Tuesday, 29th October 2013

A cracking juvenile Pomarine Skua flew west out of the bay this morning and the first Woodcock of the Autumn was recorded. Also of note was a flock of 40 Twite on the saltmarsh; we don`t usually get this sort of number here until mid/late November.

Offshore
2 Shelducks west, 18 Common Scoters west, 1 Velvet Scoter, 1 Red-breasted Merganser east, 3 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Gannet west, 2 Great Crested Grebes west, 1 juvenile Pomarine Skua west, 45 Kittiwakes west, 37 Little Gulls west, 4 Guillemots, 1 Razorbill and 22 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration 
2 Whooper Swans south.

Grounded Migrants 
1 Woodcock, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Song Thrushes and 3 Redwings.

Others:
1 Goldeneye, 1 Little Egret, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 110 Sanderlings, 16 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1 Med. Gull and 40 Twite.

Little Grebes

Monday, 28th October 2013

Offshore
23 Common Scoters west, 1 Velvet Scoter, 4 Red-breasted Merganser west, 5 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Gannet west, 1 Great Skua west, 23 Kittiwakes west, 11 Little Gulls west,  5 Guillemots, 1 Razorbill and 16 Auk sp. west.

Further observation over the afternoon tide produced 1 Gannet west, 1 Great Crested Grebe west, 38 Kittiwakes west and 63 Little Gulls west.

Grounded Migrants
1 Goldcrest, 1 Song Thrush and 4 Redwings.

Others 
420 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Gadwalls, 1 Goldeneye, 7 Red-breasted Mergansers, 1 Peregrine, 93 Grey Plovers, 250 Knot, 70 Dunlins, 6 Bar-tailed Godwits, 2 Med. Gulls and 1 Stonechat.

Kestrel

Sunday, 27th October 2013

Offshore 

5 Wigeon west, 48 Common Scoters west, 1 Velvet Scoter, 1 Red-breasted Merganser west, 3 Red-throated Divers west, 2 Gannets west, 1 Great Crested Grebe west, 34 Kittiwakes west, 24 Little Gulls west, 5 Guillemots west, 1 Razorbill west and 46 Auk sp. west.

:Visible Migration

2 Alba Wagtails south, 3 Meadow Pipits south and 4 Goldfinch south.

Grounded Migrants:

3 Goldcrests, 1 abietinus Chiffchaff, 7 Blackbirds, 3 Song Thrushes and 8 Redwings.

 

 abietinus Chiffchaff

Others

2 Gadwalls, 1 Goldeneye, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers, 55 Golden Plovers, 7 Black-tailed Godwits and 1 Stonechat.

Ringing

1 Goldcrest, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Blue Tits, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Greenfinch and 2 Goldfinch.

 

abietinus Chiffchaff

Saturday, 26th October 2013

Offshore

55 Teal east, 80 Pintails east, 45 Common Scoters west, 1 Velvet Scoter, 5 Red-breasted Mergansers, 4 Red-throated Divers west, 2 Great Crested Grebes west, 7 Kittiwakes west, 1 Little Gull west, 3 Guillemots west and 7 Auk sp. west. Also one Atlantic Grey Seal.

Visible Migration 

12 Skylarks south, 9 Alba Wagtails south, 46 Meadow Pipits south, 28 Chaffinch south, 7 Goldfinch south and 5 Reed Buntings south.

Grounded Migrants 

3 Goldcrests, 5 Blackbirds, 5 Song Thrushes, 4 Redwings and 2 Reed Buntings.

Others 

480 Pink-footed Geese, 500 Teal, 2 Gadwalls, 1 Goldeneye, 1 Little Egret, 1 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, 2 Water Rails, 31 Ringed Plovers, 175 Golden Plovers, 63 Grey Plovers, 90 Sanderlings, 75 Dunlins, 1 Jack Snipe, 13 Snipe, 33 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Med. Gulls, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Little Owl and 26 Greenfinches.

 

 Sanderlings

 

 Gadwall

Ringing 

1 Robin, 3 Wrens, 2 Chaffinch, 1 Greenfinch and 3 Reed Buntings.

 

 Reed Bunting

Friday, 25th October 2013

Offshore 

11 Wigeon west, 7 Pintails west, 55 Common Scoters, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Guillemots and 4 Auk sp. west. Also 1 Atlantic Grey Seal.

Visible Migration

1 Sparrowhawk south, 55 Jackdaws south, 4 Carrion Crows south, 5 Skylarks south, 1,068 Starlings west, 1 Grey Wagtail south, 2 Alba Wagtails south, 13 Meadow Pipits south, 34 Chaffinch south, 11 Greenfinch south, 7 Goldfinch south and 18 Linnets south.

Grounded Migrants 

1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Goldcrests, 1 Chiffchaff, 15 Blackbirds, 3 Song Thrushes and 3 Redwings.

Others 

800 Teal, 350 Wigeon, 2 Gadwalls, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 1 Goldeneye, 1 Peregrine, 47 Ringed Plovers, 215 Golden Plovers, 800 Lapwings, 120 Sanderlings, 17 Black-tailed Godwits and 6 Rock Pipits.

 

  Sanderlings

Ringing

1 Goldcrest and 1 Goldfinch.

 

 Goldcrest

Thursday, 24th October 2013

With light winds and clear skies over the peninsular it was a "vis" day today. The main species on the move was Skylark with small parties moving south through much of the day and the days total was 359. The highlight was a Lapland Bunting which flew west along the coast calling, making it the 200th species to be recorded at the Obs this year.

Offshore

38 Common Scoters west, 1 Velvet Scoter, 2 Red-throated Divers west, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers, 1 juv Shag west, 6 Kittiwakes west, 5 Little Gulls, 2 Guillemots west and 9 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration

19 Whooper Swans south, 1 Sparrowhawk south, 17 Woodpigeons east, 94 Jackdaws south, 7 Carrion Crows south, 359 Skylarks south, 53 Starlings south, 1 Grey Wagtail south, 25 Alba Wagtails south, 118 Meadow Pipits south, 2 Rock Pipits east, 113 Chaffinch south, 4 Brambling south, 46 Greenfinch south, 36 Goldfinch south, 2 Siskins east, 8 Linnets south, 1 Twite east, 2 Redpolls south, 1 Lapland Bunting west and 15 Reed Buntings south.

 

 Skylarks

Grounded Migrants

3 Goldcrests, 2 Song Thrushes and 7 Redwings.

 

 Goldcrest

Others 

750 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Barnacle Geese, 194 Teals, 166 Wigeons, 1 Water Rail, 13 Little Grebes, 51 Ringed Plovers, 155 Sanderlings, 11 Black-tailed Godwits, 162 Lapwings, 300 Turnstones, 2 Med. Gulls, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Barn Owl and 2 Rock Pipits.

 

Sanderlings

Ringing 

1 Goldcrest, 3 Wrens, 1 Robin, 1 Chaffinch, 3 Greenfinch and 1 Goldfinch.

 

Goldfinch

Wednesday, 23rd October 2013

Offshore

16 Wigeon west, 37 Pintails west, 12 Common Scoters west, 1 Red-breasted Merganser west, 4 Gannets west, 3 Red-throated Divers west, 4 Great Crested Grebes west, 49 Kittiwakes west, 28 Little Gulls west, 4 Guillemots west, 2 Razorbills west and 28 Auk sp. west.

Grounded Migrants

2 Goldcrests, 1 Song Thrush and 2 Redwings.

Others:

800 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Barnacle Geese, 470 Wigeons, 500 Teal, 1 Gadwall, 1 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine, 42 Ringed Plovers, 500 Sanderlings - including a colour ringed bird, 260 Turnstones and 1 Stonechat.

 

 Stonechat

 

 Sanderlings and Turnstones

Tuesday, 22nd October 2013

Offshore:

26 Common Scoters west, 1 Red-breasted Merganser west, 4 Red-throated Divers west & 1 on the sea, 1 Kittiwake west, 1 Guillemot west and 5 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration

4 Skylarks south, 11 Fieldfares east, 8 Redwings east, 3 Meadow Pipits south, 98 Chaffinch east/south-east, 4 Bramblings east/south-east, 26 Greenfinch east/south-east, 22 Goldfinch east/south-east, 1 Siskin east and 1 Reed Bunting east.

Grounded Migrants 

6 Goldcrests, 1 Chiffchaff, 10 Blackbirds, 2 Song Thrushes, 11 Redwings and 1 Wheatear.

Others 

1,000 Pink-footed Geese, 1 juvenile Greenland White-fronted Goose, 6 Barnacle Geese, 580 Wigeons, 450 Teal, 2 Pintails, 3 Shovelers, 1 Little Egret, 58 Ringed Plovers, 620 Sanderlings, 44 Black-tailed Godwits, 360 Turnstones and 3 Med. Gulls.

 

 Sanderlings and Turnstones

Ringing

2 Greenfinch.

 

 Robin

Monday, 21st October 2013

Offshore

4 Pintails west, 16 Common Scoters west, 1 Velvet Scoter, 2 Red-throated Divers, 2 Kittiwakes west and 3 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration

3 Meadow Pipits south, 68 Chaffinch south/south-east, 23 Greenfinches south/south-east and 27 Goldfinch south/south-east.

Grounded Migrants

2 Goldcrests, 20 Blackbirds, 11 Song Thrushes, 23 Redwings and 1 Wheatear.

Others 

43 Ringed Plovers, 400 Sanderlings and 230 Turnstones.

 

 Sanderlings

 

 Turnstone

Ringing 

1 Great Tit, 2 Blackbirds, 1 Robin, 12 Greenfinch and 4 Goldfinch.

 

 Robin

Sunday, 20th October 2013

Frustration today with a Yellow-browed Warbler that was heard only. It seemed to be following a rapidly moving party of Long-tailed Tits through thick cover and was heard to call twice but could not be located.

Offshore 

5 Wigeons west, 17 Eiders, 31 Common Scoters west, 2 Red-throated Divers, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration

1 Short-eared Owl south, 24 Jackdaws south, 2 Blackbirds south-east, 2 Mistle Thrushes south-east, 1 Redwing south, 5 Fieldfares south, 7 Tree Sparrows south-west, 4 Meadow Pipits south, 17 Alba Wagtails south, 1 Grey Wagtail south, 58 Chaffinch east/south-east, 9 Greenfinches east/south-east, 6 Goldfinch east/south-east, 1 Linnet south and 1 Reed Bunting south.

Grounded Migrants 

10 Goldcrests, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler heard only, 2 Chiffchaffs, 21 Blackbirds, 3 Fieldfares, 7 Song Thrushes, 30 Redwings, 1 new Stonechat and 2 Wheatears.

 

 Stonechat

Others

230 Teal, 1 Goldeneye, 42 Ringed Plovers, 260 Sanderlings, 10 Snipe, 375 Turnstones, 1 Med. Gull, 1 Stonechat, 5 Rock Pipits and 120 Goldfinch.

 

 Stonechat

Ringing

1 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Redwings and 1 Chaffinch.

 

 Song Thrush

Saturday, 19th October 2013

The main feature today was an arrival of Wigeon, with many moving west offshore and a large flock of 500 on the marshes.

 

Offshore 

222 Wigeons west, 12 Teal west, 9 Pintails west, 274 Common Scoters west, 1 Velvet Scoter still present, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers west & 4 on the sea, 3 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Gannet west, 2 Great Crested Grebes west, 1 Arctic Skua west, 1 Guillemot and 7 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration 

1 Buzzard south, 21 Lapwings west high offshore, 2 Skylarks east, 1 Starling 'in off', 1 Redwing south-east, 1 Grey Wagtail south, 3 Alba Wagtails south, 7 Meadow Pipits south/south-east, 3 Rock Pipits south, 23 Chaffinch east/south-east, 6 Greenfinch east/south-east, 6 Goldfinch east/south-east and 2 Reed Buntings east.

Grounded Migrants 

3 Goldcrests, 1 Chiffchaff, 10 Blackbirds, 2 Song Thrushes, 7 Redwings, 2 Wheatears, 1 Brambling and 1 Lesser Redpoll.

 

 Wheatear and Stonechat

Brambling

Others

500 Wigeon, 130 Teal, 6 Pintails, 41 Ringed Plovers, 22 Golden Plovers, 126 Grey Plovers, 200 Knot, 280 Sanderlings, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 300 Dunlins, 23 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Spotted Redshank, 280 Turnstones, 2 Med. Gulls and 1 Barn Owl.

Ringing

1 Wren, 1 Chaffinch and 4 Greenfinches.

 

 Chaffinch

Friday, 18th October 2013

Offshore 

1 Tufted Duck west, 33 Common Scoters west, 1 male Velvet Scoter seen again on the sea, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers west, 1 Red-throated Diver west, 1 Gannet west, 1 Guillemot and 8 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration 

23 Pink-footed Geese south, 1 Carrion Crow south, 3 Skylarks east, 7 Blackbirds south-east, 6 Redwings south-east, 7 Starlings south, 2 Grey Wagtails south, 11 Alba Wagtails south/south-east, 13 Meadow Pipits south/south-east, 98 Chaffinch east/south-east, 3 Bramblings east/south-east, 16 Greenfinch east/south-east and 3 Goldfinch east/south-east.

 

 Pink-footed Geese

Grounded Migrants

6 Goldcrests, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Ring Ouzel - noisy bird flying around just after dawn and nearly trapped for ringing, 43 Blackbirds, 2 Fieldfares, 11 Song Thrushes, 33 Redwings and 1 Wheatear.

Others

16 Snipe, 11 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Med. Gull, 1 Barn Owl and 1 Stonechat.

 

 Ring Ouzel

Ringing

3 Blackbirds, 1 Redwing, 2 Wrens, 11 Greenfinch and 1 Reed Bunting.

 

 Reed Bunting

Thursday, 17th October 2013

Offshore

52 Common Scoters west, 1 male Velvet Scoter - on sea by the coastguards before flying off west, 9 Red-breasted Mergansers east & 1 west, 4 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Great Northern Diver west (Monday`s adult again), 1 Gannet east, 1 Kittiwake west, 4 Guillemots west, 1 Razorbill west and 102 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration 

3 Skylarks east, 3 Alba Wagtails south, 10 Meadow Pipits south, 17 Chaffinch east, 10 Greenfinch east and 2 Siskins east.

Grounded Migrants

5 Goldcrests, 35 Blackbirds, 4 Song Thrushes, 14 Redwings, 1 Stonechat and 2 Wheatears.

 

 Stonechat

 

 Wheatear

Others 

1 Peregrine, 4 Water Rails, 34 Ringed Plovers, 225 Sanderlings, 220 Turnstones, 1 Med. Gull and 1 Barn Owl.

Ringing 

1 Goldcrest, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Great Tit, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Robin, 1 Wren and 4 Greenfinch.

 

 Grey Heron

Wednesday, 16th October 2013

Offshore

6 Shelducks west, 33 Common Scoters west, 2 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Guillemots, 1 Razorbill and 15 Auk sp. east.

Visible Migration

6 Whooper Swans east, 181 Pink-footed Geese east, 1 Sparrowhawk east, 14 Carrion Crows east/south-east, 10 Skylarks east, 26 Starlings south, 1 Blackbird south-east, 2 Fieldfares east, 4 Song Thrushes south-east, 26 Redwings east, 2 Tree Sparrows east, 1 Grey Wagtail east, 17 Alba Wagtails south/south-east, 27 Meadow Pipits east, 215 Chaffinch east/south-east, 7 Bramblings east/south-east, 24 Greenfinch east/south-east, 38 Goldfinch east/south-east, 2 Linnets south, 2 Redpolls east and 6 Reed Buntings east.

 

 Whooper Swans

Grounded Migrants

2 Goldcrests, 20 Blackbirds, 5 Fieldfares, 7 Song Thrushes, 55 Redwings, 2 Wheatears and 1 Reed Bunting.

Others 

300 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Peregrine, 32 Golden Plovers, 600 Lapwings, 1 Med. Gull and 1 Stonechat.

Ringing

3 Great Tits, 1 Wren, 1 Chaffinch and 2 Greenfinches.

Tuesday, 15th October 2013

The main feature today was a good 'vis' movement with the majority of the birds moving east, the highlight being a single Yellowhammer. A Black Redstart found in the afternoon was the first this Autumn.

Offshore

13 Teal west, 17 Eiders, 94 Common Scoters east, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers east, 2 Red-throated Divers west & 1 on the sea, 1 Gannet east, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Guillemots, 2 Razorbills and 41 Auk sp. east.

Visible Migration 

4 Whooper Swans east, 94 Pink-footed Geese south, 1 Little Egret east, 3 Snipe east, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker east, 19 Jackdaws east, 2 Rooks east, 18 Carrion Crows east, 43 Skylarks east, 4 Swallows south, 19 Starlings south, 1 Dunnock east, 1 Grey Wagtail south, 22 Alba Wagtails south/south-east, 71 Meadow Pipits east, 3 Rock Pipits east, 208 Chaffinch east/south-east, 6 Bramblings east/south-east, 67 Greenfinch east/south-east, 41 Goldfinch east/south-east, 7 Siskins east, 12 Linnets south, 1 Redpoll south-west, 1 Yellowhammer east and 36 Reed Buntings east.

Grounded Migrants

5 Goldcrests, 1 Chiffchaff, 26 Blackbirds, 11 Fieldfares, 10 Song Thrushes, 75 Redwings, 1 Black Redstart, 3 Stonechats, 5 Wheatears and 6 Reed Buntings.

Stonechat

Others 

600 Pink-footed Geese, 3 Pintails, 1 Peregrine, 1 Water Rail, 31 Ringed Plovers, 55 Sanderlings, 14 Black-tailed Godwits, 200 Turnstones, 3 Med. Gulls and 1 Barn Owl.

Ringing

1 Great Tit, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Fieldfare, 2 Blackbirds, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Wren, 1 Robin, 12 Chaffinch and 15 Greenfinch.

 Fieldfare

Monday, 14th October 2013

Strong northerly winds in Autumn are usually poor for sea-watching here, but today was surprisingly good. One of the first birds seen this morning was a Black Guillemot flying east and 5 minutes later a cracking Great Northern Diver flew east just offshore - the closest seen off here in 30 years of sea-watching at the site. A little later a superb male Velvet Scoter flew into the Bay.

Offshore 

4 Wigeon west, 1 Teal east, 1 Pintail west, 55 Common Scoters east, 1 male Velvet Scoter east, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers west, 6 Red-throated Divers east, 1 west & 1 on the sea, 1 adult Great Northern Diver east, 9 Gannets east, 1 juvenile Shag, 1 Great Crested Grebe east, 12 Guillemots, 5 Razorbills, 40 Auk sp. and 1 1st winter Black Guillemot east at 07:55.

Visible Migration 

14 Pink-footed Geese south, 1 Grey Heron east, 4 Alba Wagtails south and 7 Meadow Pipits south.

Grounded Migrants

2 Goldcrests, 2 Song Thrushes, 12 Redwings and 3 Wheatears.

 

 Wheatear

Others

225 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 1 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine, 9 Black-tailed Godwits and 1 Med. Gull.

Ringing

1 Goldcrest, 2 Blue Tits, 1 Great Tit and 3 Greenfinches.

 

 Goldcrest

 

 Greenfinch

Sunday, 13th October 2013

Offshore

84 Common Scoters west, 4 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Great Crested Grebe east, 1 Guillemot west and 14 Auk sp. east.

Visible Migration

147 Pink-footed Geese south, 3 Alba Wagtails south, 10 Meadow Pipits south, 6 Chaffinch south and 3 Goldfinch east.

Grounded Migrants

3 Goldcrests, 1 Chiffchaff, 5 Song Thrushes, 6 Redwings and 3 Wheatears.

 

 Wheatear

Others

320 Wigeons, 100 Teal, 2 Pintails, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Merlin, 2 Water Rails, 38 Ringed Plovers, 63 Sanderlings, 19 Black-tailed Godwits, 270 Turnstones, 1 Med. Gull and 3 Rock Pipits.