Wildfowl were evidently on the move this morning with c3000 Brent Geese, 8 Shelduck, 3 Goldeneye, 320 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 100 Common Scoter, 2 Velvet Scoter, 4 Pintail an Eider and a Mallard passing by. Amongst them were 2 Red-throated Divers, 8 Red-breasted Merganser, a Dunlin, 6 Kittiwake, a Turnstone and half a dozen Gannet. The thrushes kept coming all day with 50 each of Blackbird and Song Thrush, 20 Redwing were hanging about too along with a fine adult male Ring Ouzel.
A late Willow Warbler was ringed early on but the biggest surprise was a Waxwing Dropping at around 16:30, briefly using one of the net poles as a perch! Fairly quiet on the reserve with yesterdays Brambling amongst the usual finches, a Black Redstart at the mine station, 3 Firescrests around the obs and a few Redpoll passing through. Some visitors did report a possible Red-breasted Flycatcher but this could not be located sadly. Amongst the Robins caught was another control, this one bearing a Belgian ring.
Ringing: Song Thrush 15, Blackbird 13, Robin 10, Goldcrest 7, Redpoll 5, Chaffinch 4, Chiffchaff 3, Blackcap 2, Redwing 2, Willow Warbler, Ring Ouzel, and Greenfinch = 64
