Saturday 16th November 2019

With autumn grinding to a halt a fairly typical mid November selection of new migrants including 7 Chaffinch, 5 Goldcrest, 3 Fieldfare, Song Thrush & an early morning Hawfinch that did not loiter on site. Another 7 Long-tailed Tit passed through. 4 Snow Bunting, 2 Rock Pipit & Purp remained plus the lingering Chiffchaff. A few passerines were heading south including 42 Goldfinch, 9 Mipit & Siskin. Offshore southbound 20 Brent, 15 Teal, 6 Gannet, 5 Shelduck, 4 Red-throated Diver, 2 Tufted Duck & Common Scoter with northbound 5 Brent & 2 Red-throats.

Ringing: 7 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Chaffinch, 1 Blackbird, 1 Robin, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Wood Pigeon.

Friday 15th November 2019

Interesting under tail coverts on this Ring Ouzel which may suggest a different race although, as I am under the impression that, all previous British records of Turdus torquatus alpestris have been binned by the ornithological powers that be then investigations will have to continue. Handful of other migrants present including 6 Lapwing, 2 Fieldfare, Blackcap, Blackbird & Goldcrest plus 350 Starling & a Swallow in off the sea. Offshore interest was another Puffin hacking north not to far out plus a supporting cast of southbound 107 Brent, 68 Common Scoter, 47 Wigeon, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Shelduck, 3 Black-headed Gull, 2 Common Gull & Gannet with northbound 43 Common Scoter, 27 Wigeon, 24 Teal, 10 Dunlin, 7 Gannet, Lesser Black-backed Gull & Red-throated Diver. At least 18 Gannet and a Bonxie were following shipping with the mass of big gulls. 3,500 Cormorants headed out to sea fishing mostly to the north of us which is a bit inconsiderate of them. On the reserve 4 Snow Bunting, 2 Turnstone, Purple Sandpiper, Rock Pipit plus a Chiffchaff that has been with us since November 3rd.

Ringing: 1 Blackcap, 1 Blackbird, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Ring Ouzel.

Thursday 14th November 2019

Despite the torrential rain  & south-easterly gale Suffolk's greatest ornithological spectacle didn't disappoint with at least 3,150 Cormorant heading out to sea fishing. Wind dropped & torrential rain turned into showers which allowed some birding but not a lot apparent in the migrant department with 2 Redwing & Woodcock the highlight. 6 Snow Bunting are on the beach. Offshore at least 2,500 Herring & 1,000 Great Black-backed Gulls giving a couple of Bonxies plenty of potential victims. Next to no offshore movements although a Great-northern Diver went north not to far out.

Light Brown Apple Moth is another Australian adventive first noted in this country in the 1930's and now noted almost all year round. It can be very common earlier in the season.

Ringing: nil

Wednesday 13th November 2019

Yet another 37 Long-tailed Tit passed through this morning. All autumn we have had no repeat offenders but two individuals with one of the flocks were originally ringed here back in October so have joined up with a different wandering flock. Otherwise migrants limited to 2 Chiffchaff plus new Blacky, Songie & Blue Tit plus yesterdays Goldcrest and Bullfinch from a couple of days back still here. Vis mig limited to southbound 54 Goldfinch, 7 Chaffinch, 5 Mipit & Siskin. 5 Snow Bunting still on the beach with 2 Purps, 2 Turnstone & Rock Pipit by the point to keep the photographers entertained. 2,816 Cormorant went out to sea fishing with the conclusion being that there is a load of Herring out by the sand bars to fill them up on a daily basis.

Ringing: 20 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Blackbird, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Song Thrush.

Tuesday 12th November2019

In the absence of much else you are going to have to put up with Snow Bunt photos with 5 posing on the beach. 2,813 Cormorant went out to sea fishing more or less on mass which is a far more impressive sight but impossible to get them all in one photo. Otherwise an incredibly predictable morning with new migrants limited to a couple of new Blackies, Songie, Goldcrest & Robin plus the Bullfinch from a couple of days ago still with us. Vis mig confined to southbound 61 Goldfinch & 3 Chaffinch with offshore movements pathetic and confined to southbound 2 Brent & Red-throated Diver. 2,000 big gulls plus 4 Gannet following shipping might hold something more interesting but with the currant bun straight out in the morning its difficult to identify anything.

Ringing: 2 Blackbird, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Robin, 1 Song Thrush.

Monday 11th November 2019

Wet start followed by an increasing chilly wind. Amongst 2,000 large gulls offshore were at least 28 Gannet & 3 Bonxie. Also offshore southbound 15 Wigeon, 6 Brent, 6 Red-throated Diver & Knot with northbound 15 Common Scoter & Red-throated Diver. On site at least 6 Redwing plus a couple of new Blackies & Songies. 5 Snow Bunting on the beach with no photographers following them around for the first time in days - I wonder why ! Also on the beach 2 Ringos on the rising tide.

Tachystola acroxantha is an abundantly common Australian adventive species with this worn one inside the observatory watch point rather than outside in these conditions.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 1 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush.

Sunday 10th November 2019

Pleasant morning although few new migrants on site. Yet another gang of Long-tailed Tit turned up with a supporting cast of 4 Chaffinch, 2 Bullfinch, Blackcap, Brambling, Chiffchaff, Fieldfare, Snipe, Tree Sparrow & Woodcock with 3 Purps on the point plus the 4 Snow Bunting on the beach. Like yesterday 5 Lapwing on the reserve were shifted by the first dog walkers of the morning. Vis mig + offshore movements minimal with southbound 5 Mipit, 3 Linnet, 2 Goldfinch & Skylark and northbound 16 Common Scoter, 15 Carrion Crow 3 Gannet & Guillemot.

Ringing: 10 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Blackcap, 1 Bullfinch, 1 Robin, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Wood Pigeon.