Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory Blog: November 2017

Late November 2017

November 30th. Moderately strong northerly wind, with snow from mid morning.
Birds around included 300 Pink-footed Goose, a House Sparrow and 2 Snow Bunting. Going south were 3 Whooper Swan, 25 Red-throated Diver, 80 Wigeon, 40 Teal, 30 Common Scoter and a Great Crested Grebe; and north 3 Teal, a Common Scoter, a Brent Goose and an Auk Spp.

November 29th. Rain until early morning, then in afternoon.
Around were 550 Pink-footed Goose. Heading south were 92 Kittiwake and 3 Great Skua; and north 8 adult Little Gull, 2 Fulmar, 25 Wigeon and 15 Auk Spp. In off the sea came a Short-eared Owl.

November 28th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 550 Pink-footed Goose, a Kingfisher, a Firecrest, a Goldcrest and a Brambling. Offshore were 14 Wigeon. Flying south were 6 Whooper Swan and 6 Gannet; and north 25 Wigeon and 5 Gannet.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 12 new birds: a Firecrest, a Brambling, 3 Chaffinch, a Blue Tit, 4 Greenfinch and 2 Blackbird; and 3 retraps: a Blackbird, a Wren and a Robin.

Firecrest, ringed 28th November 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

Brambling, ringed 28th November 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

November 27th. Around, including birds trapped, were 800 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Goldcrest, a Stonechat and 3 Siskin. On Jackson's Marsh were a juvenile Whooper Swan and 57 Wigeon; and on Croftmarsh a Common Buzzard and 200 Golden Plover.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 9 new birds: a Wren, 3 Goldfinch, a Blue Tit and 4 Greenfinch; and 12 retraps: a Blackbird, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Dunnock, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Blue Tit, a Wren, a Greenfinch and a Great Tit.

November 26th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 500 Pink-footed Goose, 30 Brent Goose, 2 Pintail, a Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, 3 Goldcrest, a Coal Tit, a Blackcap, a Stonechat, 2 Brambling, 2 Bullfinch, 3 Redpoll and 13 Siskin. On Jackson's Marsh was a juvenile Whooper Swan; and on the Mere 2 Pintail. Going west were 7 Whooper Swan.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 13 new birds: 3 Wren, a Goldcrest, 4 Goldfinch, a Great Tit, a Blackcap, a Blue Tit, a Greenfinch and a Blackbird; and 12 retraps: 2 Wren, a Blackbird, 4 Dunnock, 2 Great Tit, 2 Goldcrest and a Goldfinch.

Sunrise, 26th November 2017.
Photo - Rob Watson

Roe Deer, 26th November 2016.
Photo - Rob Watson

November 25th. Around, including birds trapped, were 500 Pink-footed Goose, 2000 Golden Plover, a Blackcap, a Redwing, a Stonechat and a Siskin. On Jackson's Marsh was a juvenile Whooper Swan.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, with Jenni Godber, resulted in 17 new birds: 6 Goldfinch, 3 Chaffinch, a Blackcap, 4 Greenfinch and 3 Blackbird; and 10 retraps: 2 Goldcrest, 2 Blue Tit, a Goldfinch, 2 Long-tailed Tit, a Wren, a Great Tit and a Greenfinch.

Sunset over the reserve, 25th November 2017.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Long-tailed Tit, 25th November 2017.
Photo - Paul Johnson

Redwing, 25th November 2017.
Photo - Paul Johnson

Siskin, 25th November 2017.
Photo - Paul Johnson

Stonechat, 25th November 2017.
Photo - Paul Johnson

November 24th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 800 Pink-footed Goose, 550 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Pintail, a Marsh Harrier, 7 Woodcock, 11 Snipe, a Kingfisher, a Green Woodpecker, 2 Merlin, 2 Water Pipit, 2 Goldcrest, a Blackcap, 25 Siskin, a Lesser Redpoll, 3 Brambling and a Yellowhammer. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Pale-bellied Brent Goose and 11 Water Rail; and on Jackson's Marsh a juvenile Whooper Swan. Heading south were 7 Whooper Swan and a Hawfinch.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, with Jenni Godber, provided 18 new birds: a Wren, a Lesser Redpoll, 2 Goldfinch, 12 Greenfinch, a Song Thrush and a Blackbird; and 14 retraps: a Blackbird, 2 Robin, 2 Dunnock, 2 Wren, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Blue Tit and a Song Thrush.

Pale-bellied Brent Goose on Tennyson's Sands, 24th November 2017.
Photo - Ben Ward

November 23rd. Moderately strong south-westerly wind, gradually decreasing.
Birds around included a Marsh Harrier, 3 Woodcock, 4 Merlin, a Treecreeper, a Chiffchaff, 16 Fieldfare, 8 Brambling, a Bullfinch and 30 Siskin. On Jackson's Marsh were a juvenile Whooper Swan and a Pintail; and on Tennyson's Sands a Pintail. Flying south were 15 Whooper Swan and 3 Brambling.

Amethyst Deceiver, 23rd November 2017.
Photo - Jack Wilson

Stonechat, 23rd November 2017.
Photo - Jack Wilson

Brambling in the Plantation, 23rd November 2017.
Photo - Ben Ward

November 22nd. Increasingly strong south-westerly wind.
Around were 450 Pink-footed Goose, 54 Brent Goose, 600 Cormorant, a Common Buzzard, a Woodcock, 4 Snipe, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, a Green Woodpecker, 2 Kingfisher, a Stonechat, 3 Fieldfare, 80 Siskin and a Corn Bunting. On Jackson's Marsh was a juvenile Whooper Swan; on Tennyson's Sands a Water Rail and 4 Black-tailed Godwit; and on the Mere 21 Gadwall. Going south were a Red-breasted Merganser and 72 Black-tailed Godwit; and north 3 Red-breasted Merganser. To roost on Tennyson's Sands went 620 Starling.

November 21st. Birds around, including those trapped, were 1200 Pink-footed Goose, a Water Rail, a Woodcock, a Kingfisher, 15 Goldcrest, 3 Fieldfare, 23 Siskin, a Bullfinch and a Corn Bunting. On Jackson's Marsh was a juvenile Whooper Swan; and on Tennyson's Sands were 300 Teal, 11 Water Rail and 9 Black-tailed Godwit. Heading south were 4 Brambling and 22 Siskin.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 11 new birds: 7 Goldfinch, a Great Tit, a Bullfinch and 2 Greenfinch; and 10 retraps: a Robin, a Blackbird, 2 Wren, 2 Blue Tit, a Great Tit, a Goldcrest, a Dunnock and a Goldfinch.

Mid November 2017

November 20th. Rain until late morning.
Around were 900 Pink-footed Goose, a Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, a Green Woodpecker, 4 Stonechat, 16 Goldcrest, a Treecreeper, a Blackcap and a Bullfinch. On Jackson's Marsh were a Juvenile Whooper Swan and 4 Pintail; on Tennyson's Sands 8 Water Rail and 3 Black-tailed Godwit; on the Mere 54 Gadwall and a Water Rail; and on Fenland Lagoon a Water Rail.

November 19th. In the West Dunes were 2 Firecrest. Birds around, including those trapped, were 1500 Pink-footed Goose, 552 Brent Goose, 456 Cormorant, 2 Common Buzzard, 5 Snipe, 2 Woodcock, a Green Woodpecker, a Peregrine, a Kingfisher, a Fieldfare, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Blackcap, 6 Siskin, a Bullfinch, a Snow Bunting and 11 Corn Bunting. On Jackson's Marsh were a juvenile Whooper Swan and 2 Pintail; and on Tennyson's Sands 51 Shoveler, 9 Water Rail, a Black-tailed Godwit and a Kingfisher. Flying south were a juvenile Iceland Gull (over the beach late morning) and 15 Whooper Swan; north 5 Collared Dove; and north-east a Whooper Swan.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue yielded 14 new birds: a Goldcrest, 2 Blackcap, 4 Goldfinch, a Bullfinch, 4 Greenfinch and 2 Blackbird; and 8 retraps: a Dunnock, a Blue Tit, a Robin, a Blackbird, 2 Goldfinch, a Great Tit and a Goldcrest.

Bullfinch, ringed 19th November 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

Firecrest in West Dunes, 19th November 2017.
Photo - Nigel Taylor

Pink-footed Geese, 19th November 2017.
Photo - Rob Watson

Sunset, 19th November 2017.
Photo - Rob Watson

November 18th. Around, including birds trapped, were 1200 Pink-footed Goose, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Goldcrest, a Brambling and a Bullfinch. On Jackson's Marsh was a juvenile Whooper Swan.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 13 new birds: a Chaffinch, 5 Goldfinch, a Blue Tit, a Great Tit, 3 Greenfinch and 2 Blackbird; and 7 retraps: a Wren, a Robin, a Bullfinch, 2 Goldcrest, a Blue Tit and a Great Tit.

November 17th. Frosty start, gradually thawing out.
The Bittern flew between Jackson's Marsh and Tennyson's Sands. On Jackson's Marsh were the juvenile Whooper Swan and 4 Water Rail; on Tennyson's Sands 14 Water Rail; on the Mere 2 Water Rail; and on Fenland Lagoon a Water Rail. Birds around, including those trapped, were 1500 Pink-footed Goose, 150 Shelduck, 10 Red-breasted Merganser, a male Hen Harrier, 3 Marsh Harrier, a Water Rail, 500 Redshank, 2 Kingfisher, 3 Merlin, a Peregrine, 3 Goldcrest, a Water Pipit and 15 Corn Bunting.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 8 new birds: a Wren, a Goldcrest, a Chaffinch, a Goldfinch, a Greenfinch and 3 Blackbird; and 7 retraps: a Blackbird, a Blue Tit, a Great Tit, 2 Goldcrest and 2 Dunnock.

A new record count of Water Rail today, 17th November 2017.
Photo - Richard Doan

Blackbirds on Sykes Farm track, 17th November 2017.
Photo - Richard Doan

Bittern in flight over Tennyson's Sands, 17th November 2017.
Photo - Richard Doan

Rising tide from Millennium Ridge, 17th November 2017.
Photo - Richard Doan

November 16th. On Jackson's Marsh were a Bittern and a juvenile Whooper Swan. Around, including birds trapped, were 30 Pink-footed Goose, 6 Brent Goose, a Coal Tit and a Brambling.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue resulted in 14 new birds: a Goldcrest, 5 Goldfinch, a Brambling, a Blue Tit, 4 Greenfinch and 2 Blackbird; and 13 retraps: a Robin, 2 Blackbird, 2 Blue Tit, 3 Goldfinch, a Dunnock, 3 Great Tit and a Coal Tit.

Brambling, ringed 16th November 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

Coal Tit, retapped 16th November 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

November 15th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 1150 Pink-footed Goose, 16 Water Rail, a Kingfisher, a Green Woodpecker, a Firecrest (West Dunes), 6 Goldcrest, a Cetti's Warbler, 2 Bullfinch, 60 Siskin and 11 Corn Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Pintail, 20 Black-tailed Godwit and 154 Lapwing; and on Jackson's Marsh a juvenile Whooper Swan and 2 Pintail. Heading south were 59 Siskin.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 13 new birds: 2 Wren, 2 Goldcrest, a Lesser Redpoll, a Cetti's Warbler, a Blue Tit, 2 Goldfinch, a Greenfinch and 3 Blackbird; and 9 retraps: 3 Goldcrest, 2 Great Tit, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Blue Tit and a Wren.

Cetti's Warbler, ringed 15th November 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

November 14th. A Black Brant or hybrid was near the Shorebird Hut. In East Dunes was a Siberian Chiffchaff. Around, including birds trapped, were 1150 Pink-footed Goose, 300 Brent Goose, a Spotted Redshank, a Snipe, 4 Fieldfare, 2 Redwing, a Mistle Thrush, 5 Stonechat, 3 Goldcrest, a Water Pipit, 7 Siskin, 4 Bullfinch, a Twite and a Lapland Bunting. On Jackson's Marsh were a juvenile Whooper Swan and 2 Pintail. Flying south were 40 Siskin; and north an Eider and a Guillemot. In off the sea came a male Hen Harrier.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 21 new birds: a Goldcrest, a Wren, 3 Great Tit, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Bullfinch, a Greenfinch, a Redwing, 7 Blackbird and a Mistle Thrush; and 10 retraps: 3 Dunnock, 2 Wren, 2 Goldcrest, a Bullfinch and 2 Great Tit.

Mistle Thrush, ringed 14th November 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

November 13th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 300 Pink-footed Goose, 450 Canada Goose, 30 Brent Goose, a Woodcock, a Firecrest, 200 Blackbird, 3 Redwing, 2 Brambling and 3 Bullfinch. On Jackson's Marsh was a juvenile Whooper Swan. Going south was a Long-tailed Duck; and south-east 8 Whooper Swan.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue yielded 16 new birds: a Firecrest, a Bullfinch and 14 Blackbird; and 10 retraps: 2 Blackbird, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Bullfinch, 2 Dunnock, a Blue Tit and a Wren.

Firecrest, ringed 13th November 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

November 12th. Around, including birds trapped, were 180 Brent Goose, a Water Rail, 2 Woodcock, 2 Snipe, 2 Fieldfare, a Goldcrest and 3 Snow Bunting. On Jackson's Marsh was a juvenile Whooper Swan; and on the Mere a Water Rail. Heading south were 7 Whooper Swan, 9 Wigeon, an Eider, a Goldeneye, a Red-necked Grebe, 6 Pomarine Skua, 15 Great Skua, a juvenile Glaucous Gull and 2500 Kittiwake; north 25 Teal, a Pintail, 2 Goosander and 2 Guillemot; and west off the sea 4 more Whooper Swan.
The final morning ringing session of the year in East Dunes provided 3 new birds: a Wren, a Goldcrest and a Blackbird; and 3 retraps: a Dunnock and 2 Blackbird.

Muntjac, 12th November 2017.
Photo - Nige Lound

November 11th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 400 Pink-footed Goose, 150 Brent Goose, a Snipe, a Bearded Tit (East Dunes), 6 Redwing and a Goldcrest. On Jackson's Marsh were a juvenile Whooper Swan and 7 Snipe. Flying south were 22 Whooper Swan.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 27 new birds: a Goldcrest, 10 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Chaffinch, a Song Thrush and 13 Blackbird; 2 retrap Blackbirds; and a control Wren.

Early November 2017

November 10th. Moderately strong south-westerly wind.
A Richard's Pipit flew south over the saltings. Around were 1200 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Brent Goose, 4+ Bearded Tit (Borrow Pits), 150 Blackbird, a Fieldfare, 3 Redwing and 7 Siskin. On Jackson's Marsh was a juvenile Whooper Swan. Going south were 16 Whooper Swan.

November 9th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 120 Pink-footed Goose, 350 Brent Goose, a Hen Harrier, a Common Buzzard, a Woodcock, 3 Shorelark, 250 Blackbird, 2 Stonechat, a Goldcrest and a Bullfinch. On Jackson's Marsh were a juvenile Whooper Swan and 2 Bearded Tit.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Jenni Godber, resulted in 35 new birds: a Goldcrest, 19 Long-tailed Tit, a Bullfinch, a Robin, a Greenfinch and 12 Blackbird; and 5 retraps: 3 Blackbird, a Robin and a Long-tailed Tit.

Bullfinch, ringed 9th November 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

November 8th. Around, including birds trapped, were 1200 Pink-footed Goose, a Water Rail, 4 Woodcock, 11 Snipe, a Peregrine, 3 Shorelark, 500 Blackbird, 20 Redwing, 2 Fieldfare, 2 Stonechat, a Goldcrest and a Blackcap. On Tennyson's Sands were 620 Teal, 2 Water Rail and 2 Bearded Tit. Heading south were 120 Pink-footed Goose and 7 Whooper Swan.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Jenni Godber, provided 117 new birds: a Goldcrest, a Chaffinch, a Blackcap, 5 Redwing, 106 Blackbird, a Starling and a Woodcock; a retrap Blackbird; and 2 control Blackbird with ARNHEM VT HOLLAND rings.

November 7th. Moderately strong south-westerly wind.
On the shore were 3 Shorelark (then off west) and 5 Snow Bunting. Birds around included 12 Brent Goose, 34 Pink-footed Goose, a Purple Sandpiper, a Woodcock, a Ring-necked Parakeet (East Dunes), a Kingfisher, a Merlin, 800 Starling, 200 Blackbird, a Fieldfare and 15 Redwing. On Tennyson's Sands were a Water Rail, 32 Black-tailed Godwit and at least 2 Bearded Tit. Flying south were 600 Pink-footed Goose and 100 Golden Plover.

November 6th. Frosty start, gradually thawing out.
Around, including birds trapped, were 400 Brent Goose, 30000 Knot, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, a Peregrine, a Woodcock, 2 Snipe, a Brambling and a Goldcrest. Going south were 70 Whooper Swan. On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Bearded Tit, 2 Water Rail, a Greenshank and 80 Black-tailed Godwit.
A frost-delayed morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 12 new birds: 2 Wren, a Goldcrest and 9 Blackbird; and 3 retraps: a Robin, a Dunnock and a Wren.

Black-tailed Godwits, 6th November 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

Water Rail, 6th November 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

Bearded Tit, 6th November 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

High tide at dawn from Wash Viewpoint, 6th November 2017.
Photo - Richard Doan

November 5th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 1200 Pink-footed Goose, 100 Brent Goose, a Kingfisher, a Bearded Tit, a Treecreeper, 15 Fieldfare, a Stonechat, a Siberian Chiffchaff (North Building), 2 Goldcrest, a Bullfinch and 7 Snow Bunting. Heading south were 150 Whooper Swan, 7 Wigeon, a Twite and 2 Bullfinch; and west a Lapland Bunting.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Jenni Godber, yielded 31 new birds: 8 Long-tailed Tit, a Goldcrest and 22 Blackbird; and 7 retraps: a Blackbird, 3 Wren, a Dunnock, a Goldcrest and a Blue Tit.

Snow Bunting on Millennium Ridge, 5th November 2017.
Photo - Russell Hayes

Whooper Swans arriving from the north, 5th November 2017.
Photo - Richard Doan

Whooper Swans, 5th November 2017.
Photo - Rob Watson

November 4th. Rain until early afternoon.
Around were 43 Whooper Swan, a Greenshank, 35 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Woodcock, 20 Snipe, a Chiffchaff, 15 Redwing, 30 Fieldfare, 500 Blackbird and 3 Snow Bunting.

Snow Bunting at North End of the reserve, 4th November 2017.
Photo - Richard Doan

Full Moon, 4th November 2017.
Photo - Richard Doan

November 3rd. Birds around, including those trapped, were 750 Pink-footed Goose, 11 Brent Goose, a Woodcock, 80 Redwing, 75 Blackbird, 3 Fieldfare, 4 Goldcrest and a Coal Tit. Flying south was a Hawfinch.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 23 new birds: 2 Goldcrest, a Coal Tit, 9 Redwing, 10 Blackbird and a Fieldfare; and 6 retraps: 2 Blackbird, a Robin, a Wren and 2 Goldcrest.

Coal Tit, ringed 3rd November 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

November 2nd. Around, including birds trapped, were 300 Pink-footed Goose, 20 Brent Goose, a Merlin, 3 Redwing, 75 Blackbird, 6 Goldcrest and 4 Bullfinch. Going south were 2 Whooper Swan, a Great Northern Diver, 3 Red-throated Diver, 5 Great Crested Grebe and 4 Goosander.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, produced 13 new birds: 2 Goldcrest, a Bullfinch, 2 Chaffinch, a Great Tit, a Redwing and 6 Blackbird; and 9 retraps: 5 Blackbird, 3 Robin and a Goldcrest.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling produced 15 new birds: 3 Goldcrest, 9 Long-tailed Tit, a Bullfinch and 2 Blackbird; and 10 retraps: 2 Blackbird, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Robin, a Dunnock, 2 Blue Tit and a Bullfinch.
Offshore were 2 Bottle-nosed Dolphin.

Bullfinch, ringed 2nd November 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

November 1st. Birds around, including those trapped, were 750 Pink-footed Goose, 30 Brent Goose, 3 Redwing, 200 Blackbird, 2 Fieldfare, 15 Song Thrush, 2 Bullfinch and a Brambling. Heading west were 3 Bean Goose; and south a Hawfinch.
A morning ringing session in Easat Dunes, with Jenni Godber, resulted in 33 new birds: a Goldcrest, a Reed Bunting, 2 Goldfinch, a Chaffinch, a Redwing, 2 Song Thrush, 24 Blackbird and a Woodcock; and 10 retraps: a Great Tit, 5 Blackbird, a Redwing, 2 Robin and a Wren.

Woodcock, ringed 1st November 2017.
Photo - George Gregory