Saturday 29th October 2011

Weather consisted of a light southerly wind, there was much cloud cover. There was early morning mist and fog. Migrants on the move were 6 Whooper Swans, 286 Brent Geese, 15 Shelduck, 2 Wigeon, 7 Teal, 2 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 12 Pintail, 1 Goldeneye, 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Gannet, 3 Cormorant, 1 Shag, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Grey Plover, 8 Knot, 26 Dunlin, 1 Curlew, 1 Sandwich Tern, 1 Little Auk, 52 Skylark, 10 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 200 Starling, 15 Redwing, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail, 109 Meadow Pipit, 3 Rock Pipit, 28 Chaffinch, 13 Greenfinch, 242 Goldfinch, 58 Siskin, 32 Linnet, 26 Redpoll and 2 Reed Bunting. A Coot was seen on the river by many observers. A Black Redstart was found out on the reserve. 2 Peregrine were sighted. 10 Mediterranean Gulls were recorded. 40 birds ringed today; 9 Blackbird, 6 Song Thrush, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Chiffchaff, 12 Robin, 2 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 6 Goldfinch and 1 Redwing. A Grey Seal was seen offshore and a Migrant Hawker Dragonfly was sighted.

Friday 28th October 2011

Weather consisted of a north north-westerly wind, there was complete cloud cover. Migrants on the move were 5 Brent Geese, 1 Rook, 30 Skylark, 4 Swallow, 6 Starling, 6 Pied Wagtail, 8 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 14 Chaffinch, 68 Goldfinch, 17 Siskin, 6 Linnet, 6 Redpoll and 2 Reed Bunting. A Red-throated Diver was observed on the river. A Peregrine was seen with prey. The male Firecrest was still present. 11 birds ringed today; 1 female Goldcrest, 3 Robin, 1 Greenfinch, 3 Blackbird, 1 Grey Wagtail and 2 Lesser Redpoll.

Thursday 27th October 2011

Weather consisted of a fresh south-easterly wind, there was complete cloud cover. Migrants observed passing through were 94 Brent Geese, 21 Wigeon, 21 Common Scoter, 6 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Gannet, 3 Cormorant, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Dunlin, 2 Turnstone, 1 Swallow, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Greenfinch, 186 Goldfinch and 33 Siskin. The highlight of the day was a Lapland Bunting. 2 Blackcap were found. 9 birds ringed today; 4 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Robin, 2 Wren and 1 Blackbird. A Grey Seal was found offshore.

Wednesday 26th October 2011

The day started with a juv Moorhen picked up on View Point Road in the half light - unfortunately, despite looking ok, it later died and had presumably been hit by a car (not many people realise that this species migrates). Next a fine ringtail Hen Harrier spent 20 mins wandering around the site being mobbed by corvids before departing. A new Yellow-browed Warbler present today with yesterdays 2 Firecrests still with us. Not to many new arrivals in the bushes today with just a handful of new Blackies, Chaffs & a Blackcap. On the reserve 2 Wheatears with a Purp on the groynes in front of the Butts. Overhead another 1,000 Goldies, 46 Skylarks & 44 Redpolls have gone south. Offshore 311 Dunlin, 127 Brents plus a selection of other waders & ducks in low numbers going south.

Tuesday 25th October 2011

Weather consisted of a moderate south-easterly wind, there was complete cloud cover. Migrants seen on the move were 1 Pink-footed Goose, 3007 Brent Geese, 19 Shelduck, 6 Wigeon, 18 Teal, 2 Common Scoter, 5 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Smew, 1 Red-throated Diver, 3 Cormorant, 1 Kestrel, 21 Ringed Plover, 1 Grey Plover, 11 Sanderling, 7 Dunlin, 9 Culew, 4 Common Gull, 27 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Short-eared Owl, 21 Skylark, 1 Pied Wagtail, 6 Meadow Pipit, 2 Pock Pipit, 10 Chaffinch, 251 Goldfinch and 1 Siskin. The Yellow-browed Warbler was still present feeding behind the Bird Observatory kitchen. Also seen was another Short-eared Owl, 2 Firecrest, 5 Goldcrest, 10 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Northern Wheatear. Offshore a Great Crested Grebe was found. Grounded waders sighted were 1 Purple Sandpiper and 6 Turnstone. 44 birds ringed today; 2 Firecrest, 8 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldfinch, 3 Blackbird, 1 Starling, 1 Blue Tit, 10 Song Thrush and 17 Robin. Late news concerns a Shorelark reported by a visitor late morning.

Monday 24th October 2011

A south-easterly onshore gale brought us at least 12 Bonxies, 812 Brents with other species noted in very small numbers. Worth a mention are 4 Eiders & an Arctic Tern. On land hard work due to the strong wind. A Yellow-browed Warbler spent the entire day in the same small group of Sycamores - and a little beauty it was to ! A very small arrival of commoner migrants including a handful of new Blackies, Songies, Robins, Wrens, Goldcrests & singles of Blackcap, Black Red & Woodcock. On the reserve 2 Wheatears with6 Swallows & a Merlin going south.

Sunday 23rd October 2011

Cracking day, weather wise, for the end of October. Another 400 Goldies south this morning with only smaller numbers of other visible migrants on the move. Offshore 17 Golden Plover & a distant Bonxie but not a lot else. In the bushes a handful of new Blackies, Songies & Robins (but literally a handful). Single Little Egret, Goldeneye & House Martin went south with 2 Common Terns still in the river & a Tree Sparrow noted with the House Sparrows.