tennyson's Sands was a Cetti's Warbler, and on Fenland Lagoon a Water Pipit. Birds around included a Firecrest, a male Hen Harrier, a Short-eared Owl, 350 Brent Goose, a Black Redstart and 3 Stonechat. Flying south were 670 Pink-footed Goose, 5 Whooper Swan, 120 Redwing, 110 Fieldfare, 80 Rock Pipit, 193 Siskin and 135 Goldfinch.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 6 new birds: a Wren, 3 Goldcrest and 2 Song Thrush; and 5 retraps: a Dunnock and 4 Goldcrest.

November 2nd. Foggy and soggy all day.
 Around were a male Hen Harrier, a Short-eared Owl, a Black Redstart, a Woodcock, 84 Shoveler, 750 Teal, 60 Blackbird, 60 Fieldfare, 20 Redwing and a Goldcrest. On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Avocet, a Spotted Redshank and a Water Rail, and on the Mere a Water Rail.

 A short morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 3 new birds: a Dunnock and 2 Blackbird; and 2 retraps: singles of Robin and Dunnock.

November 1st. Foggy, soggy start.
 Birds around, including those trapped, were a Great Grey Shrike, 2+ Black Redstart, 2 Stonechat, a Snow Bunting, 350 Pink-footed Goose, a Short-eared Owl, a male Hen Harrier, a Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard, a Woodcock, 2 Ruff and a Blackcap. Flying south were 6 Whooper Swan, 132 Pink-footed Goose and a Swallow.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 14 new birds a Wren, 2 Dunnock, 2 Redwing, 8 Blackbird and a Woodcock; and 6 retraps: a Blackcap, 2 Robin, 2 Goldcrest and a Great Tit.

A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent resulted in 20 new birds and 32 retraps. The new birds were 12 Greenfinch, 2 Wren, 2 Blackbird and singles of Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Brambling and Chaffinch. The retraps were 11 Great Tit, 6 Robin, 4 Dunnock, 4 Blue Tit, 3 Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch, a Wren and a Chaffinch.

Various species, 1st November 2015.
Photos  - Philip Millns

Short-eared Owl, 1st November 2015.
Photos - Philip Millns