Saturday 15th November 2025

Not what one expects to find on the beach in the morning. 

North easterlies have delivered a decent influx of thrushes from the continent. Large flocks of Fieldfare passing over ended in a tally of 880 whilst 165 Redwing also amongst them. A steady trickle of new Blackbirds coming through also including a Dutch ringed bird. Pallas's Warbler still present early morning at least and a Firecrest in the afternoon. A Common Tern very unusual for this time of year; our last November record was back in 1983 and that was on the 2nd! Other migrants 1 Blackcap, 2 Chaffinch, 1 Chiffchaff, 12 Goldcrest, 1 Marsh Harrier, 5 Mistle Thrush, 15 Meadow Pipit, 15 Robin, 1 Skylark, 5 Song Thrush. 1 Purple Sandpiper on the point.

 Offshore 460 Brent Goose Southbound. Also 1 Common Scoter, 5 Gadwall, 4 Goldeneye, 3 Golden Plover, 5 Pochard, 2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Shelduck, 19 Teal and 20 Wigeon.

Only the third Red-green Carpet this autumn.

Ringing: 1 Blackcap, 12 Blackbird, 1 Chiffchaff, 10 Goldcrest, 4 Goldfinch, 1 Redwing, 4 Robin, 4 Song Thrush, 2 Wren.

 

Friday 14th November 2025

 

This grassland mushroom has sprung up all over the nature reserve. Silky Pinkgill Entoloma sericeum comes from a family of very poisonous mushrooms.

Greeted this morning by 11 Fieldfare and a few Redwing calling after rain right through the night. Peregrine was flying along the beach before heading out to sea - probably looking for tired, grounded migrants! Both Pallas's Warbler and Barred Warbler are still present but can't blame them for not wanting to leave in this weather. A single Rock Pipit feeding out on the point and a Firecrest on site. Today we were down to just 18 Linnet. Other migrants 1 Brambling, 2 Chaffinch, 7 Goldcrest, 34 Meadow Pipit, 1 Redpoll, 2 Song Thrush, 3 Starling.

Offshore late morning 4 Little Gull went South. Also 1 Goldeneye, 3 Oystercatcher and 1 Red-throated diver.  

Dark Chestnut is a Winter flyer with us.

Ringing: 1 Blue Tit.

Thursday 13th November 2025

With the weather set to turn, will we get any more Clouded Yellow after today?

The morning started with another Swallow south and a couple Brambling heard calling. Another cloudy start but as the sun emerged so did the Barred Warbler along the back hedge. The Pallas's Warbler still around popping up always when you least expect it! Other migrants 15 Chaffinch, 90 Goldfinch, 43 Meadow Pipit, 8 Redpoll, 3 Redwing and 10 Starling. 

Offshore 77 Great Black-backed Gull and 2 Lapwing.

A common species, the Large Yellow Underwings still hanging on start to look quite worn this time of year.

Ringing: 1 Blackcap, 1 Blue Tit, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Robin, 1 Song Thrush.
 

 

Wednesday 12th November 2025

6 Pied Wagtail today.

With the wind still in the South the birding is slowly drying up here. That said a Merlin was observed heading South late morning. No sign of the Barred Warbler but the Pallas's Warbler still remains. One very late Swallow heading South - last of the year? Migrants include 6 Goldcrest, 4 Goldfinch, 33 Meadow Pipit, 1 Siskin, 1 Skylark, 1 Sparrowhawk and 3 Song Thrush. 

Offshore 280 Cormorants seen coming in from the North a long way out while the usual group of 177 went out fishing early morning. Also 4 Brent Goose, 68 Great Black-backed Gull, 3 Pintail, 2 Shelduck and 8 Wigeon. 

Ringing: 1 Goldcrest, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Meadow Pipit, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Wren.

 

Tuesday 11th November 2025

 

Oystercatcher usually gets a bit scarcer here after September but 2 on the beach today.

Slim pickings this morning in comparison to the strong start we received this November. Our saving grace, the Barred Warbler reappeared in a brief window of sunshine along the hedge on the South side of the compound. Pallas' Warbler has been doing the rounds too as it reaches its 7th day with us. Other migrants 4 Chaffinch, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Firecrest, 6 Goldcrest, 34 Goldfinch, 22 Meadow Pipit, 5 Song Thrush and 4 Skylark. Next to no movement offshore save for 2 Tufted Duck.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush.

Monday 10th November 2025

Weather has deteriorated with wind & rain limiting this mornings activities. Southbound 43 Brent, 21 Teal, 11 Shelduck, 7 Gannet, 5 Wigeon, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Dunlin, Common Scoter, Goldeneye, Great Crested Grebe & Grey Plover plus 2 Little Gull offshore briefly. Difficult to know what's in the bushes but it would appear to hold very few migrants although single Firecrest, Redwing & Pallas's Warbler still with us. A Woodcock dived into bushes by the beach having, presumably, been flushed from elsewhere.

December moth has started to appear from yesterday onwards as winter starts to take hold.

Ringing: nil.

Sunday 9th November 2025

 

Barred Warbler unexpected although we do have three previous November birds. Pale eye intriguing for what looks like a bird of the year. Selection of autumnal fare including 15 Blackbird, 13 Redpoll, 10 Mipit, 5 Redwing, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Blackcap, 2 Black Red, 2 Firecrest, 2 Snipe, Brambling, Dartford Warbler, Fieldfare, Reed Bunting, Siskin & the lingering Pallas's Warbler for it's fifth day. Southbound, 145 Starling, 130 Wood Pigeon, 32 Goldfinch, 23 Mipit, 7 Skylark, 7 Stock Dove, 6 Brent, 6 Chaffinch & Red-throated Diver. Yet another volery of Long-tailed Tits turned up - they seem to have had a bumper breeding season this year. Sunny morning so a good selection again of late autumn butterflies including 4 Clouded Yellow & Common Blue.

Crocidosema plebejana turns up most years at this late conjecture although earlier records are not unknown.

Ringing: 9 Long-tailed Tit, 8 Lesser Redpoll, 4 Blackbird, 3 Meadow Pipit, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Firecrest, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Wren.