Monday 12th November 2018

Shaggy Scalycap has appeared in its usual location although it looks like something has been having a little chew !

A Barn Owl hunting pre-dawn is the first one seen here for six years. Some vis mig this morning with southbound 238 Goldfinch, 108 Chaffinch, 63 Siskin, 33 Starling, 28 Mipits, 26 Skylark, 7 Lesser Redpoll, 6 Linnet & 5 Brambling. On site a handful of new Goldcrest plus some leftovers from recent days, 14 Mipit, 4 Greenfinch, 2 Turnstone, Blackcap, Redwing & Woodcock. Offshore tedious, once again, with southbound 3 Brent, 2 Wigeon, Curlew, Gannet, Grey Plover, Oyk & Shelduck, with northbound 5 Brent & Oyk. The bulk of the Cormorants headed out to sea well to the north of us this morning suggesting that the fishing is better up that way at the moment.

11 birds ringed: 6 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Goldcrest, 1 Blackcap, 1 Black-headed Gull.

Sunday 11th September 2018

Scavengers clean up the dead Rabbits (plenty of Rabbits with myxomatosis at the moment).

Heavy showers early on with an increasing wind speed through the morning. A Puffin went north at 0728 hrs and a Great-northern Diver was fishing just offshore for a while before departing south into Essex. Also heading south offshore 7 Brent, 2 Shelduck, 2 Little Egret, Gannet & Knot with northbound 11 Common Scoter, 2 Red-throated Diver & Gannet. Little moving over land but included 19 Starling, 9 Goldfinch, 4 Linnet, 4 Mipit, Chaffinch, Siskin & Swallow. Grounded migrants limited to a handful of Goldcrests but nothing else apparent.

Ringing: 2 Goldcrest, 1 Wren.

Saturday 10th November 2018

Cormorant going out to sea in the morning.

Southwesterly breeze and clearing during the morning after overnight rain. An overnight arrival of Goldcrest in the Observatory compound joined the remainder of the Goldcrest flock that have not yet dispersed from the previous few days, a Rock Pipit was on the groynes at the Butts and a Porpoise was seen offshore during the seawatch.

Noted on the reserve, 50 Goldcrest, 15 Linnet, 3 Meadow Pipit, 3 Redwing, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Med Gull, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Snipe & 1 Sparrowhawk. Going North, 4 Brent Goose & 1 Red-throated Diver. Going out to sea East, 1150 Cormorant. Going South, 24 Starling, 23 Goldfinch, 15 Skylark, 7 Meadow Pipit, 7 Siskin, 6 Brent Goose, 6 Chaffinch, 3 Redpoll & 3 Wigeon.

18 birds ringed: Goldcrest 14, Blackbird 1, Redwing 1, Robin 1, Song Thrush 1.

Friday 9th November 2018

An adult male Black Redstart at the Observatory this morning.

A strong Southeasterly breeze, starting overcast but becoming brighter. A small fall of Goldcrest were in the Observatory compound this morning, a female Firecrest was seen mid morning and three Swallow went South over the reserve.

Noted on the reserve, 70 Goldcrest, 30 Meadow Pipit, 7 Linnet, 2 Redwing, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Firecrest, 1 Med Gull & 1 Snipe. Going North, 6 Common Scoter, 4 Brent Goose, 1 Gannet & 1 Guillemot. Going out to sea East, 1345 Cormorant. Going South, 16 Meadow Pipit, 16 Starling, 14 Siskin, 10 Goldfinch, 5 Brent Goose, 5 Wigeon, 4 Skylark, 3 Black-headed Gull, 3 Common Gull, 3 Swallow, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Redpoll, 2 Shelduck, 1 Linnet & 1 Red-throated Diver.

63 birds ringed: Goldcrest 53, Robin 4, Black Redstart 1, Blackbird 1, Firecrest 1, Goldfinch 1, Redwing 1, Woodpigeon 1.

November 2018 litter pick

Litter Pick this Saturday 10th November 0930 hrs start. Further details on the Events page of www.lbo.org.uk

Thursday 8th November 2018

A Starling on the Butts.

A Southwesterly breeze and clear sky this morning. Two Med Gull were moving between the people fishing on the beach and a Purple Sandpiper was on the jetty dodging the waves that were crashing in on the boulders. Offshore movement and Vismig was quiet this morning.

Noted on the reserve, 20 Goldcrest, 2 Med Gull, 2 Redwing, 1 Blackcap, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Sparrowhawk & 1 Stonechat. Going out to sea East, 725 Cormorant. Going South, 33 Goldfinch, 28 Starling, 17 Woodpigeon, 7 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Lapwing, 4 Meadow Pipit, 3 Teal, 1 Grey Heron & 1 Siskin.

10 birds ringed: Lesser Redpoll 6, Blackbird 2, Dunnock 1, House Sparrow 1.

Wednesday 7th November 2018

More L.a.argentatus have been showing up as the month progresses.

Strong southerly with a dose of rain to start with. Offshore southbound 196 Dunlin, 85 Knot, 7 Wigeon, 4 Gannet, 3 Brent, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Sanderling, 2 Curlew, 2 Teal, 1 Common Scoter & 1 Shelduck with northbound Gannet & Kittiwake. 3 Gannet were offshore with gulls behind shipping and 1432 Cormorant headed out to sea fishing. Land birds consisted of 104 Starling south with the best the bushes had to offer being a small handful of Goldcrests and a Fieldfare.

Ringing: 1 Goldcrest.