Sunday, 29th October 2017

Offshore

32 Shelducks east, 27 Common Scoters west, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 6 Red-throated Divers west & 1 east, 6 Great Crested Grebes east, 2 Razorbills east, 6 Guillemots east and 23 Auk sp. east.

 

 Shelducks

Visible Migration 

22 Whooper Swans south, 257 Pink-footed Geese south, 28 Wood Pigeons south, 217 Jackdaws south, 1 Raven south-east, 23 Skylarks south/south-east, 12 Starlings south, 47 Fieldfares east, 4 Redwings east, 1 Mistle Thrush south-east, 3 Alba Wagtails east, 23 Meadow Pipits east, 1 Rock Pipit south, 1 Brambling east, 26 Chaffinch east, 4 Linnets east, 1 Redpoll east, 5 Goldfinch east and 3 Reed Buntings south-east.

 

 Woodpigeons

 

 Whooper Swans

Grounded Migrants 

3 Goldcrests, 1 Chiffchaff and 6 Redwings.

Others 

2500 Pink-footed Geese, 560 Wigeons, 525 Teals, 4 Pintails, 5 Shovelers, 3 Goldeneyes, 4 Little Egrets, 1 Water Rail, 575 Lapwings, 125 Turnstones, 115 Knots, 130 Sanderlings, 110 Dunlins, 2 Jack Snipes, 37 Snipe, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Stonechats, 1 Wheatear, 5 Rock Pipits and 26 Linnets.

 

 Little Egret

Ringing

1 Chiffchaff, 18 Pied Wagtails, 2 Chaffinch, 3 Greenfinch and 1 Reed Bunting.

Saturday, 28th October 2017

Offshore

2 Shelducks west, 22 Common Scoters west, 1 Goldeneye west, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers west, 2 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Black-throated Diver - yesterdays bird on the sea off the scar before flying off west, 2 Razorbills west, 1 Guillemot west, 7 Auk sp. west and 9 Kittiwakes west.

 

 Black-throated Diver

Visible Migration 

1 Merlin in off the sea, 144 Fieldfares east and 35 Redwings east.

Grounded Migrants

3 Goldcrests, 6 Fieldfares, 2 Song Thrushes and 70 Redwings.

Others 

1000 Pink-footed Geese, 470 Wigeons, 450 Teals, 3 Goldeneyes, 3 Little Egrets, 470 Lapwings, 38 Golden Plovers, 22 Black-tailed Godwits, 220 Turnstones, 120 Knots, 140 Dunlins, 1 Med. Gull, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Stonechats, 1 Wheatear and 45 Goldfinch.

 

Knot and Redshank

 

 Goldeneyes

Friday, 27th October 2017

Offshore:

6 Wigeons west, 2 Teal west, 58 Eiders, 34 Common Scoters west, 6 Red-breasted Mergansers, 7 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Black-throated Diver - drifted in on the incoming tide this afternoon, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Razorbills west, 1 Guillemot west, 17 Auk sp. west and 1 Little Gull west.

Visible Migration:

4 Whooper Swans south, 417 Pink-footed Geese south, 1 Sparrowhawk south, 160 Jackdaws south, 13 Carrion Crows south, 52 Skylarks south, 31 Starlings south, 2 Tree Sparrows south, 6 Fieldfares south-east, 1 Mistle Thrush south, 12 Redwings south-east, 1 Grey Wagtail south, 4 Alba Wagtails south, 22 Meadow Pipits south, 1 Rock Pipit west, 4 Bramblings south-east, 94 Chaffinch south-east, 46 Greenfinch south, 38 Linnets south, 51 Goldfinch south, 4 Siskins south-east and 7 Reed Buntings south-east.

Grounded Migrants:

1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Goldcrests, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Song Thrushes, 15 Redwings, 1 Wheatear and 1 Snow Bunting.

Others 

15 Whooper Swans, 2000 Pink-footed Geese, 525 Wigeons, 580 Teals, 1 Pintail, 2 Shovelers, 1 Goldeneye, 4 Little Egrets, 570 Lapwings, 65 Golden Plovers, 44 Ringed Plovers, 11 Black-tailed Godwits, 140 Turnstones, 170 Sanderlings, 190 Dunlins, 1 Med. Gull, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Stonechats and 45 Goldfinch.

 

 Whooper Swans

Ringing 

1 Goldcrest, 2 Blackbirds, 2 Redwings, 1 Wren, 1 Dunnock, 6 Chaffinch and 6 Reed Buntings.

 

 Redwing

Thursday, 26th October 2017

Offshore 

2 Shelducks west, 3 Teal west, 33 Common Scoters west, 7 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Red-throated Divers west and 1 Great Crested Grebe.

Visible Migration:

9 Jackdaws south, 10 Carrion Crows south, 4 Skylarks south, 170 Starlings south, 2 Mistle Thrushes south, 5 Song Thrushes south-east, 1 Grey Wagtail south, 2 Alba Wagtails south, 7 Meadow Pipits south, 2 Rock Pipits west, 4 Bramblings south-east, 91 Chaffinch south-east, 4 Goldfinch south and 1 Siskin east.

Grounded Migrants

6 Goldcrests, 1 Chiffchaff, 7 Song Thrushes, 35 Redwings and 1 Wheatear.

 

 Wheatear

Others:

1 Whooper Swan, 3000 Pink-footed Geese, 535 Wigeons, 500 Teals, 2 Pintails, 4 Shovelers, 4 Pochards, 6 Little Egrets, 2 Water Rails, 460 Lapwings, 42 Ringed Plovers, 52 Black-tailed Godwits, 215 Turnstones, 90 Sanderlings, 135 Dunlins, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Merlin, 3 Cettis Warblers, 2 Stonechats, 2 Rock Pipits and

5 Twite.

 

Pochard

Ringing 

2 Goldcrests, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Wrens, 1 Robin, 20 Pied Wagtails, 2 Greenfinch and 1 Reed Bunting.

 

Pied Wagtail

Wednesday, 25th October 2017

Offshore

41 Common Scoters west, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers, 4 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Great Crested Grebe east, 1 Guillemot west and 4 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration 

2 Wood Pigeons south, 117 Jackdaws south, 22 Starlings south, 2 Mistle Thrushes south-east, 1 Alba Wagtail south, 9 Meadow Pipits south, 34 Chaffinch south, 1 Brambling south and 7 Greenfinch south.

Grounded Migrants

2 Song Thrushes and 15 Redwings.

Others 

1500 Pink-footed Geese, 525 Wigeons, 250 Teals, 1 Pintail, 3 Little Egrets, 300 Lapwings, 47 Ringed Plovers, 180 Turnstones, 115 Sanderlings, 100 Dunlins, 1 Jack Snipe, 24 Snipe, 2 Stonechats, 3 Rock Pipits, 17 Linnets and 5 Twite.

 

 Wigeon

Tuesday, 24th October 2017

Offshore 

4 Wigeons west, 28 Common Scoters west, 6 Red-breasted Mergansers, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Guillemot.

 

 Guillemot

Visible Migration

3 Skylarks south, 6 Starlings south, 3 Song Thrushes south-east, 1 Tree Sparrow south, 1 Grey Wagtail south, 4 Meadow Pipits south, 94 Chaffinch south, 2 Bramblings south, 4 Greenfinch south and 7 Goldfinch south.

Grounded Migrants 

5 Goldcrests, 3 Song Thrushes and 16 Redwings.

Others

750 Pink-footed Geese, 500 Wigeons, 275 Teals, 1 Pintail, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Water Rail, 450 Lapwings, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 44 Ringed Plovers, 220 Turnstones, 125 Sanderlings, 100 Dunlins, 13 Snipe, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Stonechats and 2 Rock Pipits.

 

 Long-tailed Tit

Monday, 23rd October 2017

Offshore

2 Teals west, 60 Common Scoters west, 1 Velvet Scoter west, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers, 3 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Guillemot west.

Visible Migration

8 Skylarks south, 4 Redwings south-east, 1 Alba Wagtail south, 24 Meadow Pipits south, 33 Chaffinch south, 12 Greenfinch south, 34 Goldfinch, 7 Siskins south and 4 Reed Buntings south.

Grounded Migrants 

6 Goldcrests, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Fieldfare, 4 Song Thrushes and 11 Redwings.

Others 

2000 Pink-footed Geese, 500 Wigeons, 475 Teals, 3 Pintails, 1 Shoveler, 1 Goldeneye, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Water Rails, 520 Lapwings, 44 Ringed Plovers, 14 Black-tailed Godwits, 130 Turnstones, 78 Sanderlings, 150 Dunlins, 1 Little Stint, 6 Snipe, 1 Med. Gull, 2 Cettis Warblers, 2 Stonechats, 3 Twite and 50 Goldfinch.

 

 Pink-footed Goose

Goldeneye

Ringing

1 Goldcrest, 5 Blue Tits, 3 Great Tits, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Robin, 2 Chaffinch and 1 Goldfinch.

 

 Chaffinch

Sunday, 22nd October 2017

Offshore

1 pale-bellied Brent Goose west, 6 Wigeons west, 12 Teals west, 11 Pintails west, 25 Common Scoters west, 1 Red-breasted Merganser west, 2 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Great Northern Diver west, 1 Shag west, 1 Great Crested Grebe west, 1 Razorbill west, 2 Guillemots west, 7 Auk sp. west, 17 Kittiwakes west and 1 Little Gull west.

 

 Great Northern Diver

Others 

270 Pink-footed Geese, 415 Wigeons, 375 Teal, 2 Pintails, 1 Shoveler, 2 Little Egrets, 375 Lapwings, 52 Ringed Plovers, 11 Black-tailed Godwits, 180 Turnstones, 120 Sanderlings, 140 Dunlins, 1 Little Stint, 500 Redshanks, 16 Snipe, 1 Med. Gull, 2 Stonechats and 2 Rock Pipits.

 

 Fieldfare

 

Ringing

Every year in the Swallow roost we always catch and ring a few Sand Martins, and occasionally we will control one (capture a bird with a ring on that hasn't been ringed by us). The Google Earth image below shows the movement of one such bird. This Sand Martin was ringed as a pulli at a colony near Applegarthtown, Lockerbie in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. It was ringed as part of a brood of three on 7th July 2017. 45 days later we controlled it at the Obs on 21st August 2017, which is 140 km south of its natal area. Movements like this give us an idea where some of our birds come from, and demonstrate how important roost sites are for migrant birds such as Hirundines.  

 

 (click image above to enlarge)

Saturday, 21st October 2017

Offshore

3 Shelducks west, 5 Wigeons west, 13 Common Scoters west, 1 Goldeneye east, 6 Red-breasted Mergansers, 1 Great Crested Grebe west, 2 Auk sp. west and 1 Kittiwake west.

Visible Migration 

1 Spotted Redshank west, 3 Meadow Pipits south, 1 Rock Pipit west and 11 Chaffinch south.

Grounded Migrants

11 Redwings and 1 Wheatear.

 

 Wheatear

Others 

1800 Pink-footed Geese, 480 Wigeons, 500 Teal, 1 Shoveler, 3 Little Egrets, 500 Lapwings, 62 Ringed Plovers, 29 Black-tailed Godwits, 120 Turnstones, 180 Sanderlings, 80 Dunlins, 7 Snipe, 1 Cetti's Warbler

and 2 Stonechats.

 

 Stonechat

Friday, 20th October 2017

Offshore 

6 Wigeons west, 40 Common Scoters west, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers, 3 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Great Crested grebe east and 2 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration 

5 Tree Sparrows east, 1 Alba Wagtail south, 6 Meadow Pipits south, 1 Rock Pipit south, 4 Chaffinch south and 6 Goldfinch south.

Grounded Migrants 

6 Goldcrests, 1 Chiffchaff and 7 Redwings.

Others:

3000 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Barnacle Goose, 400 Wigeons, 225 Teal, 1 Pintail, 5 Little Egrets, 470 Lapwings, 9 Golden Plovers, 56 Ringed Plovers, 14 Black-tailed Godwits, 170 Turnstones, 125 Sanderlings, 120 Dunlins, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 11 Snipe, 1 Med. Gull, 1 Cettis Warbler and 2 Stonechats.

 

 

Purple Sandpiper

 

Ringing

The Google Earth image below shows the movement of a Reed Warbler ringed at the Obs on 5th August 2017 and controlled (recaptured by another ringer) on 28th August 2017 in Wiltshire. This was a movement of 305 km in a SSE direction. This was likely a brief stopover, before refueling for a longer hop on the south coast.

 

 

Thursday, 19th October 2017

Offshore 

26 Common Scoters west, 6 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Red-throated Divers west, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Great Skua east, 1 Guillemot west and 4 Auk sp. west.

Great Skua

Visible Migration

500 Pink-footed Geese south, 7 Carrion Crows south, 22 Skylarks south, 2 Fieldfares south-east, 3 Song Thrushes south-east, 320 Redwings south/south-east, 4 Mistle Thrushes south, 2 Grey Wagtails south, 9 Alba Wagtails south, 72 Meadow Pipits south, 5 Bramblings south/south-east, 70 Chaffinch south/south-east, 7 Greenfinch south, 5 Linnets south and 17 Goldfinch south.

Grounded Migrants 

15 Goldcrests, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Treecreeper, 2 Song Thrushes and 4 Wheatears.

 

 Wheatears

Others

1100 Pink-footed Geese, 330 Wigeons, 200 Teal, 1 Pintail, 4 Little Egrets, 430 Lapwings, 43 Ringed Plovers, 9 Black-tailed Godwits, 115 Turnstones, 80 Sanderlings, 115 Dunlins, 1 Jack Snipe- flushed in the Mount!, 1 Med. Gull and 2 Stonechats.

 

 Little Egret

Wednesday, 18th October 2017

Offshore 

56 Common Scoters west, 7 Red-throated Divers west, 2 Great Crested Grebes west, 1 Guillemot west and 5 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration

4 Whooper Swans south, 425 Pink-footed Geese north, 14 Wood Pigeons south, 7 Collared Doves south, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker west, 165 Jackdaws south, 4 Rooks south, 43 Carrion Crows south, 195

Skylarks south, 2 Swallows south, 47 Starlings south, 12 Redwings south-east, 11 Tree Sparrows south, 1 Grey Wagtail south, 42 Alba Wagtails south, 153 Meadow Pipits south, 1 Rock Pipit west, 7 Bramblings south/south-east, 152 Chaffinch south/south-east, 38 Greenfinch south, 42 Linnets south, 1 Redpoll south-east, 44 Goldfinch south, 14 Siskins south/south-east and 16 Reed Buntings south/south-east.

 

 Jackdaws

 

 Skylark

Grounded Migrants 

11 Goldcrests, 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Song Thrushes, 8 Redwings and 1 Wheatear.

Others 

3000 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Barnacle Goose, 320 Wigeons, 280 Teals, 3 Pintails, 4 Shovelers, 6 Little Egrets, 500 Lapwings, 22 Golden Plovers, 21 Black-tailed Godwits, 170 Turnstones, 160 Sanderlings, 120 Dunlins, 1 Med. Gull, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Cettis Warblers, 2 Stonechats and 1 Bullfinch.

 

 Shovelers

Ringing 

1 Goldcrest, 2 Blue Tits, 4 Great Tits, 1 Wren, 1 Chaffinch, 3 Goldfinch and 5 Reed Buntings.

Tuesday, 17th October 2017

Storm Ophelia rattled through today producing some good seawatching, the highlights being thee species of Skua and 3 Leach`s Petrels. Frustratingly a small Storm/Wilson's type Petrel was seen first thing in poor light, but was too far out to identify.

Leach's Petrel

Offshore

1 Wigeon east, 14 Pintails west, 13 Shovelers west, 12 Common Scoters west, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers west, 3 Leach`s Petrels west, 2 LM Pomarine Skuas west, 2 Arctic Skuas west, 3 Great Skuas west, 1 Guillemot west, 8 Auk sp. west, 1 Sandwich Tern west, 16 Kittiwakes west and 4 Little Gulls west.

 

 Pintails

 

 Pomarine Skuas (above & below)

Visible Migration 

5 Whooper Swans south and 4 Meadow Pipits south.

Others 

300 Wigeons, 225 Teals, 4 Little Egrets, 2 Water Rails, 500 Lapwings, 47 Ringed Plovers, 12 Black-tailed Godwits, 110 Turnstones, 125 Sanderlings, 100 Dunlins, 1 Greenshank, 1 Med. Gull, 1 Kingfisher and 2 Stonechats.

Monday, 16th October 2017

Offshore

9 Common Scoters west, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Guillemot west.

Visible Migration 

3 Redwings south-east, 3 Alba Wagtails south, 19 Meadow Pipits south, 1 Rock Pipit west, 24 Chaffinch south/south-east and 9 Reed Buntings south/south-east.

Grounded Migrants

9 Goldcrests, 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Song Thrushes, 6 Redwings and 2 Bramblings.

Others

1800 Pink-footed Geese, 380 Wigeons, 1 Gadwall, 215 Teal, 2 Little Egrets, 550 Lapwings, 68 Golden Plovers, 74 Ringed Plovers, 130 Turnstones, 220 Sanderlings, 100 Dunlins, 8 Snipe, 2 Stonechats and 1 Rock Pipits.

 

 Sanderling

 

 Little Grebe

Gadwall

Sunday, 15th October 2017

Offshore

5 Shelducks east, 1 Scaup west, 4 Common Scoters west & 3 east and 2 Red-breasted Mergansers.

Visible Migration

2158 Pink-footed Geese south, 1 Buzzard south, 1 Wood Pigeon south, 3 Magpies south, 2 Jays south, 54 Jackdaws south, 6 Rooks south, 59 Carrion Crows south, 61 Skylarks south, 8 Swallows south, 42 Starlings south, 2 Song Thrushes south-east, 7 Mistle Thrushes south, 33 Alba Wagtails south, 92 Meadow Pipits south, 3 Rock Pipits west, 1 Brambling south, 57 Chaffinch south, 64 Greenfinch south, 33 Linnets south, 31 Goldfinch south, 4 Siskins south and 11 Reed Buntings south.

 

 Pink-footed Geese

Grounded Migrants

10 Goldcrests, 1 Coal Tit, 4 Chiffchaffs, 12 Blackbirds, 7 Song Thrushes, 20 Redwings, 1 Robin and 2 Wheatears.

Others

3500 Pink-footed Geese, 330 Wigeons, 200 Teal, 4 Shovelers, 4 Little Egrets, 480 Lapwings, 55 Ringed Plovers, 34 Black-tailed Godwits, 120 Turnstones, 80 Sanderlings, 1 Jack Snipe, 12 Snipe, 1 Med. Gull, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Stonechats and 1 Rock Pipit.

 

 Wren

Ringing

2 Goldcrests, 3 Blue Tits, 1 Coal Tit, 1 Starling, 2 Blackbirds, 5 Redwings, 1 Robin, 1 Chaffinch and 1 Goldfinch.

 

 Redwing

Saturday, 14th October 2017

Offshore:

3 Wigeons west, 1 Teal west, 56 Common Scoters west, 1 Red-breasted Merganser west, 1 Red-throated Diver west and 2 Auk sp. west.

Visible Migration

1 Song Thrush south-east, 4 Alba Wagtails south, 14 Meadow Pipits south, 24 Chaffinch south, 9 Greenfinch south, 13 Linnets south and 4 Goldfinch south.

Grounded Migrants

6 Goldcrests, 1 Chiffchaff, 5 Song Thrushes, 23 Redwings and 1 Wheatear.

 

 Chiffchaff

Others 

1500 Pink-footed Geese, 360 Wigeons, 250 Teal, 5 Shovelers, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Water Rails, 475 Lapwings, 54 Ringed Plovers, 11 Black-tailed Godwits, 22 Knots, 205 Turnstones, 83 Sanderlings, 52 Dunlins, 8 Snipe, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Cettis Warblers, 2 Stonechats and 2 Rock Pipits.

 

 Knot

Ringing 

7 Pied Wagtails.

 

Pied Wagtail