White-fronted geese (Anser albifrons).
Day two of easterly winds. The highlight of this morning has to be the 80 White-fronted Geese heading out of the river then north, with the first group of 28 being directly overhead! Inside the compound more Goldcrest present (30) and also still a good number of Robins on site with around 60... one less, as a Kestrel decided one would make a good snack. 1 Brambling early morning also inside the compound and 7 Fieldfare. 1 Black Redstart seen in the moat in the afternoon. 1 Swallow, 2 Jackdaw and 2 Woodcock in flight around the observatory. Out on the reserve 9 Ringed Plover, 1 Dunlin and an Oystercatcher all feeding on the beach.
Overhead migration: 40 Starling, 2 Song Thrush,1 Redpoll, 1 Sparrowhawk, all south. 120 Chaffinch flying inland.
Seawatching:
South: 428 Brent Goose, 82 Wigeon, 47 Shelduck, 43 Teal, 40 Black-headed Gull, 15 Lapwing, 8 Common Gull, 7 White-fronted Geese, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Gannet, 1 Guillemot and a Tufted Duck.
North: 31 Common Scoter, 6 Little Gull, 2 Barnacle Goose, 2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Arctic Tern, 1 Black-headed Gull, 1 Fulmar, 1 Kittiwake, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Razorbill, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Sabine's Gull (08:22), 1 Sooty Shearwater and a Tufted Duck,
West (up river): 1 Long-tailed Skua and a Sandwich Tern.
Out of the river and north: 80 White-fronted Geese.
Feeding offshore: 14 Great Black-backed Gull and a Mediterranean Gull.
Moth trapping: 22 Species between our 3 traps this morning. Moth of the morning goes to the Rusty-dot Pearl, which is an immigrant whose numbers often peak at this time of the year.
Rusty-dot Pearl (Udea ferrugalis).
Bird ringing: 30 Robin, 17 Goldcrest, 11 Blackbird, 10 Chaffinch, 6 Firecrest, 5 Chiffchaff, 4 Song Thrush, 3 Blackcap, 2 Wren, 1 Dunnock, 1 Great Tit, 1 Redwing.
Total 91