Last night the Obs played host to the visiting Suffolk and Essex Bat Groups, who set up 8 harp traps with acoustic lures in an attempt to catch the migratory Nathusius' Pipistrelle. Three of these bats were caught from about an hour after sunset, suggesting that they had arrived in from the Continent. Like the birds that we catch here the bats were ringed, though not on the leg but on the arm, with a special ring that doesn't close completely so the wing membrane isn't damaged. Along with the pipistrelles two Natterer's Bat were also caught.
Back to birds this morning and we were had our first 4-figure count of Cormorant heading out to sea with 1,134 seen. There were good numbers of pigeons moving south today as well, with 3,821 Woodpigeon and 1,100 Stock Dove. Also southbound were 248 Starling, 40 Meadow Pipit, 39 Black-headed Gull, 37 Greenfinch, 33 Chaffinch, 3 Grey Wagtail, 3 Woodlark, 2 Jackdaw, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Siskin, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Pied Wagtail and 1 Rook. There were 3 Brent Goose and 1 Little Egret northbound. The first Fieldfare of the season was seen coming in off the sea. Around the reserve there were 4 Goldcrest, 3 Jay, 1 Redwing, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Wheatear and 1 Stonechat. There were two family parties of Long-tailed Tits totalling 25 birds, with other tits joining them including a Coal Tit.
The Satellite is a winter flyer that we get in small numbers, mostly in the autumn.
Ringing: 22 Long-tailed Tit, 8 Great Tit, 4 Blue Tit, 3 Blackcap, 3 Goldfinch, 2 Wren, 2 Blackbird, 2 Robin, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Linnet, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Dunnock.
Recoveries: 1 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit.