Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory Blog: 2018

Late December 2018

December 31st. A juvenile Iceland Gull and a Mediterranian Gull flew south late in the afternoon. Around were 49 Whooper Swan, 1200 Pink-footed Goose, 80 Brent Goose, 2 Hooded Crow, a Brambling and 30 Corn Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands were a Water Rail, a Snipe and a Kingfisher; and on Jackson's Marsh 63 Wigeon, 2 Pintail and a Black-tailed Godwit. Offshore were 14 Velvet Scoter, 20 Red-throated Diver and a Great Crested Grebe.
A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, with Jenni Godber, provided 3 new birds: a Great Tit, a Blue Tit and a Goldfinch; and 4 retraps: 3 Great Tit and a Blue Tit..

Great Tit with unusually brown-tipped remiges, ringed 31st December 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

December 30th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 42 Whooper Swan, 5 Bewick's Swan (including 2 adults), 1500 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Velvet Scoter, a Grey Heron, a Buzzard, a Water Rail, 350 Lapwing, 11 Snipe, a Short-eared Owl, a Merlin, 3 Hooded Crow, 4 Goldcrest, 2 Coal Tit, 6 Fieldfare and 23 Corn Bunting. Flying south was a Peregrine.
A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 11 new birds: a Goldcrest, 2 Goldfinch, a Great Tit, 2 Blue Tit and 5 Greenfinch; and 5 retraps: 3 Great Tit and 2 Blue Tit.

December 29th. Moderately strong south-westerly wind.
A Waxwing was seen at the Hump briefly before flying north. Around were 48 Whooper Swan, 5 Bewick's Swan (including 2 adults), 2000 Pink-footed Goose, 150 Brent Goose, 2 Pintail, a Marsh Harrier, 400 Lapwing, 19 Snipe, a Merlin, 2 Hooded Crow, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Coal Tit, 6 Rock Pipit, a Bullfinch and 15 Corn Bunting. Going north were 22 Red-throated Diver, a Guillemot, 12 Fieldfare and 15 Redwing; south 20 Red-throated Diver, 8 Ringed Plover, a Kittiwake and 14 Siskin; and west 8 Fieldfare.

Common Snipe, 29th December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont.

December 28th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 3200 Pink-footed Goose, 11 Brent Goose, 5 Bewick's Swans, a Hen Harrier, 350 Lapwing, 3 Goldcrest and 2 Coal Tit.
A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue yielded 3 new birds: a Blue Tit and 2 Greenfinch; and 6 retraps: 4 Blue Tit, a Great Tit and a Coal Tit.

Coal Tit, retrapped 28th December 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

December 27th. Around were 3000 Pink-footed Goose and 400 Lapwing.
A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 9 new birds: 3 Chaffinch, 2 Blue Tit and 4 Greenfinch; and 10 retraps: 5 Blue Tit, 4 Great Tit and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Great Spotted Woodpecker, retrapped 27th December 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

December 26th. Foggy morning.
Birds around included 50 Brent Goose and 300 Pink-footed Goose.
A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 6 retraps: 3 Goldfinch, a Coal Tit and 2 Great Tit.

December 25th. Around were 150 Pink-footed Goose, 20 Red-throated Diver, 11 Red-breasted Merganser, 110 Eider, a male Hen Harrier, 6000 Oystercatcher, 7000 Knot, a Woodcock and a Merlin. Going south were 120 Fieldfare, 8 Redwing and 3 Brambling. .

December 24th. Soggy start, slowly drying out.
Birds around included 600 Pink-footed Goose, 8 Brent Goose and a Woodcock.
A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue resulted in 4 new birds: 2 Goldfinch, a Blue Tit and a Chaffinch; and 8 retraps: 3 Blue Tit, a Goldfinch and 4 Great Tit.

December 23rd. Rain for much of day.
Around were 12 Whooper Swan, 5 Bewick's Swan (including 2 adults), 600 Pink-footed Goose, 50 Brent Goose, a Sparrowhawk, 7 Redwing and 5 House Sparrow.

December 22nd. A Waxwing was discovered by the roadside next to the Plantation before flying south. Birds around, including those trapped, were 46 Whooper Swan, 5 Bewick's Swan, 75 Brent Goose, 1200 Pink-footed Goose, 400 Wigeon, a Pintail, a Grey Heron, 2 Water Rail, 1500 Lapwing, 2 Kingfisher, a Hooded Crow, a Stonechat, a Coal Tit, a Brambling and 45 Corn Bunting, On the sea were 100 Common Scoter, 14 Velvet Scoter, a Great Northern Diver, 20 Red-throated Diver and 10 Red-breasted Merganser. Heading south were 10 Red-throated Diver, 55 Fieldfare, 44 Redwing, 2 Siskin, a Redpoll and a Lapland Bunting.
A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 7 new birds: a Chaffinch, 4 Goldfinch, a Brambling and a Greenfinch; and 3 retraps: a Coal Tit, a Blue Tit and a Goldfinch.

Waxwing, 22nd December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Brambling, ringed 22nd December 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

Ringing Control:
Blackcap ringed GPBO 2 August 2018, controlled Plaisance, Charente-Maritime, France 25 September 2018.

December 21st. Intermittent rain.
5 Bewick's Swan (including 2 adults) were found on the fields west of the River Steeping. Around were 53 Whooper Swan, 70 Brent Goose, 1200 Pink-footed Goose, a Pintail, a Grey Heron, a Sparrowhawk, a Water Rail, 200 Golden Plover, 800 Lapwing, a Merlin, a Goldcrest, 106 Fieldfare, 64 Redwing, 4 Rock Pipit and 40 Corn Bunting. On the sea were 100 Wigeon, 2 Eider, 120 Common Scoter, 11 Velvet Scoter, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, 7 Red-throated Diver, a Great Northern Diver, a Great Crested Grebe and a Slavonian Grebe. Flying south were 83 Wigeon, 30 Shoveler, 3 Red-throated Diver, 128 Fieldfare and 16 Redwing; and west 25 Fieldfare.

Bewick's Swans, 21st December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont.

Mid December 2018

December 20th. A Waxwing was around the Plantation in the morning. Birds around included 48 Whooper Swan, 2500 Pink-footed Goose, 3 Pintail, a Marsh Harrier, a ringtail Hen Harrier, 300 Lapwing, 500 Golden Plover, a Woodcock, a Merlin, a Peregrine, 3 Hooded Crow, a Coal Tit, a Water Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit and 22 Corn Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands were 40 Snipe. Going south were 175 Wigeon, a Goosander, 20 Red-throated Diver, a Great Northern Diver, 375 Fieldfare and 29 Redwing. On the sea were 3 Eider, 140 Common Scoter, 8 Velvet Scoter, 11 Red-breasted Merganser, 7 Red-throated Diver, a Great Crested Grebe and a Razorbill.
A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 5 new birds: 3 Goldfinch, a Blue Tit and a Blackbird; 2 retraps: a Blue Tit and a Goldfinch; and a control Goldfinch.

Blackbird, 20th December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Great Black-backed Gull, 20th December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

December 19th. Some rain in morning,
Around were 46 Whooper Swan, 1200 Pink-footed Goose, 150 Brent Goose, a Sparrowhawk, 1000 Golden Plover, 800 Lapwing, a Hooded Crow, 25 Fieldfare, 2 Rock Pipit and 20 Corn Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands were a Grey Heron and a Water Rail. Heading west were 62 Fieldfare.

December 18th. Moderately strong south-easterly wind, with rain in afternoon.
Birds around included 51 Whooper Swan, a Grey Heron, 80 Golden Plover, a Woodcock, a Hooded Crow, a Coal Tit, 11 Redwing, 3 Water Pipit, a Bullfinch and a Corn Bunting. Flying south were 2 Brent Goose, 5 Eider, 2 Great Crested Grebe and 3 Common Scoter.

December 17th. Around, including birds trapped, were 57 Whooper Swan, 2600 Pink-footed Goose, 150 Brent Goose, a Marsh Harrier, a male Hen Harrier, a Buzzard, 4500 Golden Plover, 250 Lapwing, a Green Woodpecker, a Peregrine, 2 Merlin, 3 Hooded Crow, 4 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, a Tree Sparrow, 3 Rock Pipit, a Bullfinch, 6 Brambling and 45 Corn Bunting. Over Tennyson's Sands was a Water Pipit; on the Mere was a Kingfisher; and offshore were 40 Wigeon, 120 Common Scoter, 8 Velvet Scoter, a Guillemot and a Great Crested Grebe. Going south were 25 Chaffinch and 7 Brambling.
A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 4 new birds: a Goldfinch, a Tree Sparrow, a Blue Tit and a Chaffinch; and 3 retraps: 2 Great Tit and a Blue Tit,.

Long-tailed Tit, 17th December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Tree Sparrow, ringed 17th December 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

Honeycomb in the West Dunes, 17th December 2018.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

December 16th. Birds around included 54 Whooper Swan, 70 Brent Goose, 850 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Pintail, a Goosander, a Grey Heron, a Marsh Harrier, a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, 600 Golden Plover, a Black-tailed Godwit, a Woodcock, a Short-eared Owl, a Kingfisher, a Merlin, 3 Hooded Crow, 5 Goldcrest, a Mistle Thrush, a Stonechat, a Tree Sparrow, 9 Rock Pipit and 60 Corn Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands was a Cetti's Warbler; and on the sea were an Eider, 150 Common Scoter, 4 Velvet Scoter, a Slavonian Grebe and 2 Guillemots. Heading south were 50 Teal, 11 Shoveler, a Brambling and 5 Siskin.
A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue yielded a new Chaffinch; and 4 retraps: 3 Blue Tit and a Great Tit.

Corn Bunting, 16th December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Stonechat, 16th December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Coot, 16th December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

December 15th. Increasing south-easterly wind.
Around were 44 Whooper Swan, 100 Brent Goose, 1000 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Pintail, 150 Common Scoter, a Great Crested Grebe, 2 Kingfisher, a Hooded Crow, and 35 Fieldfare.

December 14th. Birds around included 26 Whooper Swan, 90 Brent Goose, 1720 Pink-footed Goose, a Marsh Harrier, a Merlin, a Barn Owl, 2 Hooded Crow, a Chiffchaff, 145 Fieldfare, 26 Redwing and 56 Corn Bunting. On the Mere were 2 Water Rail and 6 Snipe; and on the sea were an Eider, 200 Common Scoter and a Velvet Scoter. Flying north were 8 Red-throated Diver and a Snipe; and south 4 Eider, a Red-breasted Merganser, a Great Crested Grebe and 5 Red-throated Diver.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 4 new birds: a Goldfinch, a Blue Tit and 2 Greenfinch; and 6 retraps: 5 Great Tit and a Blue Tit.

Common Snipe, 14th December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

December 13th. Moderately strong south-easterly wind.
Around were 25 Whooper Swan, 500 Pink-footed Goose, 90 Brent Goose, 150 Common Scoter, a Velvet Scoter, a male Hen Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, a Woodcock, 2 Chiffchaff, 70 Fieldfare, 10 Redwing and 32 Corn Bunting. On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Pintail, a Grey Heron and 2 Black-tailed Godwit.

Blackbird, 13th December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Chiffchaff, 13th December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

December 12th. Birds around included 50 Whooper Swan, 2000 Pink-footed Goose, 16 White-fronted Goose, a male Hen Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, 900 Golden Plover, 450 Lapwing, a Woodcock, a Kingfisher, a Peregrine, 2 Rock Pipit, and 2 Corn Bunting.
A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced a new Greenfinch; and a retrap Blue Tit.

Pink-footed Geese, 12th December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Ringing Recovery: Marsh Tit ringed Cottam PS, Nottinghamshire 11 July 2018, found dead GPNNR 25 September 2018.

December 11th. Around were 3 Tundra Bean Goose, 2500 Pink-footed Goose, a Shag, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Water Rail, a Merlin and 2 Yellowhammer. On the Mere was a Kingfisher. Going north was a Pomarine Skua; and south were 2 Great Northern Diver.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling resulted in 4 new birds: a Blue Tit, 2 Chaffinch and a Greenfinch; and 5 retraps: 2 Great Tit, a Blue Tit, a Coal Tit and a Dunnock.

Shag seen on Cowbank Drain, 11th December 2018.
Photo - Kev Wilson

Early December 2018

December 10th. Around were 500 Pink-footed Goose and a Redwing. Heading south was a Water Pipit.
A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 3 new birds: 2 Goldfinch and a Greenfinch; and 4 retraps: singles of Blue Tit, Dunnock, Chaffinch and Great Tit.

December 9th. Moderately strong north-westerly wind, with rain until early morning. A Great White Egret was seen briefly, first on Jackson's Marsh and then Tennyson Sands before flying off.
Birds around included 30 Whooper Swan, 400 Pink-footed Goose, a Merlin, 2 Hooded Crow, 3 Redwing and a Blackcap, Offshore were 9 Velvet Scoter and 2 Great Northern Diver; and on the Mere 62 Gadwall. Flying south were 400 Lapwing.

December 8th. Strong south-westerly wind, with some rain in afternoon.
Around were 400 Pink-footed Goose, 5 Fieldfare and 300 Lapwing. 2 Chiffchaff were in the plantation. Highlights from Mill Hill were 2 Great Northern Diver on the sea.

December 7th. Moderately strong south-westerly wind, with rain until early afternoon.
Birds around included 37 Whooper Swan, 400 Pink-footed Goose, 250 Wigeon, and Eider, 200 Common Scoter, 3 Velvet Scoter, a Grey Heron, a ringtail Hen Harrier, 8 Snipe, a Hooded Crow, a Merlin, 47 Fieldfare, 6 Redwing, 8 Rock Pipit and 2 Corn Bunting.

Snipe, 7th December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

December 6th. Around were 35 Whooper Swan, 600 Pink-footed Goose, 24 Brent Goose, 11 Velvet Scoter, 300 Common Scoter, 2 Hooded Crow and a Brambling.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 4 new birds: 2 Chaffinch, a Goldfinch and a Blackbird; and 11 retraps: 3 Blue Tit, 7 Great Tit and a Coal Tit.

Coal Tit, retrapped 6th December 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

Tiny Toadstools on a Corsican Pine Cone, 6th December 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

December 5th. Rain for most of day.
Birds around included 36 Whooper Swan, 1600 Pink-footed Goose, a Grey Heron, 2 Hen Harrier (a male and a ringtail), a Water Rail, 8 Snipe, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Fieldfare, 9 Redwing, a Water Pipit and 16 Corn Bunting.

December 4th. Freezing start, slowly thawing out.
Around were 40 Whooper Swan, 1600 Pink-footed Goose, 200 Brent Goose, 100 Common Scoter, 5 Red-throated Diver, a Grey Heron, a Buzzard, a Water Rail, 400 Golden Plover, 900 Lapwing, a Woodcock, 5 Snipe, a Merlin, 47 Fieldfare, a Stonechat, a Yellowhammer and a Corn Bunting. Heading north were 11 Velvet Scoter; and south 8 Siskin.

Corn Bunting, 4th December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Robin, 4th December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Reed Bunting, 4th December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

December 3rd. Rain from mid morning.
Birds around included 32 Whooper Swan, 2500 Pink-footed Goose, a White-fronted Goose, 65 Brent Goose, a Great Northern Diver, a Red-necked Grebe and 200 Lapwing. Flying south were a Bullfinch and a Lapland Bunting.
A brief, rain-shortened morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue resulted in a new Goldfinch; and 4 retraps: a Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit and a Goldfinch.

December 2nd. Moderately strong south-westerly wind, with some light early morning rain.
Around were 38 Whooper Swan, 2800 Pink-footed Goose, 160 Brent Goose, a Pintail, 11 Velvet Scoter, 4 Red-legged Partridge, 6 Red-throated Diver, a Marsh Harrier, 3 Hen Harrier, 3 Water Rail, 800 Lapwing, a Woodcock, 12 Snipe, a late Sandwich Tern, a Kingfisher, a Peregrine Falcon, 3 Hooded Crow, 2 Goldcrest, a Coal Tit, a Blackcap, a Treecreeper, 38 Fieldfare, 14 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, a Water Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit, a Brambling and 11 Corn Bunting. Going south were 4 Whooper Swan, 3 Red-breasted Merganser and a Great Northern Diver.

Little Egret, 2nd December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

December 1st. Birds around included 46 Whooper Swan, 3000 Pink-footed Goose, a Pintail, a Great Crested Grebe, a Marsh Harrier, a male Hen Harrier, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, a Woodcock, a Kingfisher, a Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, a Chiffchaff, 18 Redwing, 2 Rock Pipit and 2 Brambling.

Grey Heron, 1st December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Teal, 1st December 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Late November 2018

Ringing Recovery.
Black-headed Gull ringed GPBO 29 August 2008, ring number read in field GPNNR 27 November 2018.

November 30th. Moderately strong south-westerly wind.
Around were 3000 Pink-footed Goose, 185 Brent Goose, 2 Velvet Scoter, a Black-throated Diver (reported), a Great Northern Diver, a Shag, a Grey Heron, a Slavonian Grebe, a ringtail Hen Harrier, 200 Lapwing, 2 Kingfisher, 2 Hooded Crow, 11 Redwing, 3 Rock Pipit and 30 Corn Bunting. Flying north were 2 Velvet Scoter, a Red-throated Diver, 2 Great Crested Grebe and 3 Guillemot; and south 48 Pink-footed Goose, 84 Wigeon, 3 Eider, a Long-tailed Duck, a Goldeneye, 8 Red-breasted Merganser, 17 Red-throated Diver, a Sooty Shearwater, a Great Crested Grebe, a Red-necked Grebe, 7 Guillemot, 2 late Sandwich Tern and 14 Snow Bunting.

Male Hen Harrier, 30th November 2018.

Red-throated Diver, 30th November 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 30th November 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Brambling, 30th November 2018.
Photo - Paul Johnson

November 29th. Strong southerly wind, with some early morning rain.
Birds around included 18 Whooper Swan, 2000 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, 250 Lapwing, 4 Snipe, 3 Woodcock, a Chiffchaff, 12 Redwing, a Rock Pipit and a Corn Bunting. Going south were a Pintail, 2 Stock Dove and 25 Chaffinch.

November 28th. Increasing southerly wind with rainy spells.
Around were 18 Whooper Swan, 2000 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Velvet Scoter, a Marsh Harrier, a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, 250 Golden Plover, 800 Lapwing, a Merlin, a Hooded Crow and 2 Rock Pipit.

November 27th. Birds around included 18 Whooper Swan, a Shag, 2000 Pink-footed Goose, a Grey Heron, a Hen Harrier, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Woodcock, 6 Snipe, 2 Hooded Crow, 2 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, a Waxwing, a Treecreeper and 3 Rock Pipit.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 10 new birds: 3 Great Tit, 2 Goldfinch, a Chaffinch, a Blue Tit, 2 Greenfinch and a Blackbird; and 13 retraps: 9 Great Tit, a Goldcrest, a Blackbird, a Robin and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Great Spotted Woodpecker, retrapped 27th November 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

Ringing Control: Blackbird ringed GPBO 24 May 2018, controlled Theddlethorpe St Helens, Lincolnshire 21 October 2018.

November 26th. Around were 18 Whooper Swan, 2700 Pink-footed Goose, 250 Brent Goose, a Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard, a Water Rail, 400 Golden Plover, a Woodcock, 29 Snipe, a Kingfisher, a Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, a Peregrine Falcon, a Hooded Crow, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, 65 Redwing, a Stonechat, a Water Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit and a Brambling. Heading north were a Long-tailed Duck, 2 Velvet Scoter, 3 Red-throated Diver, a Great Northern Diver, a Slavonian Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe, a Great Skua, 13 Kittiwake and 8 Little Gull; and south 6 Red-breasted Merganser, 25 Red-throated Diver and 4 Brambling.

Lapwing, 26th November 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Golden Plover and Lapwing, 26th November 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Roosting Snipe, 26th November 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

November 25th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 18 Whooper Swan, 275 Brent Goose, 2800 Pink-footed Goose, a Buzzard, 3 Water Rail, 2000 Grey Plover, 600 Bar-tailed Godwit, 19000 Knot, 460 Sanderling, 1500 Dunlin, 2 Woodcock, a late Sandwich Tern, a Barn Owl, a Kingfisher, a Merlin, a Hooded Crow, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Coal Tit, a Blackcap, 12 Fieldfare, 19 Redwing, 6 Rock Pipit, a Brambling and a Snow Bunting. Flying north was a Little Auk; and south 60 Eider, 8 Velvet Scoter, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 30 Red-throated Diver, a Red Kite, 2 Brambling, 2 Redpoll and 25 Siskin.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 10 new birds: 2 Robin, a Goldfinch, a Blackcap, a Great Tit, 2 Blue Tit, a Greenfinch and 2 Blackbird; and 16 retraps: a Blackbird, 8 Great Tit, a Blue Tit, a Goldcrest, 2 Coal Tit, a Goldfinch, a Wren and a Long-tailed Tit.

High tide wader roost of mainly Grey Plover and Knot, 25th November 2018.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

argentatus Herring Gull - 25th November 2018.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

November 24th. Around were 19 Whooper Swan, 300 Brent Goose, 3000 Pink-footed Goose, 7 Pintail, 6 Velvet Scoter, 17 Little Egret, 2 Hen Harrier (a male and a ringtail), 2 Water Rail, 90 Lapwing, a Woodcock, 2 Sandwich Tern, a Short-eared Owl, a Green Woodpecker, a Peregrine Falcon, 5 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, 30 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, 2 Stonechat, 4 Rock Pipit and a Brambling. Going north were 2 Red-throated Diver; and south 3 Common Scoter, 3 Gannet, a Great Crested Grebe and 40 Fieldfare.

Blackcap, 24th November 2018.
Photo - Paul Johnson

Fieldfare, 24th November 2018.
Photo - Paul Johnson

Redwing, 24th November 2018.
Photo - Paul Johnson

Sandwich Terns, 24th November 2018.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

November 23rd. A Waxwing was seen at the north end of Gibraltar Road. Birds around included 18 Whooper Swan, 60 Brent Goose, 800 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Grey Heron, a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Water Rail, 30 Golden Plover, a Woodcock, 4 Snipe, a Green Woodpecker, a Hooded Crow, 2 Chiffchaff, 44 Redwing, 2 Water Pipit, 5 Rock Pipit, 15 Brambling and a Crossbill. Heading south were 21 Fieldfare and 34 Siskin.

November 22nd. Some early morning light rain.
Around were 450 Pink-footed Goose,a Grey Heron, a Hooded Crow, a Cetti's Warbler, 8 Redwing, 2 Stonechat and 2 Corn Bunting. Going south were 53 Wigeon and 36 Eider.

November 21st. Moderately strong but decreasing south-easterly wind.
Birds around included 21 Whooper Swan, 200 Brent Goose, 3000 Pink-footed Goose, a Jack Snipe, a Woodcock, 12000 Black-headed Gull, a Caspian Gull, a Mediterranean Gull, a Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, 4 Chiffchaff, 4 Fieldfare, 17 Redwing, 3 Mistle Thrush, 15 Rock Pipit, 4 Snow Bunting and 14 Corn Bunting.

Mid November 2018

November 20th. Strong easterly wind, with occasional showers.
Around were 19 Whooper Swan, 106 Brent Goose, 2200 Pink-footed Goose, a ringtail Hen Harrier, 10 Grey Plover, 100 Golden Plover, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 20 Dunlin, 3 Woodcock, 100 Black-headed Gull, 30 Herring Gull, 30 Great Black-backed Gull, a Green Woodpecker, 3 Fieldfare and 2 Rock Pipit. Flying north were 3 Red-throated Diver, a Diver Spp, 2 Auk Spp, 24 Gannet, 12 Kittiwake; and south 2 Wigeon and 15 Teal.

November 19th. Moderately strong north-easterly wind, with intermittent rain.
A Black Redstart was around Sykes Farm in the afternoon. Birds around included 18 Whooper Swan, 335 Brent Goose, 2000 Pink-footed Goose, a Marsh Harrier, a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, a Water Rail, 400 Golden Plover, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Woodcock, a Merlin, 5 Goldcrest and 2 Rock Pipit. Going north were 3 Common Scoter and 76 Gannet ;and south 148 Brent Goose, 155 Wigeon, 78 Teal, 4 Pintail, 42 Eider, a Goldeneye, 5 Red-throated Diver, a Great Northern Diver, 29 Gannet, a Great Crested Grebe, 2 Great Skua, a Guillemot, 3 Auk Spp, 14 Kittiwake and a Waxwing (in the morning).

Tawny Owl, 19th November 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Black Redstart, 19th November 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

November 18th. A Great Grey Shrike arrived off the sea in the morning, alighting briefly out from Mill Hill before quickly disappearing. Around, including birds trapped, were 17 Whooper Swan, 150 Brent Goose, 2000 Pink-footed Goose, 42 Common Scoter, a Velvet Scoter, a Great Crested Grebe, a Hen Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Water Rail, 3 Woodcock, a Sandwich Tern, a Little Gull, a Merlin, 2 Hooded Crow, 10 Goldcrest and a Chiffchaff. In off the sea came a Woodcock and 4 Snipe. Going north were 75 Eider, 7 Common Scoter, 8 Gannet and a Guillemot; and south 4 Brent Goose, a Shelduck, 11 Wigeon, 2 Teal, a Tufted Duck, 3 Common Scoter, 5 Goldeneye, 14 Lapwing, 3 Auk Spp, 9 Kittiwake and 3 Rock Pipit.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 9 new birds: a Robin, 7 Blackbird and a Woodcock; and a retrap Robin.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling provided 6 new birds: 3 Chaffinch, a Goldfinch, a Greenfinch and a Blackbird; and 10 retraps: a Blue Tit, a Blackbird, 2 Great Tit, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Robin and a Greenfinch.

Great Grey Shrike, 18th November 2018.

Photos - Ben Ward

Woodcock, ringed 18th November 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

November 17th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 16 Whooper Swan, 300 Brent Goose, 400 Pink-footed Goose, 200 Wigeon, 40 Common Scoter, a Grey Partridge, 5 Red-throated Diver, a Hen Harrier, a Marsh Harrier, 3 Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, 2 Black-tailed Goldwit, a Jack Snipe, a Woodcock, a Sandwich Tern, a Little Gull, 16 Stock Dove, a Short-eared Owl, a Kingfisher, 2 Hooded Crow, 11 Goldcrest, a Cetti's Warbler, a Chiffchaff, a Water Pipit, a Brambling, a Yellowhammer and 3 Corn Bunting. Heading north were 11 Common Scoter, 45 Eider and 2 Guillemot; and south 5 Eider, 121 Kittiwake and 20 Little Gull.

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

The Wash at Sunset, 17th November 2018.

Photo - Ben Ward

November 16th. Prolonged fog then mist.
The Siberian Chiffchaff was located in the Tennyson's Sands hedgerow in the morning. Around, including birds trapped, were 40 Brent Goose, 2000 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Grey Partridge, a Grey Heron, a Sparrowhawk, a Water Rail, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, a Woodcock, a Hooded Crow, 26 Goldcrest, a Coal Tit, a Cetti's Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 150 Starling, 61 Blackbird, 37 Fieldfare, 6 Song Thrush, 347 Redwing, a Mistle Thrush, a Stonechat, 2 Rock Pipit, a Brambling, 9 Greenfinch, 4 Redpoll, 4 Siskin, a Yellowhammer and 3 Corn Bunting. Flying south were 4 Snipe, 222 Fieldfare, 152 Redwing and 2 Tree Sparrow.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 16 new birds: a Wren, 5 Goldcrest, a Song Thrush, 2 Redwing, 5 Blackbird and 2 Fieldfare; and 3 retraps: a Song Thrush, a Wren and a Robin.

Fieldfare, ringed 16th November 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

Teal, 16th November 2018.
Photo - Liam Andrews

November 15th. A Swift Spp (Common/Pallid) came from north before heading west inland out over Croft Marsh in the late afternoon. The Parrot Crossbill was seen again early morning. Birds around, including those trapped, were 18 Whooper Swan, 95 Brent Goose, 1950 Pink-footed Goose, 84 Shelduck, 220 Wigeon, 2 Pintail, 78 Common Scoter, 20 Red-throated Diver, 13 Gannet, a Grey Heron, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, 151 Lapwing, 152 Curlew, 92 Redshank, a Spotted Redshank, a Jack Snipe, a Woodcock, a Guillemot, 9 Stock Dove, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Merlin, 2 Hooded Crow, 51 Skylark, 30 Goldcrest, a Blackcap, a Chiffchaff, 900 Starling, 131 Blackbird, 13 Fieldfare, 13 Song Thrush, 162 Redwing, a Mistle Thrush, 206 Robin, 5 Stonechat, a Water Pipit, 14 Rock Pipit, a Brambling, 70 Chaffinch, 10 Greenfinch, 5 Crossbill, 5 Siskin and a Corn Bunting. In off the sea came 4 Snipe and 69 Redwing. Going south were 7 Red-throated Diver, 2 Snipe, 65 Starling, 148 Fieldfare, 298 Redwing, 2 Meadow Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit, 4 Brambling, 166 Chaffinch, 83 Goldfinch, 11 Siskin and 2 Yellowhammer.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, provided 29 new birds: 3 Goldcrest, 2 Reed Bunting, 17 Redwing and 7 Blackbird; and 10 retraps: 4 Robin, 3 Goldcrest, a Blackbird, a Song Thrush and a Blue Tit.

November 14th. Moderately strong southerly wind, with some light early morning rain.
A Parrot Crossbill was discovered amongst the mobile Crossbill flock, ranging along the reserve's western side throughout the day. Around were 800 Pink-footed Goose, 14 Whooper Swan, 29 Tufted Duck, 12 Pintail, a Grey Heron, a Hen Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, 2 Water Rail, 400 Golden Plover, 30 Lapwing, a Woodcock, a Hooded Crow, 18 Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaff, a Treecreeper, 32 Blackbird, 38 Fieldfare, 4 Song Thrush, 4 Redwing and 6 Crossbill. Heading south were 5 Brambling, 46 Redpoll and 8 Siskin.

Parrot Crossbill, 14th November 2018.

Photos - Ben Ward

November 13th. Around, including birds trapped, were 20 Whooper Swan, 20 Brent Goose, 942 Pink-footed Goose, an Egyptian Goose, 2 Velvet Scoter, 4 Red-throated Diver, a Great Northern Diver, 50 Golden Plover, a Hen Harrier, 2 Buzzard, a Water Rail, 50 Golden Plover, 12 Stock Dove, a Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, 2 Hooded Crow, 19 Goldcrest, 4 Chiffchaff, a Siberian Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, a Water Pipit, 6 Crossbill and 3 Corn Bunting. Heading south were 4 Whooper Swan, 53 Pink-footed Goose, 5 Greylag Goose, a Marsh Harrier, a Hen Harrier, a Red Kite, a Buzzard, 19 Lapwing, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 259 Stock Dove, 5922 Woodpigeon, a Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 289 Skylark, 70 Starling, 24 Fieldfare, 3 Tree Sparrow, 4 Grey Wagtail, 12 Meadow Pipit, 39 Rock Pipit, 115 Brambling, 1309 Chaffinch, 4 Greenfinch, 186 Linnet, a Twite, 10 Redpoll, 558 Goldfinch, 190 Siskin, a Lapland Bunting, 2 Snow Bunting and 36 Reed Bunting.

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

‘There was another sighting of a large-billed male Crossbill Spp today (first seen 25th Oct). This bird has a bill that appears too deep for standard Common Crossbill but structurally not classic Parrot Crossbill’

Crossbill Spp, 13th November 2018.

Photos - Kev Wilson

November 12th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 198 Brent Goose, 1500 Pink-footed Goose, 11 Whooper Swan, 524 Wigeon, 11 Gadwall, 327 Teal, 30 Shoveler, 12 Pintail, 2 Grey Heron, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Hen Harrier, 2 Buzzard, a Water Rail, 250 Golden Plover, 60 Lapwing, 7 Black-tailed Godwit, 23 Snipe, a Kingfisher, 12 Stock Dove, a Merlin, a Hooded Crow, 29 Goldcrest, a Cetti's Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Treecreeper, 49 Blackbird, 27 Fieldfare, 8 Song Thrush, 8 Redwing, a Mistle Thrush, a Stonechat, a Grey Wagtail, 2 Water Pipit, 9 Rock Pipit, 3 Siskin and 18 Corn Bunting. Flying south were 152 Pink-footed Goose, 6 Greylag Goose, a Marsh Harrier, a Red Kite, 106 Woodpigeon, 2 Rock Pipit, 79 Brambling, 370 Chaffinch, 10 Greenfinch, 16 Redpoll, 75 Goldfinch and 206 Siskin; and west 16 Fieldfare.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 11 new birds: 8 Goldcrest and 3 Blackbird; and 14 retraps: a Robin, 8 Goldcrest, 2 Blue Tit, a Blackbird, a Wren and a Song Thrush.

Merlin, 12th November 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Hooded Crow, 12th November 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumonnt

Blackbird, 12th November 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

November 11th. Some rain mid morning.

Around, including birds trapped, were 81 Brent Goose, 700 Pink-footed Goose, 14 Whooper Swan, 56 Wigeon, 278 Teal, 24 Pintail, 2 Velvet Scoter, 3 Red-throated Diver, 2 Grey Heron, a Spoonbill, a Marsh Harrier, a Hen Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, 270 Golden Plover, 145 Lapwing, a Woodcock, a Merlin, a Hooded Crow, 24 Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, 2 Treecreeper, 80 Blackbird, 8 Fieldfare, 8 Song Thrush, 6 Redwing, a Stonechat, 11 Rock Pipit, 4 Brambling, 6 Siskin and a Corn Bunting. Going east were 4 Brent Goose and 13 Pink-footed Goose; and south 10 Pintail and 6 Siskin.

A rain-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 8 new birds: 5 Goldcrest, a Linnet and 2 Blackbird; and 3 retraps: 2 Goldcrest and a Robin.

A rain-shortened morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 13 new birds: a Goldcrest, 2 Goldfinch, a Robin, a Chaffinch, a Song Thrush and 7 Blackbird; and 11 retraps: 6 Great Tit, a Blue Tit, 2 Blackbird, a Goldcrest and a Long-tailed Tit.