Wednesday 29th October 2025

The first of three Little Auk to whizz past South along the beach - it is one, promise!

Day began with the usual 136 Cormorants heading out to sea. Thankfully the rain held off till around 10:00 which gave us time to spot a bit of stuff on the move. A couple Brambling and 3 Crossbill noted moving South alongside other finches. Those being 231 Goldfinch, 56 Chaffinch, 49 Redpoll, 56 Siskin and a Greenfinch. Other migrants include 4 Blackbird, 2 Firecrest, 46 Meadow Pipit, 8 Redwing, 6 Skylark, 2 Snipe and 2 Swallow.

The 3 Little Auk offshore naturally caused a bit of excitement. Also 3 Brent Goose, 12 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Grey Plover, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Ringed Plover and 2 Purple Sandpiper on the point.

Chestnut is scarce here but can be seen on the wing from now onwards throughout the Winter.

Ringing: 4 Blackbird, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Firecrest, 2 Goldcrest, 13 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush.

Tuesday 28th October 2025

 

Another 'Finchy' type of morning as we observed 591 Goldfinch heading South. Among them 9 Brambling, 25 Chaffinch, 5 Greenfinch, 49 Lesser Redpoll and 25 Siskin. A single Snow Bunting was seen in/off and late morning a female Hen Harrier was moving South at sea. Other migrants 6 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, 9 Fieldfare, 8 Goldcrest, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail, 54 Meadow Pipit, 9 Redwing, 1 Rock Pipit, 34 Starling, 5 Song Thrush, 1 Sparrowhawk, 27 Skylark, 1 Stonechat and a Purple Sandpiper on the point. 

Offshore 21 Brent Goose, 128 Cormorant, 3 Common Gull, 4 Gannet, 15 Great Black-back, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Little Egret, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Med Gull, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Red-throated Diver, 18 Shelduck and 6 Wigeon.

Ringing: 1 Blue Tit, 1 Blackbird, 4 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest, 6 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Robin.

Monday 27th October 2025

 

Westerly gale getting "worser & worser" as the morning progressed. Vis mig & offshore movements almost non-existent with birding in the bushes very difficult although 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Firecrest & 2 Goldcrest noted.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird.

RINGING RECOVERIES

Blackcap ringed Slapton, Devon 1st October 2025 was retrapped 392 km away at LBO 13th October 2025 is a classic example of late autumn wanderings in random directions that this species is prone to in recent times.

Lesser Redpoll ringed Thorpe Marsh, South Yorkshire 27th September 2025 was retrapped 244 km away at LBO 18th October 2025 on it's autumn migration.

Also a couple of Blue & Great Tit ringed at Trimley Marshes  this autumn have hedge hoped around the dock to visit us on their autumnal wanderings.

Sunday 26th October 2025

 

Decent vis mig on a sunny cold morning included southbound 4,225 Wood Pigeon, 594 Goldfinch, 118 Redpoll, 69 Stock Dove (at least as they were mixing in with the Woodies), 40 Siskin, 37 Mipit, 35 Black-headed Gull, 31 Linnet, 26 Chaffinch, 9 Skylark, 7 Crossbill, 2 Grey Wag, 2 Reed Bunting, Red Kite & Woodlark plus a Buzzard came in off the sea. On site at least 9 Firecrest, 9 Goldcrest, 5 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, 2 Rock Pipit, Fieldfare, Purple Sand, Song Thrush, Turnstone, Wheatear & an additional Woodlark. Elusive male Pheasant is still with us has never been heard to call which is odd for this species.

Ringing: 6 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Firecrest, 5 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Wren.

Saturday 25th October 2025

 

One of 2 Woodlark today.

A wet start but gradually things began to brighten up. At least 5 Firecrest moving around the compound today. A reasonable selection of autumn migrants passing through such as 50 Goldfinch, 5 Chaffinch, 4 Chiffchaff, 19 Fieldfare, 12 Meadow Pipit, 21 Siskin, 2 Skylark, 45 Redpoll, 2 Redwing, 1 Rock Pipit and a Sparrowhawk. 

Offshore 11 Little Gull went South. Also 87 Black-headed Gull, 6 Brent Goose, 132 Cormorant, 15 Common Gull, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Med Gull and a Red-throated Diver.

Ringing: 12 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Firecrest, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Wren.

Friday 24th October 2025

 

Much cooler morning. 86 Cormorant heading out to sea is indicative of the start of winter. Following the rain & gale yesterday several species took the opportunity to head south including 542 Goldfinch, 109 Black-headed Gull, 57 Stock Dove, 52 Mipit, 26 Siskin, 16 Redpoll, 8 Common Gull, 7 Skylark, 4 Chaffinch, 4 Crossbill, 3 Linnet,  3 Shelduck, Arctic Tern, Brent & Rock Pipit with northbound an Arctic Skua. On site at least 16 Mipit, 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Stock Dove, 2 Rock Pipit, Blackcap, Black Red & Brambling.

Ringing: nil.