Wednesday 22nd November 2023

 

Interesting looking Siberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita tristis quite possibly from the western end of its range fulvescens type due to various green tinges in its plumage (particularly so on the underwing coverts not shown). Call "tristis" (also not shown in photo!). Complicated taxa not resolved with current knowledge and understanding.

An arrival of 30 Blackies, 2 Rock Pipit, 2 Woodcock plus 35 Lapwing and Starlings arriving in off the sea from late morning & a couple of Chaffinch dropping in in the afternoon. Southbound 150 Starling, 64 Black-headed Gull, 17 Common Gull, 17 Common Scoter, 11 Dunlin, 10 Shelduck, 6 Brent, 3 Siskin, 2 Redshank & Skylark with northbound 16 Brent, 5 Red-throated Diver & Shelduck. A Great-northern Diver headed south then into the river mouth possibly heading for the Stour. 3 Firecrest, 2 Goldcrest & Cetti's are lingering around the reserve with a Snow Bunting heard on three separate occasions throughout the morning but only seen in flight, high up, once.

First December Moth to appear this winter - which is odd as its main flight period is throughout November so lets hope that they are just late on parade this year and not suffering a setback.

Ringing: 12 Blackbird, 2 Chaffinch, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Robin.