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.

Thursday 23rd October 2025

The Purple Sandpiper unfazed by tough conditions on the point.

Rain and strong winds managed to drop in a few bits and bobs about the place. A Marsh Harrier headed North along the beach started the morning and A Short-eared Owl in off the sea ended it. A single House Martin out the front of the obs has a good chance of being the last one this year. Our last one in 2024 was also on the 23rd October. A Ring-necked Parakeet has been here squawking since yesterday evening. Other migrants  1 Brambling, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Fieldfare, 4 Goldcrest, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Lapwing, 3 Meadow Pipit, 2 Redpoll, 5 Redwing, 1 Skylark, 3 Song Thrush and 1 Swallow. 

Offshore 1 Arctic Tern, 1 Common Scoter and 1 Knot.

Satellite is a classic late autumn species.

Ringing: 1 Chiffchaff.

Wednesday 22nd October 2025

 

This Guillemot at the point washed up dead a couple of hours later exemplifying what a tough life it is for auks at sea off Landguard.

Pleasant entertaining session with migrants including southbound 356 Goldfinch, 90 Lesser Redpoll, 32 Mipit, 12 Chaffinch, 10 Skylark, 4 Little Egret, 3 Grey Wag, 3 Rock Pipit, 3 Swallow, 2 Glossy Ibis & Reed Bunting. On site 30 Mipit, 25 Goldcrest, 20 Blackbird, 20 Robin, 8 Blackcap, 4 Firecrest, Black Red, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Purple Sand, Redwing, Reed Bunting, Short-eared Owl, Siskin, Song Thrush, Stonechat, Stock Dove & Woodlark plus yet another volery of Long-tailed Tits passing through. 5 Arctic Tern still feeding in the river between here & Dovercourt. A Ring-necked Parakeet was wizzing around the site late pm.

Second Golden Twin-spot of the autumn, which is a very scarce immigrant here.

Ringing: 30 Lesser Redpoll, 13 Long-tailed Tit, 6 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, 5 Goldcrest, 4 Meadow Pipit, 2 Firecrest, 1 Blackbird, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Great Tit, 1 Robin, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Wood Pigeon.

Tuesday 21st October 2025

Rock Pipit becoming almost daily now.

 Despite the wind being in the South-west migrants continue to arrive. More Goldcrest and a new Firecrest flitting around the bushes while the Yellow-browed and Pallas's seem to have moved on. Purple Sandpiper on the point. A little vismig; 35 Chaffinch, 333 Goldfinch and 25 Skylark overhead. Other migrants include 6 Blackcap, 1 Brambling, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Grey Wagtail, 35 Meadow Pipit, 11 Redpoll, 3 Redwing, 4 Rock Pipit, 5 Siskin and 11 Swallow.

Offshore still 4 Arctic Tern in the river. Also 1 Brent Goose, 2 Curlew, 1 Knot, 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Sanderling and 4 Shelduck.

Blair's Shoulder-knot lives on ornamental conifers and visits us occasionally.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 6 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Firecrest, 11 Goldcrest, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Meadow Pipit, 3 Robin.

 

Monday 20th October 2025

Shower dodging this morning. Mostly "left overs" on site with, as far as we can tell, not a lot new in. Migrants include 9 Chaffinch, 8 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, Firecrest, Pallas's Warbler, Redwing & Yellow-browed Warbler. Southbound 19 Brent, 13 Skylark, 10 Wigeon, 9 Teal, 8 Pochard, 5 Common Gull, 5 Mipit, 2 Dunlin, 2 Swallow & Knot with northbound Common Scoter & Sandwich Tern. 4 Arctic Terns still in the river mouth.

Ringing: nil.

Sunday 19th October 2025

 

Arrival of crests, Robins & "turdus's". Estimates include 50 Goldcrest, 40 Robin, 35 Blackies, 15 Chaffinch, 7 Songies, 4 Chiffchaff, 4 Firecrest, 4 Redwing, 2 Black Reds, 2 Blackcap, 2 Brambling, Rock Pipit, Short-eared Owl (in off) & the long-staying Pallas's Warbler. Southbound 265 Starling, 96 Brent, 45 Skylark, 43 Teal, 27 Wigeon, 20 Swallow,  19 Shelduck, 9 Common Scoter, 8 Shoveler, 7 Common Gull, 5 Red-throated Diver, 4 Mipit, 4 Pintail, 3 Dunlin, 3 Rock Pipit, 2 Knot, Arctic Tern & Snipe.

Yellow-line Quaker is a classic mid-October to mid-November flyer in variable numbers.

Ringing: 38 Goldcrest, 18 Robin, 14 Blackbird, 8 Long-tailed Tit, 6 Song Thrush, 4 Firecrest, 2 Blue Tit, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Great Tit, 1 Redwing.