Friday 10th November 2023

A nice wintery morning saw a few usual suspects passing through, but only a few. A couple of goosander flew up river, and a mistle thrush flew from roost in the compound. 3 Cetti's warblers were singing around the reserve and one of the previous days firecrests was still hanging around. A shag was briefly off the point, and at least 3000 cormorants moved south. 

Several Herald Moths are overwintering in the cellars of the building.

Birds Ringed: Blackcap 1, Dunnock 1, Goldcrest 3, Goldfinch 1, Great Tit 1, House Sparrow 2, Lesser Redpoll 7, Long-tailed tit 14, Robin 1, Wren 1. 

Thursday 9th November 2023

Strong wind and rain created a very wintery feel to the observations today. Passerine migration was almost non existent, and the woodpigeons weren't moving either. Out to sea, some small movement of scoter, red-throated diver and gannets were hardly riveting. 40 siskin south was perhaps the most notable migration throughout the morning, and one of the Cetti's warblers reminded us of their presence by singing intermittently on the reserve. 

Turnip Moth is one of the few species that lingers into november with fresh individuals still emerging.

Birds Ringed: nil

 

Wednesday 8th November 2023

 

Wet with an increasing wind as the morning went on not conducive to much activity. Southbound 32 Shelduck, 24 Brent, 12 Dunlin, 4 Common Scoter, 3 Red-throated Diver, 2 Grey Plover, 2 Great Northern Diver, 2 Little Gull, Curlew, Snipe plus northbound 15 Common Scoter & Red-breasted Merganser. A Great Crested Grebe was sat on the sea. 560 Starlings were noted coming in off the sea in small flocks with the only on site record of migrants being 2 Fieldfare.

One of two Bloxworth Snout found in the buildings under the observatory this morning.

Ringing: nil.

Tuesday 7th November 2023

Another day of vis mig, though the numbers were lower today. 2510 woodpigeon flew south along with 72 stock dove, 19 skylark, 89 siskin, 47 redpoll, and 209 goldfinch. A great spotted woodpecker paid us a birief visit before flying back north. A snow bunting was seen briefly out on the point. The presumed eastern subspecies of lesser whitethroat was still out on the reserve. Another new Cetti's warbler was ringed at the observatory bringing us up to 13 for the year, compared to 18 in all previous years combined. 

Birds Ringed: Blackbird 1, Blackcap 1, Cetti's Warbler 1, Goldcrest 1, Lesser Redpoll 2, Long-tailed tit 3.

Monday 6th November 2023

Woodpigeon migration (honestly!)

 A good day for vis mig. 5513 woodpigeon flew south along with 89 stock dove, 52 skylark and 2 woodlark. The first waxwing of the season was seen as it eventually decided not to cross the river and flew north. Another, or perhaps one of yesterdays short-eared owls was present in the compound. Finches had a good passage day with 526 redpoll, 378 goldfinch and 116 siskin joined by a single greenfinch, 6 linnet and 4 crossbill all heading south. Meadow pipit movement still continues with 87 south throughout the morning. A mealy redpoll was ringed at the observatory.

Birds Ringed: Blackcap 1, Chiffchaff 1, Lesser Redpoll 44, Mealy (Common) Redpoll 1, Long-tailed tit 9.

Sunday 5th November 2023

 

Cormorants have been noted flying out to the feeding grounds early morning over the last week with 987 counted this morning. Obviously the persecution of them at the roost site has not started yet this winter.

An eclectic mix of migrants this morning with of note 3 Short-eared Owl, Great-northern Diver over the observatory heading for the River Stour, second year male Hen Harrier south then in off plus a loitering Wheatear. Southbound 460 Goldfinch, 87 Siskin, 59 Starling, 35 Black-headed Gull, 34 Redpoll, 15 Linnet, 15 Mipit, 10 Skylark, 9 Common Gull, 5 Gannet, 4 Swallow, 4 Turnstone, 3 Chaffinch, 2 Jackdaw, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, Dunlin, Little Egret, Marsh Harrier, Knot, Rook & Wigeon plus northbound a Tufted Duck.

Ringing: 9 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Robin, 1 Goldcrest.

Saturday 4th November 2023

Another wet and windy day meant that observations were restricted to watching out of the observatory. 2 arctic skua, 19 little gull and 8 kittiwake north were the highlights of a damp morning. Despite a lot of effort, arctic skua was the only skua recorded, and no petrels were observed. A wheatear was still at the point, getting wet when it really should have departed by now. It won't be the latest we've seen here, but it should be heading to warmer climes.