Saturday November 5th 2011

Weather consisted of a light north north-westerly wind, there was complete cloud cover. There was overnight rain and light rain early morning. It was misty and mild. Migrants observed passing through were 53 Brent Geese, 1 Shelduck, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Cormorant, 2 Turnstone, 8 Skylark, 4 Swallow, 20 Starling, 1 Fieldfare, 12 Meadow Pipit, 11 Chaffinch, 45 Goldfinch, 18 Siskin, 30 Redpoll and 1 Reed Bunting. A Red-throated Diver was seen fishing close offshore. A Barn Owl was observed within the Bird Observatory compound. A Woodcock was flushed late afternoon within the Bird Observatory compound. 13 birds ringed today; 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Robin, 3 Goldfinch, 2 Chaffinch, 1 Dunnock, 1 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush and 2 Blackbird. A Common Seal was observed offshore.

Friday November 4th 2011

Weather consisted of a gentle southerly wind, there was complete cloud cover. There was rain throughout the morning. Migrants observed passing through were 503 Brent Geese, 18 Shelduck, 77 Wigeon, 25 Teal, 2 Pintail, 1 Tufted Duck, 16 Common Scoter, 3 Goldeneye, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 10 Cormorant, 4 Oystercatcher, 2 Grey Plover, 3 Lapwing, 185 Knot, 1338 Dunlin, 1 Jack Snipe, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Curlew, 1 Guillemot, 1 Rook, 7 Skylark, 3 Starling, 8 Chaffinch, 50 Goldfinch and 4 Siskin. Also present today was 1 Fieldfare, 1 Song Thrush and 1 Redwing. 8 Mediterranean Gulls were recorded; 6 adults, 1 2nd-winter and 1 first-winter. 3 birds ringed today; 1 Robin, 1 Goldfinch and 1 House Sparrow. A Grey Seal was seen offshore.

Thursday November 3rd 2011

Weather consisted of a moderate to fresh south south-easterly wind, there was complete cloud cover. There had been some overnight rain and drizzle. Migrants passing through were 1577 Brent Geese, 16 Shelduck, 6 Wigeon, 23 Common Scoter, 11 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Merlin, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Ringed Plover, 5 Grey Plover, 1 Lapwing, 3 Knot, 55 Dunlin, 5 Curlew, 1 Arctic Skua, 5 Skylark, 1 Meadow Pipit and 3 Redpoll. A Short or Long-eared Owl species was seen very early in the morning within the Bird Observatory compound. 22 birds ringed today; 2 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Wren, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Greenfinch, 4 Goldfinch, 8 Robin, 4 Blackbird and 1 female Blackcap.

NOVEMBER LITTER PICK

Litter Pick this Saturday 5th November 0930hrs start. Please see the events section on http://www.lbo.org.uk/ for further info.

Wednesday 2nd November 2011

A strengthening south-easterly gale has brought us next to nothing. New migrants in the bushes are almost non-existent as are offshore movements. Another 900 Goldies went south prior the gale picking up as did 46 Chaffs, 19 Skylarks, 16 Mipits, 16 Golden Plover but not a lot else. 3 Swallows & a House Martin are today's highlight in the bird department. Mild conditions are still bringing us a few moths with Scarce Bordered Straw & a Pearly Underwing indicative of continued immigration.

Tuesday 1st November 2011

Weather consisted of a south south-westerly wind, there was complete cloud cover, it was again mild for the time of the year. Migrants seen passing through were 106 Brent Geese, 3 Shelduck, 3 Wigeon, 2 Common Scoter, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Grey Plover, 5 Knot, 6 Dunlin, 1 Curlew, 34 Skylark, 2 Swallow, 842 Starling, 7 Pied Wagtail, 20 Meadow Pipit, 33 Chaffinch, 26 Greenfinch, 862 Goldfinch, 21 Siskin, 86 Linnet, 39 Redpoll and 1 Reed Bunting. Today's highlights were 2 Short-eared Owls, 1 adult Red-throated Diver and 5 Common Redpoll. Also seen was 3 Turnstone, 6 Mediterranean Gulls, 40 Blackbird, 3 Song Thrush and 20 Redwing. 44 birds ringed today; 5 Common Redpoll, 18 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Greenfinch, 1 Dunnock, 1 Wren, 6 Robin, 10 Blackbird and 1 Chaffinch.

October 2011 Ringing Totals

707 birds of 35 species were ringed in October 2011. The Top 3 Species Ringed are shown below:

1. Lesser Redpoll    149          2. Robin    129         3. Blackbird      77

Monday 31st October 2011

Weather consisted of a moderate south south-westerly wind, there was complete cloud cover. It was mild for the time of the year. Migrants observed passing through were 2 Brent Geese, 2 Mallard, 5 Common Scoter, 2 Cormorant, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Skylark, 1 Swallow, 7 Meadow Pipit, 6 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling, 133 Goldfinch, 18 Siskin, 10 Linnet and 17 Redpoll. The major highlight of the day was a PALLID SWIFT seen heading south towards Essex, seen very well by three regular birders at 09:55 hours. Also found today was a Sparrowhawk, Purple Sandpiper, male Goldcrest, 1 Song Thrush and 1 Redwing. 1 Common Redpoll was found with a Lesser Redpoll in one of the mist nets. 15 birds ringed today; 1 Common Redpoll, 5 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Great Tit, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Robin, 1 male Goldcrest and 1 Greenfinch.

Sunday 30th October 2011

Very mild for late October with the clocks changing today. A small arrival of new Robins, Blackies, Songies, Wrens & a Goldcrest this am (where do these new Wrens keep coming from ?). On the move another 888 Goldies going south as well as 86 Linnets, 59 Chaffs, 42 Redpolls, 37 Mipits, 33 Greenies, 16 Swallows, 6 Skylarks, 2 Jackdaws, 2 Reed Bunts, 2 Stockies & a Rock Pipit. Offshore fairly hopeless apart from 2 Shoveler south. A single Wheatear was noted as were 35 Ringos at high tide.