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.