Saturday 29th November 2025

 

Black-throated Diver offshore photo taken through a telescope in the rain is our first one for over a year. Dank & dreary morning quelled the enthusiasm somewhat with a scant selection of other sightings including 14 Kitts, 8 Common Scoter, 5 Brent, 5 Gannets plus 2 Little Egret heading south for more temperature conditions to spend the winter.

Of greater note is what was thought to be the first site record of Blastobasis vittata which is a variable adventive species from Madeira first noted in Felixstowe four years ago. Closer examination however suggests it is Tuta absoluta which is also a recent adventive species and a pest on Tomato plants.

Ringing: nil. 

Friday 28th November 2025

 

Very few migrants & almost nowt going past. Southbound 16 Siskin, 5 Brent, 3 Wigeon & Rock Pipit. Both Fire & Goldcrests are lingering & may be contemplating wintering with us. Single Snow Bunting was flying around late morning. Red-throated Diver in the river.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird.

Thursday 27th November 2025

 

This Grey Seal pup has probably left it's colony a tad early in its weaning cycle.

A small arrival of 30 Blackies, 6 Songies, 5 Redwing & Woodcock exemplifies the fact that autumn migration hasn't quite finished for these species. Otherwise 6 Mipit are getting a bit tardy, Chiffchaff & several crests loiter on site & Snow Bunting was heard calling pre-dawn.

Ringing: 6 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush.

Wednesday 26th November 2025

Misty, damp start followed by glorious winter sunshine. Handful of new Blackies, Redwing, Skylark & Woodcock new in. Several Goldcrest & Firecrest lingering & 3 Snow Bunting on the beach. 3 Mallard flying inland is worth a mention as we don't see many.

First seen in 2020 Bloxworth Snout has undoubtedly colonised living on Pellitory-of-the-wall that grows out of, and around, the Fort & then hibernating in the buildings.

Ringing: 4 Blackbird.

Tuesday 25th November 2025

 

Only our sixth site record of Raven was soon seen off to the north by our local crows. 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Redpoll & 2 Snow Bunting today. Otherwise very predictable & nothing moving offshore.

Ringing: 1 Lesser Redpoll.

Monday 24th November 2025

 

A few new migrants with southbound 7 Chaffinch, L:ittle Egret, Marsh Harrier & Redpoll plus in the bushes new Blacky, Songie & the first Chiffchaff for eight days. 10 Mipit is an increase on recent days & at least 6 Goldcrest are lingering from the autumn. 3 Snow Bunting are on the beach & Rock Pipit at the point.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush.

Sunday 23rd November 2025

 

Wet n' windy morning. Worth a mention are southbound 2 Gadwal & Goldeneye with northbound 8 Red-throated Diver & 5 Gannet. New Chaffinch & Woodcock around the compound & Snow Bunting on the beach. Sun came out late morning so if anyone ventures out & sees anything please let us know (3 Snow Bunting this afternoon apparently).

Ringing: 1 Chaffinch.

JACK SNIPE MOTUS DETECTION

 

Jack Snipe fitted with a Motus tag in Sweden 5th November travelled through Sweden, Denmark, Germany & The Netherlands has pinged the LBO tower. Its last detection in Holland was at WUR Brouwersdam Sluice 2023 hrs 8th November moving the 173 km to LBO at 38.1 km/hr flying over at 0025 hrs on 9th November with the detection lasting over 5 minutes.

More information about Motus is on www.motus.org