Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory Blog

Early November 2022

November 10th. Moderately strong south-westerly wind, with mid morning rain.

Off of Croftmarsh early morning came 2500 Pink-footed Goose. There followed an excellent spell of southerly migration involving 8 Whooper Swan, 2 Razorbill, 4390 Woodpigeon, a Buzzard, 4 Swallow, Siskin, Redpoll and Chaffinch. Two Waxwing south down the West Dunes were the highlight. Fairly quiet offshore, but 2 Great Northern Diver arrived separately from the north and joined the raft of feeding Cormorant. Also around were a Sparrowhawk, 6 Goldcrest, a Merlin and 4 Stonechat. 2 Swallow arrived during the afternoon and were feeding around Sykes Farm and we received news that a White-tailed Eagle had been tracked over Jackson's Marsh around mid-day. This bird an immature female (G542) from the isle of Wight scheme.

A wind-shortened morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 4 new birds: 2 Goldcrest, a Song Thrush and a Blackbird; and 4 retraps: a Goldcrest and 3 Blackbird.

Sparrowhawk, 10th November 2022.
Photo - Tom Baker

Ringing Control: Goldcrest, ringed Theddlethorpe, Lincolnshire 12 October 2021, controlled GPBO 10 October 2022.

November 9th.

2,500 Pink-footed Geese left the roost early morning. Vis mig involved very good numbers of Siskins and Woodpigeons with other Finches, Rock Pipits, Skylarks and 4 Swallows. Around the Reserve were 4 Stonechat and 2 Cetti's Warbler.

A rain-shortened sheltered morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 2 new birds: a Goldcrest and a Blackbird; and 4 retraps: a Goldcrest, a Great Tit, a Blackbird and a Dunnock.

November 8th. Soggy start, with increasing south-westerly wind.

Birds around included 28 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2500 Pink-footed Goose, 76 Gadwall, a Sparrowhawk, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Merlin, a Peregrine, 4 Goldcrest, 11 Robin, 3 Stonechat, a Song Thrush, 2 Redwing and 9 Blackbird. On Tennyson's Sands was a Fieldfare. Heading south were 2 Marsh Harrier, 3 Fieldfare, 14 Red-breasted Merganser, a Swallow and 55 Siskin.

November 7th. Soggy start, with moderately strong south-westerly wind.

An hour's watch from Mill Hill early morning was productive. Flying south offshore were single Great Northern Diver, Black-throated Diver and Long-tailed Duck, 2 Goldeneye, 25 Whooper Swan and 11 Red-breasted Merganser whilst a light passage down the East Dunes involved Starling, Rock Pipit, Skylark, Chaffinch, Siskin, Redpoll and 2 Swallows. Flying around were 1100 Pink-footed Goose.

A wind-sheltered morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue resulted in 4 new Blackbird; a retrap Robin; and a control Blackbird with an ARNHEM VT HOLLAND ring.

Blackbird with an ARNHEM VT HOLLAND ring, controlled 7 November 2022.
Photo - George Gregory

ARNHEM VT HOLLAND ring, 7 November 2022.
Photo -George Gregory

ARNHEM VT HOLLAND ring, 7 November 2022.
Photo - George Gregory

November 6th. Soggy start, slowly drying out, but remaining overcast.

Over Wainfleet Marsh were 3000 Pink-footed Goose. Around, including birds trapped, were 28 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Blackcap, 4 Goldcrest, a Woodcock, and 5 Blackbird. Heading south were 2 Merlin, a Sandwich Tern, a Black-throated Diver, 4 Snow Bunting, 11 Whooper Swan and a Swallow, with good numbers of Skylark, Chaffinch and Rock Pipit.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 11 new birds: 3 Goldcrest, a Blackcap, 4 Reed Bunting and 3 Blackbird; and 11 retraps: 2 Blackbird, a Dunnock, a Blue Tit, a Great Tit, 2 Robin, 3 Long-tailed Tit and a Goldcrest.

Water Rail, 6th November 2022.

Photo - Tom Baker

Redwing, 6th November 2022.

Photo - Tom Baker

Brent Geese, 6th November 2022.

Photo - Tom Baker

Stonechat, 6th November 2022.

Photo - Tom Baker

November 5th. Off from Croftmarsh came 1000+ Pink-footed Goose and 20 Whooper Swan. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Hen Harrier, a Blackcap, 3 Bearded Tit, a Goldcrest, a Redwing, a Song Thrush and 9 Blackbird.

A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 12 new birds: 2 Long-tailed Tit, a Goldcrest, a Blackcap, a Redwing, 2 Song Thrush and 5 Blackbird; and 6 retraps: 4 Blackbird, a Long-tailed Tit and a Great Tit.

Woodpigeons, 5th November 2022.
Photo - Jason Virgin

November 4th. Flying around in various directions were 2000 Pink-footed Goose; and south 10 Whooper Swan, 2 Brambling, 4 Lesser Redpoll and 12 Siskin. Around, including birds trapped, were 22 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Woodcock, a Sparrowhawk, a Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 Blackcap, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Robin, a Stonechat, 4 Song Thrush, 2 Redwing, 36 Blackbird and a Bullfinch. 6 Goosander flew south offshore having been seen earlier passing Huttoft.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 26 new birds: a Wren, 3 Goldcrest, a Lesser Redpoll, a Robin, 4 Chaffinch, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Blackcap, 4 Song Thrush, a Redwing and 7 Blackbird; and 7 retraps: a Great Tit, a Blue Tit, 3 Blackbird, a Wren and a Robin.

November 3rd. Rain until late morning.

Starling, Finches and Skylark were moving south after the rain had passed and there were still plenty of Robin around the west side. A Marsh Harrier also went south. Other birds around included 1100 Pink-footed Goose on Croftmarsh, 4 Water Rail (3 on Tennyson's Sands and 1 on the Mere), a Whimbrel, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Short-eared Owl, 22 Redwing, 15 Siskin, a Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, 3 Stonechat, and 30 Blackbird. The highlight at sea was a Black-throated Diver.

November 2nd. Moderately strong south-westerly wind, later increasing.

The main theme of the morning's migration watch concerned Woodpigeon - going south in many flocks exceeding 500 and a total approaching 27,000! Skylark, Rock Pipit, Goldfinch, Chaffinch and Siskin were also passing in good numbers. The highlight of passage was a Snow Bunting. Offshore 3 Velvet Scoter arrived from the north and landed on the sea, having been seen passing Huttoft some 45 minutes earlier. Also heading south were 8 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 120 Pink-footed Goose, a Goosander, a Red-breasted Merganser, 27 Whooper Swan, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Arctic Tern and a Sandwich Tern. Around, including birds trapped, were 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Peregrine, 4 Goldcrest, 2 Robin, 2 Stonechat, 2 Redwing, a Song Thrush, a Chiffchaff, a Swallow, a Firecrest and 5 Blackbird. In off the sea came a Fieldfare.

A wind-sheltered morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 13 new birds: 4 Goldcrest, a Wren, a Robin, 2 Redwing, a Song Thrush and 4 Blackbird; and 4 retraps: 2 Wren, a Blackbird and a Robin.

Peregrine, 2 November 2022.
Photo - Tom Baker

Whooper Swans, 2nd November 2022.
Photo - Nige Lound

Lapwing, 2nd November 2022.
Photo - Tom Baker

Woodpigeon migration, 2nd November 2022.
Photo - Nige Lound

Stonechat, 2nd November 2022.
Photo - Tom Baker

November 1st. Strong south-westerly wind.

Birds around included 90 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 210 Pink-footed Goose, a Sandwich Tern, an Arctic Tern, a Goldcrest, 2 Robin, a Redwing, a Fieldfare, 3 Blackbird and a Siskin. Flying south were 2 Goldeneye.

Fieldfare, 1 November 2022.
Photo - Tom Baker

Siskin, 1 November 2022.

Photo - Tom Baker

Teal and Shoveler, 1 November 2022.
Photo - Tom Baker

Brent Geese, 1 November 2022.

Photo - Tom Baker

Late October 2022.

October 31st. Increasing, then decreasing, south-westerly wind, but pleasant, dry and becoming bright.

A fairly typical late autumn day with moderate overland passage of Passerines, Pink-footed Goose flocks heading out across the Wash, and a scattering of winter Thrushes and Goldcrest. Numbers of Waders, e.g. Redshank and Bar-tailed Godwit, and Wildfowl, e.g. Wigeon and Teal, are increasingly using the new Outer Runnel for feeding and loafing. Offshore small numbers of Gannet were moving south and a party of 3 close Arctic Skua was the highlight of the day. Also around, including birds trapped, were 20 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Blackcap, 27 Goldcrest, 5 Robin, 2 Redwing, a Song Thrush and 16 Blackbird.

A wind-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 29 new birds: 11 Goldcrest, a Wren, 4 Robin, a Goldfinch, a Dunnock, a Redwing, a Song Thrush and 9 Blackbird; and 10 retraps: a Wren, 4 Blackbird, a Redwing, a Robin, a Blackcap, a Long-tailed Tit and a Chaffinch.

A longer, wind-sheltered ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling and Robyn Dalton yielded 16 new birds: 10 Goldcrest, a Blackcap, a Blue Tit, 2 Lesser Redpoll, a Redwing and a Blackbird; and 9 retraps: 6 Goldcrest, a Great Tit and 2 Blackbird.

Stonechat, 31st October 2022.
Photo - Tom Baker

October 30th. Increasing south-westerly wind.

Another good morning for visible migration of Finches, Skylark, Starling and Pipits, with over 5000 Woodpigeon and a late Sandwich Tern passing offshore. A single Waxwing flew south. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Blackcap, 32 Goldcrest, 50 Robin, 6 Song Thrush, 30 Blackbird and 24 Lesser Redpoll. From the Wash Viewpoint late afternoon, three ringtail Hen harriers and four Marsh Harriers. 600 Pink-footed Geese came in to roost.

A wind-shortened morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, with Liam Andrews, provided 51 new birds: 11 Goldcrest, 3 Robin, a Blackcap, 24 Lesser Redpoll, a Song Thrush and 11 Blackbird; and 5 retraps: 2 Robin, a Wren, a Blackbird and a Goldcrest.

Overnight moth-trapping by Nige Lound produced another amazing county record - a Crimson Speckled.

Crimson Speckled, 30th October 2022.
Photo - Mark Bibby

October 29th. Rain until mid morning.

Around Millennium Ridge on the morning high tide were 250 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 4 Eider, 468 Wigeon, 13 Pintail , 89 Teal, a Peregrine, 3 Marsh Harrier, 3450 Grey Plover, 5500 Bar-tailed Godwit, 4000 Dunlin, 1500 Sanderling, 20000 Knot, 22 Turnstone, 3500 Oystercatcher, an Arctic Tern and a Lapland Bunting. Other birds around included a Bearded Tit on the Mere, 4 Blackcap and reasonable numbers of Thrushes and Goldcrest.

October 28th. Increasing southerly to south-westerly wind, with a mid morning rainy spell.

Around, including birds trapped, were a ringtail Hen Harrier, 4 Marsh Harrier, 1450 Pink-footed Goose in to roost, 1200 Lapwing, a Woodcock, a Sparrowhawk, 20 Goldcrest, 60 Robin, 25 Redwing, 6 Song Thrush, 40 Blackbird, a Brambling and 25 Lesser Redpoll.

A weather-shortened morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, with Liam Andrews, produced 21 new birds: 2 Goldcrest, a Wren, 2 Robin, a Chaffinch, 5 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Redwing and 8 Blackbird; and 9 retraps: a Wren, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Robin, a Song Thrush, 2 Blackbird and a Dunnock.

Lesser Redpoll, ringed 28 October 2022.
Photo - George Gregory

October 27th. Occasional spells of light rain in morning.

A noticeable arrival of Goldcrest this morning with over 50 on the west side and 22 new birds trapped in the East Dunes during a short ringing session. Small numbers of new Brambling, Blackbird, Song Thrush and Redwing were arriving and plenty of Robin were still apparent. 600 Pink-footed Geese left the roost on Croftmarsh at dawn, and 40,000 waders had come up to roost. Other birds around, including those trapped, were 13 Long-tailed Tit, 15 Song Thrush, 30 Blackbird, a Kingfisher, a Peregrine, 2 Coal Tit, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Stonechat and 10 Greenfinch. Going south were 8 Brambling and 40 Siskin amongst a modest movement of Pipits, Finches and Skylark.

A rain-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, resulted in 41 new birds: 22 Goldcrest, a Wren, 7 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Robin, a Chaffinch, 3 Reed Bunting, a Greenfinch, a Song Thrush and 3 Blackbird; and 17 retraps: 2 Blackbird, 2 Wren, 3 Goldcrest, 3 Robin, 6 Long-tailed Tit and a Blue Tit.

Roe Deer. Photo - Ste Taylor

October 26th. Quite strong south-westerly wind, slowly decreasing.

A much quieter day than yesterday, with overland migration continuing at a slower pace Around were 30+ Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Sparrowhawk, 25 Goldcrest and 40 Redwing. Heading south were 16 Pink-footed Goose, 8 Lapwing, a Marsh harrier, 3 Whooper Swan, 2 House Martin and a Grey Wagtail. the evening roost held 1300 Sanderling.

Overnight moth-trapping produced migrant Gem and Small Mottled Willow.

Gem, 25th October 2022.
Photo - Nige Lound

Small Mottled Willow, 25th October 2022.
Photo - Nige Lound

Stonechat. 26th October 2022.
Photo - Tom Baker

October 25th. A very pleasant, dry morning with a south-westerly breeze.

Visible migration was underway from dawn with a very intense throughput of Skylark, Rock Pipit, Goldfinch, Linnet, Chaffinches, Redpoll, Siskin, Greenfinch and Reed Bunting. The first big day for Woodpigeon with several flocks of 300+, 7 Swallow, 5 House Martin, 12 Brambling, a Merlin, a Buzzard and 2 Marsh Harrier also went south along with 2 Twite, a Snow Bunting and a Bearded Tit. Other birds around, including those trapped, were a Hawfinch around Sykes Farm, a Yellow-browed Warbler with the tit flock along the road edge, 65 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2000+ Black-headed Gull, 50 Goldcrest, a Cetti's Warbler, a Blackcap, 10 Song Thrush, 60 Redwing and 85 Blackbird.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Liam Andrews, provided 50 new birds: 26 Goldcrest, a Wren, a Cetti's Warbler, 4 Robin, 2 Reed Bunting, a Blackcap, a Song Thrush and 14 Blackbird; and 4 retraps: 2 Goldcrest, a Blackbird and a Robin.

Ringing Controls: Long-tailed Tit (2), ringed Theddlethorpe, Lincolnshire 10 October 2022, controlled GPBO 19 October 2022.

Goldcrest, 25th October 2022.

Photo - Ste Taylor

Siskin, 25th October 2022.
Photo - Ste Taylor

Starlings, 25th October 2022.
Photo - Tom Baker

Sparrowhawk 25th October 2022.
Photo - Tom Baker

October 24th. Moderately strong south-westerly breeze with some rain showers in the morning and a brighter afternoon.

The day was unusual in so much as visible migration seemed to been more intense early afternoon than in the morning. Maybe birds had delayed movement pending more prolonged clear conditions. In one and a quarter hours from 1245hrs southerly passage involve 112 Siskin, 114 Goldfinch, 251 Skylark, 16 Redpoll, 111 Linnet, 38 Chaffinch, 18 Meadow Pipit, 83 Rock Pipit, 9 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 200 Starling, 2 Buzzard, a Sparrowhawk, a Kestrel, a male Hen Harrier and a Great White Egret.

A rain-shortened morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 37 new birds: a Goldcrest, 11 Long-tailed Tit, 5 Robin, 3 Blue Tit, 4 Redwing and 13 Blackbird; and 6 retraps: 2 Robin, a Dunnock and 3 Long-tailed Tit.

October 23rd. Moderate south-easterly wind. Rain from around 0900hrs becoming very heavy at times.

This morning's planned fieldwork was interrupted by a report of cows on the Cycletrack! After successfully returning them to the grazing enclosure, rain then prevented any recording. However, it was apparent that Finches and Larks were still on the move and good numbers of Thrushes remained on the Reserve, including at least one Ring Ouzel. Along the roadside late afternoon were a Yellow-browed Warbler and a Firecrest as yesterday.

Ringing Recovery: Starling, ringed GPBO 2 July 2021, found dead North Somercotes, Lincolnshire 10 October 2022.

October 22nd. Increasing south-westerly wind.

Visible migration involved high numbers of Skylark and Rock Pipit heading south between 0830 and 1030hrs, with good numbers of Chaffinch, Linnet, Goldfinch and Siskin. A Snow Bunting and 3 Swallow also passed south. Due to the intensity of the overland migration, little attention was paid to the sea or dunes on the east side, but there was a clearly a considerable movement of Black-headed, Common and Herring Gull, with more wildfowl arriving, including small groups of Pintail. 14 Whooper Swan were noted going south, as well as 2 Black Swan!

Birds around, including those trapped, were a Black Redstart (still around the Visitor Centre), a Mealy Redpoll, 2 Ring Ouzel, a Yellow-browed Warbler (Gibraltar Road edge north of Aylmer Avenue), a Great White Egret, 40 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a ringtail Hen Harrier, 2 Peregrine, a Kingfisher, a Merlin, a Blackcap, 30 Goldcrest, 500 Redwing and 300 Blackbird. Over Wainfleet Marsh were 500 Pink-footed Goose. Heading south were 240 Lapwing.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 12 new birds: 3 Goldcrest, a Blackcap, 2 Redwing and 6 Blackbird; and 3 retraps: a Blackbird, a Goldcrest and a Robin.

Late afternoon, roadside trees held a Yellow-browed Warbler, a Firecrest and a Willow Warbler.

A Tunbridge Wells Gem trapped overnight is the first record for Lincolnshire.

Hen Harrier, 22nd October 2022.

Photo - Paul Neale

https://www.flickr.com/photos/95817106@N08/

Tunbridge Wells Gem, 22nd October 2022.

Photo - Nige Lound

October 21st. Soggy start, gradually drying out.

Either grounded or flying around were many thrushes (mostly Blackbird and Redwing), Robin and Goldcrest. Also around were 30 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 7 Ring Ouzel, a Long-eared Owl (West Dunes), a Cetti's Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff , a Snow Bunting and 12 Brambling. On the Mere were 2 Water Rail, a Green Sandpiper, a Bearded Tit and a Kingfisher and on Jackson's Marsh, a Common Sandpiper. Out of the Mere roost came 4500 Starling. Flying south were 75 Pink-footed Goose and a Siskin. A Black Redstart was a new arrival at the Visitor Centre.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 81 new birds: 28 Goldcrest, a Wren, 13 Robin, a Blackcap, a Blue Tit, a Great Tit, 8 Redwing, a Song Thrush and 27 Blackbird; and 8 retraps: 3 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Robin and a Blue Tit.

A large Atlantic Blue-fin Tuna was found washed up on the beach at the north end beach.

Black Redstart, 21st October 2022.
Photo- Jack Hood

Atlantic Blue-fin Tuna, 21st October 2022.
Photo - M Spence

Mid October 2022

October 20th. Rain overnight, clearing just after dawn for an hour before light drizzle turned into storm conditions.

Limited opportunity for recording, given the weather throughout much of the day, but the theme of grounded and arriving thrushes continued, with an estimate of 2100 Redwing. 5 Ring Ouzel were new arrivals (2 in the Plantation and 3 in East Dunes). A Jack Snipe was on the Mere with another on New Saltmarsh. A Tree Pipit type called near Mill Hill. Visibility was poor offshore, but a brief watch indicated that wildfowl were still arriving. A clear spell in the evening allowed more coverage and counting of more Thrushes and Finches. A Yellow-browed Warbler was along the road edge at Aylmer and another Ring Ouzel was found at Shoveler's Pool. Single Swallow and House Martin flew south, but a Swift sp moving slowly south over East Dunes was a surprise. Going east was a Whooper Swan. Also around were 255 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Sparrowhawk. a Chiffchaff and 18 Goldcrest.

Sparrowhawk, 20th October 2022.
Photo - Nige Lound

October 19th. Moderately strong easterly wind.

A very good arrival of Thrushes was apparent from early morning, with hundreds of Redwing and Blackbird continuing to arrive during the day, with smaller numbers of Fieldfare, Song Thrush and Brambling - a flock of 17 Bramblings were seen to drop into the North Car Park area early morning. The first 3 Woodcock of the autumn were seen, a Hawfinch flew over the West Dunes, a Yellow-browed Warbler was along the Cycle Track, a Ring Ouzel was in the Plantation and a Bearded Tit was on Tennyson's Sands. Other birds around, including those trapped, were 35 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 550 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Snipe, 4 Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, a Short-eared Owl, 2 Swallow, 5 Blackcap, 15 Goldcrest, 2 Stonechat and 2 Water Rail. Heading south were 62 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Grey Heron and a scattering of Rock Pipit and Skylark; and south-west 2 Short-eared Owl. Offshore a Pomarine Skua and 3 Goldeneye flew south, with flocks of Wigeon, Teal and Common Scoter.

A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 14 new birds: a Wren, 3 Goldcrest, a Long-tailed Tit, 2 Blackcap, a Blue Tit, a Robin, 4 Redwing and a Blackbird; 13 retraps: 4 Goldcrest, a Dunnock, a Redwing, a Blue Tit and 6 Long-tailed Tit; and 2 control Long-tailed Tit.

October 18th. Another excellent morning for 'vis-mig' with southbound Pipits, Skylark and Finches, an arrival of over 100 Whooper Swan and a big morning for Woodpigeon immigration. Five Bearded Tit flew high south. Around, including birds trapped, were 32 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Ring Ouzel (East Dunes), a Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, 6 Goldcrest, 4 Redwing, a Song Thrush and 2 Yellowhammer. Off of or over the estuary were 1000+ Pink-footed Goose. 6 Bewick's Swan flew over the Wash at midday.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 34 new birds: 2 Wren, 6 Goldcrest, 8 Long-tailed Tit, a Chiffchaff, 7 Reed Bunting, a Blackcap, a Chaffinch, 2 Yellowhammer, a Dunnock, 4 Redwing and a Song Thrush; and a retrap Long-tailed Tit.

October 17th. Moderately strong south-westerly wind.

A good overland passage of migrants again this morning with Rock Pipit featuring prominently and an increase in Siskin along with plentiful Goldfinch, Linnet, Chaffinch and Meadow Pipit. A few Redwing, Song Thrush and Brambling were new in. Offshore, wildfowl and waders were moving south, predominantly Wigeon and Knot but with small parties of Pintail and a group of 3 Ruff along the beach. Several Red-throated Diver and 2 Black-throated Diver were on the sea and a Slavonian Grebe close in south were the highlights. Other birds around, including those trapped, were a Spotted Redshank, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Chiffchaff, a Blackcap and 7 Goldcrest. Off of Croftmarsh early morning came 1000+ Pink-footed Goose. Also going south were a Grey Heron, a Red Kite, a Grey Wagtail and 6 Redpoll.

A wind-restricted morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 12 new birds: 3 Wren, 5 Goldcrest, a Dunnock, a Song Thrush and 2 Redwing; and 3 retraps: a Wren, a Blue Tit and a Robin.

Overnight, a Clifden Nonpareil was trapped.

October 16th. Fairly strong south-westerly wind.

Off of the Mere came 600 Pink-footed Goose. Around were 36 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Sparrowhawk, a Chiffchaff, a Goldcrest, 22 Redwing, 4 Stonechat and 3 Song Thrush. Heading south were 185 Pink-footed Goose, 118 Whooper Swan, a Goosander, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard, 2 Raven (down West Dunes), 11 Swallow, 24 House Martin, 2 Brambling, 7 Siskin and a Lapland Bunting; and west 25 Pink-footed Goose.

Stonechats 16th October 2022.
Photos - Paul Johnson

Tree Sparrow, 16th October 2022.
Photo - Paul Johnson

Lesser Redpoll, 16th October 2022.
Photo - Paul Johnson

October 15th. Increasing south-westerly wind.

Off the Mere early came 600 Pink-footed Goose. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Marsh Harrier, a Peregrine, a Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, 4 Goldcrest, a Song Thrush, 2 Fieldfare and 21 Redwing. Flying west were 85 Pink-footed Goose; and south a Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, 21 Swallow, 14 House Martin, 30 Rock Pipit and 17 Siskin.

A wind-shortened morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 6 new birds: 3 Goldcrest, a Blackcap, a Redwing and a Woodpigeon; and 3 retraps: a Goldcrest, a Dunnock and a Great Tit.

Young Woodpigeon (no adult neck patch yet), ringed 15 October 2022.
Photo - George Gregory

October 14th. Around, including birds trapped, were 47 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 665 Pink-footed Goose, a Long-eared Owl (over East Dunes at dawn), 2 Cetti's Warbler, 11 Goldcrest, 66 Redwing and a Song Thrush. On Tennyson's Sands were a Water Rail, 3 House Martin and a Cetti's Warbler. Heading south were 2 Whooper Swan, a Sparrowhawk, a Marsh Harrier, a Swallow, 12 Tree Sparrow and 5 Siskin; north a Merlin; and northwest 160 Pink-footed Goose.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Christine Flint and Carole Lunn, resulted in 18 new birds: 11 Goldcrest, a Wren, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Reed Bunting, a Song Thrush and a Redwing; and 3 retraps: 2 Dunnock and a Redwing.

Pink-footed Geese at roost on the Mere at dawn, 14th October 2022.
Photo - Nige Lound

Cetti's Warbler, ringed 14 October 2022.
Photo - George Gregory

Ringing Control: Starling, ringed GPBO 9 June 2022, controlled Wyberton, Lincolnshire 9 October 2022.

Ringing Control: Reed Bunting, ringed near North Somercoates, Lincolnshire 24 September 2022, controlled GPBO 8 October 2022.

October 13th. Off of Croftmarsh early morning came 3400 Pink-footed Goose. Birds around, including those trapped, were a 9 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Sparrowhawk, a Marsh Harrier, a Kingfisher, a Merlin, a Peregrine, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 11 Goldcrest, 57 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Blackbird, a Lesser Redpoll and a Snow Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands were a Marsh Harrier and a Spoonbill; on Jackson's Marsh a Grey Wagtail; and on Fenland Lagoon a Peregrine. Flying south were 12 Whooper Swan, 30 Pink-footed Goose, a Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank and 3 Redpoll.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, provided 12 new birds: a Wren, a Goldcrest, 3 Robin, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Redwing, a Song Thrush and 2 Blackbird; and 3 retraps: a Blackbird, a Great Tit and a Wren.

A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, by Christine Flint and Carole Lunn provided 36 new birds: 3 Wren, 9 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, 3 Long-tailed Tit, a Lesser Redpoll, 2 Blackcap, 7 Goldfinch, a Blue Tit, 2 Chaffinch, a Dunnock and 6 Redwing; and 9 retraps: 2 Great Tit, 3 Goldfinch, a Goldcrest, a Song Thrush, a Redwing and a Green Woodpecker.

Peregrine and Magpie at kill, 13 October 2022.
Photo - Tom Baker

October 12th. Increasing south-westerly wind.

Off of Croftmarsh and the Mere early morning came 3800 Pink-footed Goose. Around, including birds trapped, were 21 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Little Gull, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, 5 Goldcrest, 29 Redwing, 4 Song Thrush, a Grey Wagtail and a Lesser Redpoll. On Tennyson's Sands were a Bearded Tit and a Cetti's Warbler. Going south were 4 Whooper Swan, 2 Buzzard and 2 Marsh Harrier; and north-west 700 Pink-footed Goose..

A wind-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Kyle Campbell, produced 9 new birds: a Wren, 2 Chiffchaff, a Goldcrest, 3 Meadow Pipit, a Dunnock and a Redwing; and 4 retraps: a Wren, a Blackbird and 2 Dunnock.

A wind-shortened morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Christine Flint and Carole Lunn produced 19 new birds: 3 Goldcrest, 11 Goldfinch, a Lesser Redpoll, a Great Tit, a Blackcap and 2 Redwing; and 2 retraps: a Goldcrest and a Goldfinch.

Long-tailed Tit, 12 October 2022.
Photo - Tom Baker

Redwing 12th October 2022.
Photo - Tom Baker

Wader flock on morning tide, 12th October 2022.
Photo - Jim Shaw

Sand-running Crab Spider (Philodromus fallax), 12th October 2022.
Photo - Ciara Finn

October 11th. Off of Croftmarsh early morning came 2500 Pink-footed Goose. Birds around, including those trapped, were 2 Sparrowhawk, 9 Chiffchaff, 8 Blackcap, 15 Goldcrest, 12 Song Thrush, 56 Redwing, 2 Blackbird and 3 Lesser Redpoll. Heading south were good numbers of Pipits, Skylark and Finches, an Arctic Tern and several groups of Whooper Swan totaling 159; and north-west 20 Pink-footed Goose.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 23 new birds: 6 Wren, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, 2 Robin, 2 Dunnock, a Song Thrush, 6 Redwing and a Blackbird.

A long ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Christine Flint and Carole Lunn yielded 48 new birds: 5 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, a Wren, 4 Blackcap, 2 Chaffinch, 3 Blue Tit, 8 Goldfinch, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Linnet, a Robin, 3 Greenfinch, 10 Redwing, a Song Thrush and 2 Blackbird; and 5 retraps: 2 Great Tit, 2 Goldcrest and a Goldfinch.

Whooper Swans, 11 October 2022.
Photo - Tom Baker

Whooper Swan juvenile, 11th October 2022.
Photo - Steve Taylor

Whooper Swan adult, 11th October 2022.
Photo Steve - Taylor

Pink-footed Geese, 11th October 2022.

Photo - Tom Baker

Redwing, 11th October 2022.

Photo - Kev Wilson

Lesser Redpoll, ringed 11 October 2022.
Photo - Carole Lunn