Monday, 29th October 2012

Offshore

2 Shelducks east, 65 Common Scoters west, 2 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Kittiwake west, 1 Guillemot west and 9 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration 

48 Redwings south, 11 Fieldfares south, 11 Skylarks south, 85 Jackdaws south, 224 Starlings east, 1 Grey Wagtail south, 3 Alba Wagtails south, 25 Meadow Pipits south-east, 53 Chaffinch south-east, 16 Greenfinch south-east, 7 Siskins east, 1 Redpoll south, 2 Crossbills south-east, 1 Yellowhammer south-east and 2 Reed Buntings west.

Grounded Migrants 

35 Redwings, 15 Blackbirds, 5 Song Thrushes and 2 Goldcrests.

Others 

3 Light-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Little Egret, 500 Teal, 420 Wigeon, 3 Pintails, 4 Shovelers, 13 Snipe, 11 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Peregrine and 1 Little Owl.

Ringing

2 Blue Tits, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Goldcrest and 16 Greenfinch.

 The Starling roost at the pools

Sunday, 28th October 2012

Offshore

6 Wigeon west, 2 Pintails west, 2 Goldeneyes west, 53 Common Scoters west, 16 Red-breasted Mergansers west, 1 Red-throated Diver west, 3 Great Crested Grebes west, 1 juv. Shag west, 3 Kittiwakes west, 1 Little Gull west, 1 Guillemot onthe sea, 1 Razorbill west and 3 Auk sp. west.

Grounded Migrants 

1 Woodcock, 3 Song Thrushes, 26 Redwings and 3 Goldcrests.

Others

470 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Gadwalls, 5 Goldeneyes, 7 Red-breasted Mergansers, 39 Sanderlings, 275 Turnstones  and 1 Kingfisher.

Saturday, 27th October 2012

After yesterday's 'thrushtacular' the cold northerly winds slowed migration down, but it was pleasing to note Turnstones back at the feeding station where we intend to colour mark them over the winter as part of a five year project we are undertaking on them.

 

Offshore 

1 Goldeneye west, 29 Common Scoters west, 5 Red-breasted Mergansers, 5 Red-throated Divers - 3 west & 2 east, 3 Great Crested Grebes - 1 west & 2 on the sea, 2 Guillemots - 1 east & 1 on the sea and 25 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration

124 Jackdaws south, 4 Carrion Crows south, 1 Skylark south, 4 Alba Wagtails south, 12 Meadow Pipits south, 6 Chaffinch south, 1 Grey Wagtail west, 2 Mistle Thrushes northeast and 16 Linnets south.

 

Grounded Migrants

18 Blackbirds, 2 Song Thrushes, 1 Fieldfare, 3 Redwings, 1 Chiffchaff, 5 Goldcrests, 2 Grey Wagtails, 15 Long-tailed Tits and 2 Bramblings.

Others

14 Whooper Swans, 380 Wigeon, 1 Pintail, 2 Goldeneyes, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers, 19 Ringed Plovers, 36 Sanderlings, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 7 Snipe, 165 Turnstones, 56 Redshanks, 2 Med. Gulls, 1 Peregrine, 7 Rock Pipits and 9 Twite.

 

 Redshanks and Turnstones

Ringing

1 Collared Dove and 3 Greenfinch.

Friday, 26th October 2012

A spectacular movement of Fieldfares and Redwings took place over the Obs today, it peaked mid morning but birds continued moving throughout the day. The wind increased during the afternoon which brought the flocks down to roof top level providing a superb spectacle.

Offshore

3 Teal west, 2 Tufted Ducks west, 38 Common Scoters west, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 2 Razorbills.

Visible Migration 

4,071 Fieldfares - all birds moving NE over the peninsular, 1,688 Redwings NE, 3 Blackbirds east, 2 Song Thrushes east, 17 Mistle Thrushes east, 168 Pink-footed Geese south-east, 7 Woodpigeons south-east, 8 Skylarks south, 2 Ravens south-east, 7 Carrion Crows south, 62 Jackdaws south, 144 Starlings east, 1 Grey Wagtail south, 6 Alba Wagtails south, 1 Rock Pipit west, 11 Meadow Pipits south, 175 Chaffinch south-east, 15 Bramblings south-east, 52 Greenfinch south-east, 14 Goldfinch south-east, 5 Siskins east, 7 Redpolls south-east and 1 Snow Bunting west.

 

 Above and below; part of today's Fieldfare and Redwing spectacular

Grounded Migrants 

20 Blackbirds, 6 song Thrushes and 5 Goldcrests.

Others 

500 Pink-footed Geese, 3 Shovelers, 2 Goldeneyes, 11 Snipe, 16 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, 1 Merlin and 1 Kingfisher.

Ringing

4 Redwings, 1 Goldcrest and 8 Greenfinch including a control -TT78025.

Thursday, 25th October 2012

Easterly winds all week finally turned up some good birds today, most notably a Ring Ouzel and a Black Redstart.

Offshore

7 Wigeon west, 6 Mallards west, 40 Common Scoters west, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers west, 3 Red-throated Divers west, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Guillemot east and 3 Auk sp. east.

Visible Migration 

5 Whooper Swans south, 845 Pink-footed Geese south, 4 Barnacle Geese south, 1 Merlin in off, 155 Redwings south-east, 61 Fieldfares south-east, 6 Mistle Thrush east, 16 Skylarks south, 81 Starlings south, 2 Grey Wagtails south, 8 Alba Wagtails south, 1 Rock Pipit west, 63 Meadow Pipits south,149 Chaffinch south-east, 33 Greenfinch south-east, 16 Bramblings south-east, 2 Linnets south, 14 Goldfinch south-east and 1 Reed Bunting east.

Grounded Migrants 

1 Ring Ouzel - on site for 10 minutes at dawn before disappearing south, 1 Black Redstart - fem/imm type by sea wall mid afternoon, 1 Wheatear, 6 Robins, 5 Wrens, 1 Chiffchaff, 5 Goldcrests, 6 Song Thrushes and 22 Blackbirds.

Others

600 Pink-footed Geese, 240 Wigeon, 3 Shovelers, 600 Lapwings, 12 Golden Plovers, 33 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Med. Gull, 1 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, 1 Barn Owl and 2 Kingfishers.

Ringing

2 Blackbirds, 1 Redwing, 2 Great Tits and 13 Greenfinch - including a control from Heysham Bird Observatory.

Wednesday, 24th October 2012

Offshore

4 Tufted Ducks east, 22 Common Scoters west, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers east, 3 Red-throatedDivers west, 3 Guillemots east, 1 Razorbill east and 5 Auk sp. east.

Visible Migration

246 Pink-footed Geese south, 5 Fieldfares south, 130 Redwings south, 4 Skylarks south, 4 Alba Wagtails south, 2 Rock Pipits west, 59 Meadow Pipits south, 18 Chaffinch south, 22 Greenfinch south, 8 Linnets south, 15 Goldfinch south and 6 Reed Buntings east.

Grounded Migrants 

12 Blackbirds, 7 Song Thrushes, 1 Chiffchaff, 7 Goldcrests and 6 Long-tailed Tits.

Others

700 Pink-footed Geese, 71 Tufted Ducks, 1 Goldeneye, 3 Water Rails, 17 Golden Plovers, 700 Lapwings, 85 Dunlin, 6 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Med. Gull and 1 Kingfisher.

Ringing

1 Wren, 2 Redwings, 2 Song Thrushes, 1 Blackbird, 2 Blue Tits, 1 Chaffinch

and 4 Greenfinch.

Tuesday, 23rd October 2012

Offshore 

4 Wigeon west, 29 Eiders, 14 Common Scoters - 5 west & 9 on the sea, 5 Red-breasted Mergansers west, 1 Red-throated Diver west, 2 Great Crested Grebes west and 1 Guillemot east.

Visible Migration 

2 Skylarks south, 1 Grey Wagtail south, 4 Alba Wagtails south, 29 Meadow Pipits south, 13 Redwings south, 15 Chaffinch south, 9 Greenfinches south, 2 Linnets south, 3 Twite west, 2 Redpolls south and 2 Reed Buntings west.

Grounded Migrants 

3 Redwings, 4 Song Thrushes, 12 Blackbirds, 23 Meadow Pipits, 1 Chiffchaff, 5 Goldcrests and 52 Long-tailed Tits - in 5 groups.

Others 

2,500 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Barnacle Geese, 450 Teal, 4 Shovelers, 2 Gadwall, 2 Goldeneyes, 63 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Med. Gull and 1 Buzzard.

Ringing 

1 Wren, 3 Blackbirds, 3 Blue Tits, 7 Long-tailed Tits and 6 Greenfinches.

 

 Long-tailed Tit

Monday, 22nd October 2012

Offshore 

7 Teal west, 1 Scaup, 250 Common Scoters, 5 Red-breasted Mergansers - 2 west with Scoters and 3 on the sea, 2 Red-throated Divers west, 4 Great Crested Grebes west, 2 Guillemots west and 3 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration

1 Great Spotted Woodpecker east, 1 Skylark south, 1 Grey Wagtail south, 8 Alba Wagtails south, 57 Meadow Pipits south, 18 Chaffinch south, 1 Brambling south, 2 Siskins south-east and 1 Reed Bunting west.

Grounded Migrants 

13 Blackbirds, 2 Song Thrushes, 2 Wrens, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps and 8 Goldcrests.

 

 Blackbird

Others 

1 Little Egret, 300 Teal, 230 Wigeon, 225 Mallards, 2 Shovelers, 1 Pintail, 8 Pochards, 52 Tufted Ducks, 1 Goldeneye, 600 Lapwings, 14 Golden Plovers, 54 Snipe, 2 Jack Snipe, 14 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Greenshank, 1 Water Rail, 1 Med. Gull, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Barn Owl and 5 Rock Pipits.

 

 KIngfisher

Sunday, 21st October 2012

Offshore

2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese west, 1 Scaup, 17 Common Scoters west, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Guillemot west and 2 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration 

43 Pink-footed Geese south-east, 1 Kestrel in off, 32 Lapwings south-east, 3 Woodpigeons south-east, 54 Skylarks south, 5 Blackbirds south, 9 Song Thrushes south, 19 Redwings south, 133 Jackdaws south, 8 Carrion Crows south, 17 Magpies - single flock high east, 2 Jays east with Magpie flock, 4 Grey Wagtails south, 26 Alba Wagtails south, 1 Rock Pipit west, 133 Meadow Pipits south, 1 Crossbill east, 43 Chaffinch south, 9 Bramblings south, 85 Greenfinch south, 15 Linnets south, 16 Goldfinch south, 6 Siskins south, 1 Reed Bunting south and 3 Redpolls south.

 

 Carrion Crow

Grounded Migrants 

16 Blackbirds, 5 Song Thrushes, 1 Stonechat, 2 Grey Wagtails, 1 Chiffchaff, 6 Goldcrests, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Jay and 16 Long-tailed Tits.

Others 

600 Pink-footed Geese, 114 Grey Plovers, 1,500 Knot, 75 Dunlin, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1 Peregrine and 1 Barn Owl.

 

Ringing

4 Blackbirds, 1 Goldcrest, 8 Meadow Pipits, 31 Greenfinches, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Robin and 1 Dunnock.

Goldcrest

Saturday, 20th October 2012

Offshore

21 Common Scoters west, 17 Eiders, 5 Red-breasted Mergansers, 1 Red-throated Diver west, 6 Kittiwakes west and 1 Guillemot west.

Visible Migration

7 Swallows south, 3 Skylarks south, 3 Jays south, 4 Grey Wagtails south, 11 Alba Wagtails south, 32 Meadow Pipits south, 38 Chaffinch south, 1 Brambling south, 69 Greenfinch south, 3 Linnets south, 8 Goldfinch south, 3 Siskins south, 1 Fieldfare south, 1 Coal Tit south, 2 Reed Buntings, 40 Jackdaws and 2 Redpolls south.

Grounded Migrants

9 Blackbirds, 4 Song Thrushes, 4 Redwings, 20 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Coal Tit and 11 Goldcrests.

Others 

750 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Buzzard, 1 Merlin, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Barn Owl and 2 Med. Gulls.

Ringing 

2 Wrens, 2 Robins, 5 Blackbirds, 2 Song Thrushes, 2 Blue Tits, 19 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Chaffinch, 1 Coal Tit, 1 Great Tit and 10 Greenfinch.

 

 Chaffinch

Friday, 19th October 2012

Offshore 

1 Wigeon west, 8 Pintails west, 23 Common Scoters west, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Shelducks east and 1 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration 

14 Woodpigeons south-east, 8 Skylarks south, 2 Dunnocks south, 11 Redwings south, 7 Mistle Thrushes west, 16 Carrion Crows south, 32 Jackdaws south, 16 Coal Tits east, 11 Long-tailed Tits high south, 1 Grey Wagtail south, 16 Alba Wagtails south, 44 Meadow Pipits south, 2 Rock Pipits west, 103 Chaffinch south, 3 Bramblings south, 50 Greenfinch south, 9 Linnets south, 29 Goldfinch south, 4 Redpolls east and 2 Tree Sparrow wests.

 

 Newly arrived Meadow Pipits

Grounded Migrants 

1 Short-eared Owl, 15 Blackbirds, 7 Song Thrushes, 1 Chiffchaff and 3 Goldcrests.

Others 

2,000 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Goldeneyes, 1 Water Rail, 1 Med. Gull, 1 Barn Owl and 2 Kingfishers.

Ringing 

1 Wren, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Blue Tit, 4 Coal Tits and 1 Goldcrest.

Thursday, 18th October 2012

Another Yellow-browed Warbler, the second this week was today`s highlight. It was found this morning in the Mount and remained all day though proved elusive much of the time. It showed on and off to visiting birders during the afternoon but remained silent making it hard to locate.

Offshore 

35 Common Scoters, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers, 1 Red-throated Diver west, 1 Great Crested Grebe west and 2 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration

1 Great Spotted Woodpecker east, 6 Skylarks south, 22 Coal Tits east, 7 Alba Wagtails south, 17 Meadow Pipits south, 87 Chaffinch south, 2 Bramblings south, 31 Greenfinch south, 12 Goldfinch and 1 Crossbill south-east.

Grounded Migrants 

1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 7 Goldcrests, 12 Redwings, 22 Blackbirds, 14 Song Thrushes and 3 Wrens.

Others

2 Little Egrets, 1 Goldeneye, 16 Black-tailed Godwit, 300 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Peregrine and 1 Short-eared Owl.

Ringing 

1 Redwing.

 

 Redwing

Wednesday, 17th October 2012

Offshore 

62 Common Scoters west, 7 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Little Gull west, 1 Guillemot west, 5 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration

4 Skylarks south, 2 Carrion Crows south, 5 Alba Wagtails south, 46 Meadow Pipits south, 58 Chaffinch south, 6 Goldfinch south and 6 Siskins south.

Grounded Migrants

1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 25 Blackbirds, 6 Song Thrush, 1 Redwing, 8 Robins, 2 Chiffchaffs and 9 Goldcrests.

 

 Goldcrest

Others

1,500 Knot, 96 Grey Plovers, 190 Sanderlings, 33 Ringed Plovers and 1 Peregrine.

Tuesday, 16th October 2012

Offshore

1 Teal west, 3 Pintail west, 1 male Goosander east, 38 Common Scoters west, 3 Red-throated Divers west, 2 Great Crested Grebes west, 2 Guillemots west, 1 Razorbill west and 18 Auk sp. west.

Grounded Migrants 

6 Blackbirds, 1 Song Thrush, 3 Goldcrests, 2 Coal Tits and 15 Long-tailed Tits.

Others

1,000 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Goldeneye, 32 Ringed Plovers, 63 Snipe, 2 Jack Snipes, 1 Buzzard and 1 Peregrine.

Monday, 15th October 2012

A Yellow-browed Warbler found in the cemetery this morning was today`s highlight. It showed on and off for 10 minutes in the Sycamores along the southern edge before disappearing. It was later relocated in nearby gardens mid afternoon feeding with a mixed flock of Goldcrest and Tits.

An adult European White-fronted Goose observed amongst a large flock of Pink-footed Geese was the first record in October for the Obs.

Offshore 

2 shelducks east, 40 Common Scoters west, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers,  2 Red-throated Divers west and 2 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration 

2 Whooper Swans south, 54 Pink-footed Geese south, 17 Skylarks south, 3 Blackbirds south, 2 Song Thrushes south, 1 Grey Wagtail south, 11 Alba Wagtails south, 2 Rock Pipits west, 35 Meadow Pipits south, 40 Coal Tits south, 39 Chaffinch south, 11 Greenfinch south, 1 Siskin south and 1 Reed Bunting west.

Grey Wagtail

Grounded Migrants 

1 Yellow-browed Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Jays, 3 Grey Wagtails, 22 Blackbirds, 5 Song Thrushes and 20 Goldcrests.

Others 

1 adult European White-fronted Goose, 5,000 Pink-footed Geese, 220 Wigeon, 38 Golden Plovers, 31 Snipe, 1 Jack Snipe, 115 Dunlin, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Buzzard, 1 Merlin, 1 Kingfisher and 75 Goldfinch.

Pink-footed Geese

Ringing 

1 Blue Tit and 5 Greenfinch.

Sunday, 14th October 2012

Unlike September, recent weather has enabled us to operate mist nets relatively frequently and today was no exception with a good number of birds ringed. We also recorded the first Treecreeper for the year and the first Snow Bunting for the autumn.

 

Offshore

3 Wigeons west, 21 Common Scoters  west, 21 Eiders, 2 Red-throated Divers west, 2 Great Crested Grebes west, 1 Guillemot west and 2 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration

30 Skylarks south, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker east & 1 south, 1 Mistle Thrush east, 6 Grey Wagtails south, 20 Alba Wagtails south, 4 Rock Pipits west, 217 Meadow Pipits south, 345 Jackdaws south, 8 Carrion Crows south, 100 Redwings south, 224 Chaffinch south, 1 Brambling south, 106 Greenfinch south, 8 Linnets south, 18 Goldfinch south, 3 Siskins south, 2 Redpolls south, 7 Reed Buntings south and 1 Snow Bunting west.

Rock Pipits

Grounded Migrants

18 Blackbirds, 10 Song Thrushes, 3 Wrens, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Blackcap, 11 Goldcrests, 1 Stonechat, 6 Long-tailed Tits and 1 Treecreeper.

 Others

2 Water Rails, 33 Ringed Plovers, 158 Sanderling (including a colour ringed individual), 275 Turnstones, 9 Snipe, 2 Med. Gulls, 1 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, 15 Coal Tits, 307 Pink-footed Geese, and 1 Barn Owl.

Ringing 

3 Blackbird, 2 Song Thrushes, 1 Redwing, 2 Dunnocks, 4 Wren, 1 Great Tit, 1 Goldfinch, 3 Chaffinch, 7 Meadow Pipits, 57 Greenfinch, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Blue Tit and 2 Reed Buntings.

 

 Redwing

Saturday, 13th October 2012

Offshore

40 Common Scoters, 5 Red-breasted Mergansers, 1 Red-throated Diver west, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Auk sp. west 

Visible Migration

17 Wigeon south, 5 Snipe east,  4 Swallows south, 46 Skylarks south, 140 Redwings south, 6 Fieldfares south, 53 Alba Wagtails south, 2 Rock Pipits west, 306 Meadow Pipits south, 162 Chaffinch south, 89 Greenfinch south, 15 Linnets south, 107 Goldfinch south, 10 Siskins south, 16 Redpolls south and 4 Reed Buntings south.

Grounded Migrants 

21 Blackbirds, 10 Song Thrushes, 1 Wheatear, 1 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaffs and 10 Goldcrests.

 

 Wheatear

Others 

2 Buzzards, 350 Pink-footed Geese, 85 Golden Plovers, 35 Snipe, 31 Black-tailed Godwits, 115 Sanderling, 5 Med. Gulls, 4 Rock Pipits, 120 Linnets, 6 Twite, 150 Goldfinch and 1 Barn Owl.

 

 Buzzard

Ringing

3 Blackbirds, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Robin, 2 Chaffinch and 10 Greenfinch.

Song Thrush

Friday, 12th October 2012

Offshore

1 Scaup west, 1 Goldeneye west, 11 Common Scoters west, 5 Red-breasted Mergansers west, 6 Red-throated Divers west, 5 Great Crested Grebes west, 8 Kittiwakes west, 3 Little Gulls west, 4 Guillemots west, 2 Razorbills west and 36 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration 

3 Alba Wagtails south, 9 Meadow Pipits south and 8 Chaffinch south.

Grounded Migrants 

1 Song Thrush, 5 Blackbirds, 1 Redwing and 3 Goldcrests.

Others

2 Gadwall, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 800 Pink-footed Geese, 1,000 Lapwings, 135 Golden Plovers, 43 Black-tailed Godwits, 93 Sanderlings, 285 Turnstones, 3 Med. Gulls, 2 Peregrines and 1 Tawny Owl - flushed while retrieving ropes from a waterlogged net ride, the first seen at the Obs this year.

Thursday, 11th October 2012

Offshore 

76 Common Scoters west, 2 Red-throated Divers west, 3 Guillemots west, 1 Razorbill west and 11 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration 

68 Pink -footed Geese south, 1 Skylark south, 1 Redwing east, 2 Grey Wagtails south, 15 Alba Wagtails south, 3 Rock Pipits west, 18 Meadow Pipits south, 7 Coal Tits south, 22 Chaffinch south, 1 Linnet south, 5 Goldfinch south and 1 Reed Bunting south.

Grounded Migrants 

17 Blackbirds, 10 Song Thrushes, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcaps, 18 Goldcrests, 24 Coal Tits, 1 Jay and 3 House Martin dropped in during rain.

Others 

1 Little Egret, 21 Snipe, 1 Jack Snipe, 31 Ringed Plovers, 78 Sanderling, 2 Med. Gulls and 1 Rock Pipit.

Wednesday, 10th October 2012

Offshore 

7 Teal west, 134 Common Scoters west, 6 Red-breasted Mergansers, 7 (2 west & 5 on sea) Red-throated Diver, 3 (1 east & 2 on sea) Great Crested Grebes and 1 Auk sp. west.

 

Visible Migration 

1 Lapland Bunting flew west at 07:30, 7 (4 & 3) Whooper Swans south, 628 Pink-footed Geese north, 2 Snipe east, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers west, 28 Carrion Crows south, 3 Redwings south, 6 Grey Wagtails south, 33 Alba Wagtails south,1 Rock Pipit west, 58 Meadow Pipits south, 8 Coal Tits south, 20

Chaffinch south, 28 Greenfinch south, 7 Linnets south, 4 Goldfinch south and 2 Skylarks south.

Grounded Migrants

1 Wheatear, 12 Blackbirds, 4 Song Thrushes, 7 Coal Tits, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 6 Goldcrest and 2 Stonechats - a female joined yesterday`s male.

Others

600 Pink-footed Geese, 175 Golden Plovers, 28 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 400 Knot and 1 Kingfisher.

 

 Kingfisher

Ringing 

1 Robin, 1 Blackbird, 1 Chaffinh and 5 Greenfinch.

Tuesday, 9th October 2012

After two days of favourable conditions for visible migration it was a little quieter over the obs today. However, more Coal Tits moved through and large numbers of Greenfinch were ringed. 

 

Offshore 

10 Shelducks east, 1 Wigeon east, 72 Common Scoters west, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Auk sp. east.

Visible Migration

1,341 Pink-footed Geese north & 227 south, 56 Jackdaw south, 9 Carrion Crow south, 55 Starlings south, 4 Grey Wagtails south, 32 Alba Wagtails south, 2 Rock Pipits east & 1 south, 203 Meadow Pipits south, 49 Coal Tit south - parties of 2, 8, 14, 10, 6 & 9, 1 Jay east, 34 Chaffinch south, 157 Greenfinch south, 12 Linnets south, 9 Goldfinch south, 15 Siskin south, 1 Reed Bunting south, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers south and 1 Redpoll south .

Grounded Migrants

1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Jays, 3 Song Thrushes, 7 Coal Tits, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 male Stonechat and 3 Goldcrests.

Others 

1 Little Egret, 174 Wigeon, 250 Teal, 1 Pintail, 2 Shovelers, 65 Golden Plovers, 750 Lapwings, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 1CY male Merlin and 1 Kingfisher.

Ringing

1 Song Thrush, 1 Coal Tit, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Robin, 4 Meadow Pipits, 2 Great Tits, 1 Dunnock and 72 Greenfinch.

 

 Coal Tit

Monday, 8th October 2012

Another good morning for vis at the obs with the most interesting feature being the irrupting Coal Tits, the first in these kind of numbers since 1985.

Offshore

6 Red-breasted Mergansers west, 19 Common Scoters west, 2 Red-throated Divers west, 2 Great Crested Grebes west and 1 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration

1,500 Pink -footed Geese north, 1 Sparrowhawk south, 8 Golden Plovers east, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker east, 7 Skylarks south, 5 Carrion Crows south, 3 Mistle Thrushes east, 1 Grey Wagtail south, 48 Alba Wagtails south, 1 Rock Pipit west, 116 Meadow Pipits south, 92 Coal Tits east - in flocks of 36, 27, 14, 8 and 7, 4 Tree Sparrows east, 3 Crossbills east, 35 Chaffinch east, 39 Greenfinch east, 10 Linnets south, 13 Goldfinch east and 1 Siskins east.

Grounded Migrants 

2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 12 Song Thrushes, 2 Coal Tits, 3 Wrens, 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 Blackcap and 11 Goldcrests.

Others 

155 Teal, 86 Wigeon, 1 Pintail, 220 Golden Plovers, 700 Lapwings, 33 Ringed Plovers, 130 Sanderlings, 55 Dunlin, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Ruff, 1 Spotted Redshank, 13 Black-tailed Godwits and 235 Turnstones.

Ringing

1 Robin, 1 Chaffinch and 1 Greenfinch.

 Greenfinch

Sunday, 7th October 2012

Despite the murky conditions at first light the morning developed into a good morning for vis with the first Brambling and Redwing for the autumn for the obs recorded.

 

Offshore

4 Red-breasted Mergansers, 16 Common Scoters west, 1 Red-throated Diver west and 1 Great Crested Grebe.

Visible Migration

5 Whooper Swans south, 805 Pink-footed Geese south, 5 Buzzards south, 2 Sparrowhawks south, 2 Kestrel south, 1 Golden Plover south, 34 Carrion Crows south, 84 Jackdaws south, 3 Rooks south, 2 Jays west, 6 Redwings south, 1 Song Thrush south, 91 Swallows south, 27 Skylarks south, 8 Grey Wagtails south, 65 Alba Wagtails south, 2 Rock Pipits west, 475 Meadow Pipits south, 4 Coal Tits south, 69 Chaffinch south, 2 Bramblings south, 159 Greenfinch south, 13 Siskins south, 69 Goldfinch south, 11 Linnets south, 14 Redpolls south and 5 Reed Buntings south.

Pink-footed Geese

Grounded Migrants 

1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 5 Song Thrush, 3 Redwings, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Blackcap, 6 long-tailed Tits and 8 Goldcrests.

Others 

1 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine, 1 Merlin and 2 Barn Owls.

Ringing

3 Robins, 1 Wren, 2 Song Thrush, 3 Blackbirds, 1 Goldcrest, 3 Chaffinch, 47 Greenfinch, 1 male Sparrowhawk, 10 Meadow Pipits, 2 Blue Tits, 1 Great Tit and 3 Lesser Redpolls.

 

 Lesser Redpoll

Saturday, 6th October 2012

Offshore

3 Gannets west, 5 Common Scoters west, 4 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Guillemot west, 1 Great Skua west and 4 Auk sp. west.

 

Visible Migration 

3 Whooper Swans south, 5 Mistle Thrush south, 4 Skylarks south, 9 Carrion Crows south, 5 Jays west, 4 Grey Wagtails south, 8 Alba Wagtails south, 31 Meadow Pipits south, 3 Blue Tits south, 38 Chaffinch south, 1 Greenfinch south, 5 Goldfinch east, 2 Siskins south and 3 Buzzards south.

 

 Buzzards

 

Grounded Migrants

2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Wheatear, 1 Coal Tit, 2 Chiffchaff and 10 Goldcrests.

 

Others 

1 Little Egret, 63 Wigeon, 36 Teal, 500 Lapwings, 65 Sanderling and 3 Med. Gulls.

 

Ringing

1 Wren, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Robin and 2 Chaffinch.