November 2nd. Mostly cloudy, with light easterly wind.
Flying north-west early morning were several large skeins of Pink-footed Geese, while two small herds of Whoopers moved south. A morning seawatch was rewarded with 2 Pom Skuas, 3 Arctic Skuas and an Arctic Tern in an hour. Brent geese were arriving in small groups every few minutes and it would have been very interesting to have recorded this movement for longer.
A Snow Bunting was out from Mill Hill. Three Mediterranean Gulls were in front of Harvey's Hide (2 adults and a 1st winter)with good numbers of mixed small gulls. The 2 Goldeneye were still present on Tennyson's Sands with a Great White Egret, whilst on Freshwater Marsh were 2 Water Pipits, a Ring Ouzel and a Woodcock. Thrushes were arriving during the day, predominantly Redwings but Blackbirds increasing later.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 7 new birds: a Wren, a Robin, a Reed Bunting, 2 Redwing and 2 Blackbird; and 2 retraps: a Robin and a Wren.
A Cypress Carpet turned up in the moth trap overnight - another Reserve first.
November 1st. Cloudy, with light south-westerly wind, gradually becoming north-easterly.
Heading south were a Hawfinch and small numbers of thrushes along with 21 Whooper Swans and a Marsh Harrier, and north-west 60+ Pink-footed Geese. A Merlin was out from the Wash Viewpoint, whilst a Lapland Bunting was heard flying over. Three Cattle Egrets were on Croftmarsh with the cattle. Later on they were in front of Harvey's Hide. A Goldeneye was on Jackson's Marsh and another on the Mere.
Towards dusk 700+ Pink footed Geese were flying around, some heading towards the Wash to roost, others coming from the Wash and farmland towards the lagoons to roost. Also a Woodcock was noted just before dark.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 3 new birds: a Redwing and 2 Song Thrush; and a retrap Wren.
