Saturday 8th December 2012

A Woodcock trapped in the helgoland was the 5th ringed this autumn - although why i am calling it autumn i don't know as this bird was considerably fatter than those caught at the end of October & in November and as such is probably a refugee from colder weather conditions inland rather than a fresh arrival from the continent. Also seeking refuge by the coast were 4 Lapwings although the first dog walkers of the autumn saw to it that it wasn't long before they flew inland over the docks. Another suspected refugee was a Reed Bunting who has also presumably come to the milder conditions on the coast. Offshore a handful of Teal & Wigeon moved south in very limited time spent starring out into the bright morning sun. Finally, 3 Goldies & a Mipit went south proving that, for some species, autumn migration is not over yet.