Wednesday 29th November 2017

The second record of Puffin in a month is only the 12th site record - this one went past not to far out and pitched in so it makes one believe it is the same one as seen nine days ago. A Common Buzzard going south is also a notable species here despite being resident just over the far side of the docks. Some migration apparent this morning in the shape of a small handful of Redwing, Fieldfare, Blackies, a Mistle Thrush plus a Lesser Redpoll. 1576 Cormorants went out fishing early on. Apart from the Puffin offshore movements were southbound 10 Common Scoter, 46 Brent, 9 Shelduck, 8 Red-throated Diver, 2 Teal, 2 Goldeneye & Gadwall with northbound 11 Red-throats, 4 Wigeon,3 Common Scoter, 2 Bonxie & 2 Brents. Late news - The Iceland Gull turned up along the beach in the afternoon. Also 2 Bonxies offshore that may, or may not, have been the birds seen heading north in the morning.

Ringing: 6 Blackbird, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Chaffinch.

Tuesday 28th November 2017

When the highlight of the morning is the fact that the Red-legged Partridge population has risen from 2 to 3 then you know its not exactly riveting. All the mist nets were opened and no new birds ringed suggests that autumn passage is done 'n dusted. What movement there were consisted of southbound 7 Goldfinch, 2 Brent & an Oyk with northbound a Red-throated Diver. A Bonxie continues to loiter offshore and the Iceland Gull showed up late morning.

Is this Satellite the last moth of the season as the forecast is set to get a lot colder over the next few days.

No birds ringed.

Monday 27th November 2017

1,118 Cormorants went out this morning. Offshore movements poor with southbound 4 Common Gull, 3 Gadwal, 2 Dunlin, Shag, Brent Goose, Shelduck, Oyk, Knot, Sanderling, Curlew, Kittiwake plus a Red-breasted Merganser that was going south that pitched in just off the beach to do some exploratory fishing. Northbound 1 Red-throated Diver. A Bonxie put in three appearances and is obviously loitering with intent. All the usual's were present with Purple Sand on the point, Snow Bunting on the beach, female Stonechat on the Butts and the Iceland Gull that finally put in an appearance late morning (has it started scavenging chips and kebabs along Felixstowe sea front in addition to scrounging off beach fishermen ?).

No birds ringed.

Sunday 26th November 2017

Apart from the usual suspects that have been around for a few days now, like this Snow Bunting and the Iceland Gull, things are starting to look bleak. A couple of Goldcrests are still here, trying desperately to find enough food to see them through the winter. Apart from that 2 Purple Sandpipers on the point, 2 Bonxies loafing offshore and 2 Sanderling went south.

Ringed 1 Blackbird. 

Saturday 24th November 2017

1,820 Cormorants went out fishing this morning. First decent Red-throated Diver movement of the winter with 3 north 128 south but birds are nearer the Cork Sands than Landguard. A few other bits 'n bobs on the move with southbound 39 Common Scoter, 13 Lapwing, 4 Shelduck, 4 Starling, Teal, Wigeon, Redshank & a Shag just off the beach. Northbound 7 Common Scoter & Gannet. A couple of new Blackies and a Songie in on site with a Snipe flushed off the beach by punters visiting the Iceland Gull which performed well on & off all morning. 34 Starling came in off indicating autumn not quite over with for some species.

Running out of moths with today's solitary representative this Angle Shades which is a species that can put in appearances all winter regardless of the frosty conditions.

3 birds ringed: 2 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush.

Friday 23rd November 2017

When all you Iceland Gull watchers turn up if you want to contribute something useful to science then plenty of gull rings to read. For those who like a real challenge, apart from the colour ringed individuals, several metal ringed birds to read including this Med Gull originally ringed as an adult in January 2010 which means it is at least ten years old. Pallas's Warbler was a brief visitor mid-morning on the southern end of the "icky ridge". Other grounded migrants almost non-existent but included Fieldfare, Redwing, Brambling, Chaffinch & Redpoll. Some vis mig in the shape of southbound 16 Goldfinch, 8 Mipit, 3 Siskin, 2 Skylark & Merlin. Offshore movements were basic with a handful of Common Scoter & a Red-breasted Merganser south. 1,710 Cormorants went out fishing early on & the Snow Bunting is still out there. Mr & Mrs Peregrine were performing well this morning with co-operative hunting going on.

Ringing: 1 Chaffinch.

Thursday 23rd November 2017

The gale has blown quite a bit of fresh sand from the beach onto the reserve. Offshore movements southbound 5 Brent, 5 Shelduck, 2 Pintail & Curlew with vis mig heading south 4 Siskin & 2 Goldfinch. 2 Redwing and a new Song Thrush were new in. The Iceland Gull put in an appearance and the Purple Sandpiper was on the point.

2 birds ringed: 1 Song Thrush, 1 Greenfinch.