Friday 17th November 2023

 

The loitering pale Lesser Whitethroat on the reserve appears to have lost all but one of its tail feathers since it was last seen two days ago presumably in an altercation with something that wanted to make a meal out of it.

A half decent arrival of typical late autumn fare on a pleasant calm morning with a guesstimated 75 Blackbird plus a supporting cast of 14 Redwing, 6 Goldcrest, 5 Song Thrush, 2 Firecrest, 2 Lapwing, Chiffchaff, Fieldfare, Lesser Redpoll, Short-eared Owl, Snow Bunting & Woodcock. On the move southbound an impressive 1,420 Black-headed Gull count plus 169 Common Gull, 117 Brent, 114 Shelduck, 66 Common Scoter, 38 Starling, 31 Goldfinch, 14 Wigeon, 11 Barnacle Geese, 8 Skylark, 6 Pintail, 6 Siskin, 4 Mipit, 4 Pochard, 3 Chaffinch, Goldeneye, Oyk, Knot & Teal with northbound 2 Bean Geese, 2 Eider & Red-throated Diver.

Ringing: 35 Blackbird, 7 Starling, 4 Goldcrest, 3 Song Thrush, 2 Firecrest, 2 Robin, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Wren.