Saturday 10th November 2018

Cormorant going out to sea in the morning.

Southwesterly breeze and clearing during the morning after overnight rain. An overnight arrival of Goldcrest in the Observatory compound joined the remainder of the Goldcrest flock that have not yet dispersed from the previous few days, a Rock Pipit was on the groynes at the Butts and a Porpoise was seen offshore during the seawatch.

Noted on the reserve, 50 Goldcrest, 15 Linnet, 3 Meadow Pipit, 3 Redwing, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Med Gull, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Snipe & 1 Sparrowhawk. Going North, 4 Brent Goose & 1 Red-throated Diver. Going out to sea East, 1150 Cormorant. Going South, 24 Starling, 23 Goldfinch, 15 Skylark, 7 Meadow Pipit, 7 Siskin, 6 Brent Goose, 6 Chaffinch, 3 Redpoll & 3 Wigeon.

18 birds ringed: Goldcrest 14, Blackbird 1, Redwing 1, Robin 1, Song Thrush 1.

Friday 9th November 2018

An adult male Black Redstart at the Observatory this morning.

A strong Southeasterly breeze, starting overcast but becoming brighter. A small fall of Goldcrest were in the Observatory compound this morning, a female Firecrest was seen mid morning and three Swallow went South over the reserve.

Noted on the reserve, 70 Goldcrest, 30 Meadow Pipit, 7 Linnet, 2 Redwing, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Firecrest, 1 Med Gull & 1 Snipe. Going North, 6 Common Scoter, 4 Brent Goose, 1 Gannet & 1 Guillemot. Going out to sea East, 1345 Cormorant. Going South, 16 Meadow Pipit, 16 Starling, 14 Siskin, 10 Goldfinch, 5 Brent Goose, 5 Wigeon, 4 Skylark, 3 Black-headed Gull, 3 Common Gull, 3 Swallow, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Redpoll, 2 Shelduck, 1 Linnet & 1 Red-throated Diver.

63 birds ringed: Goldcrest 53, Robin 4, Black Redstart 1, Blackbird 1, Firecrest 1, Goldfinch 1, Redwing 1, Woodpigeon 1.

November 2018 litter pick

Litter Pick this Saturday 10th November 0930 hrs start. Further details on the Events page of www.lbo.org.uk

Thursday 8th November 2018

A Starling on the Butts.

A Southwesterly breeze and clear sky this morning. Two Med Gull were moving between the people fishing on the beach and a Purple Sandpiper was on the jetty dodging the waves that were crashing in on the boulders. Offshore movement and Vismig was quiet this morning.

Noted on the reserve, 20 Goldcrest, 2 Med Gull, 2 Redwing, 1 Blackcap, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Sparrowhawk & 1 Stonechat. Going out to sea East, 725 Cormorant. Going South, 33 Goldfinch, 28 Starling, 17 Woodpigeon, 7 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Lapwing, 4 Meadow Pipit, 3 Teal, 1 Grey Heron & 1 Siskin.

10 birds ringed: Lesser Redpoll 6, Blackbird 2, Dunnock 1, House Sparrow 1.

Wednesday 7th November 2018

More L.a.argentatus have been showing up as the month progresses.

Strong southerly with a dose of rain to start with. Offshore southbound 196 Dunlin, 85 Knot, 7 Wigeon, 4 Gannet, 3 Brent, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Sanderling, 2 Curlew, 2 Teal, 1 Common Scoter & 1 Shelduck with northbound Gannet & Kittiwake. 3 Gannet were offshore with gulls behind shipping and 1432 Cormorant headed out to sea fishing. Land birds consisted of 104 Starling south with the best the bushes had to offer being a small handful of Goldcrests and a Fieldfare.

Ringing: 1 Goldcrest.

Tuesday 6th November 2018

 There were two Firecrest at the Observatory this morning.

A Southerly breeze and partial cloud to start the day. The Pallas's Warbler has stayed for a second day and was in the trees behind the Observatory, which is also where the Firecrest and most of the Goldcrests were, a male Black Redstart was seen near the wooden boardwalk on the reserve and although there had been nocmig Thrushes very few were grounded this morning.

Noted on the reserve, 40 Meadow Pipit, 30 Goldcrest, 15 Long-tailed Tit, 5 Pied Wagtail, 5 Turnstone, 4 Redwing, 2 Brambling, 2 Firecrest, 2 Med Gull, 2 Stonechat, 1 Black Redstart & 1 Pallas's Warbler. Going North, 7 Common Scoter. Going out to sea East, 769 Cormorant. Going South, 650 Woodpigeon, 150 Starling, 94 Goldfinch, 81 Chaffinch, 14 Meadow Pipit, 8 Brent Goose, 7 Cormorant, 4 Skylark, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Siskin & 1 Pied Wagtail.

Feathered Thorn is a late autumn flyer that is infrequent here.

26 birds ringed: Long-tailed Tit 12, Goldcrest 7, Chaffinch 2, Blackbird 1, Firecrest 1, Meadow Pipit 1, Song Thrush 1, Wren 1.

Monday 5th November 2018

Pallas's Warbler in the trees behind the Observatory

Clear overnight but hazy offshore after dawn and a strong Southeasterly breeze. Thrushes were heard coming in off the sea overnight, with the weather in their favour they had continued inland before daybreak, Goldcrest were in the Observatory compound and a Pallas's warbler was in the trees behind the kitchen.
Noted on the reserve, 40 Meadow Pipit, 35 Goldcrest, 19 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Redwing, 2 Stonechat & 1 Pallas's Warbler. Going North, 3 Eider & 1 Common Scoter. Going out to sea East, 126 Cormorant. Going South, 79 Goldfinch, 35 Starling, 35 Woodpigeon, 16 Siskin, 12 Meadow Pipit, 11 Skylark, 7 Redpoll, 7 Teal, 3 Turnstone, 2 Brent Goose, 2 Chaffinch, 1 Firecrest, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Short-eared Owl & 1 Swallow.

55 birds ringed: Goldcrest 23, Long-tailed Tit 16, Blackbird 6, Meadow Pipit 4, Robin 2, Great Tit 1, Grey Wagtail 1, Pallas's Warbler 1, Wren 1.

Sunday 4th November 2018

Difficult to explain what a single Greylag is doing heading inland at this time of the year.

Heading south 43 Starling, 18 Teal, 5 Turnstone, 2 Common Scoter, 2 Mipit, Brent, Dunlin, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Skylark & Wigeon with northbound Brent & Gannet. 33 Starling came in off the sea. On site quiet for migrants but included 5 Redwing, 2 Chiffchaff, Firecrest, Rock Pipit plus a couple of new Blackies & Songie.

Dark Sword Grass has not had a good year with late autumn ones probably migrants.

Ringing: 3 Blackbird, 1 Firecrest, 1 Robin, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Wood Pigeon.