Mid November 2015

November 20th. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Red Kite, a Black-throated Diver, 200 Pink-footed Goose, a Woodcock, a Green Woodpecker, 2 Merlin, a Buzzard, 20 Common Scoter, a Kingfisher and a Chiffchaff. On Tennyson's Sands were a Cetti's Warbler and a Spotted Redshank, and on Jackson's Marsh a Water Pipit. Heading north were 2 Raven, and south 169 Whooper Swan, 8 Snow Bunting, 2 Yellowhammer and a Sparrowhawk. In off the sea came 14 Fieldfare and 3 Woodcock.

 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 3 new birds: a Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff and a Robin; and a retrap Robin.

November 19th. On Tennyson's Sands was a Cetti's Warbler, 2 Avocet and a Spotted Redshank. Also around, including birds trapped, were a Raven, 1300 Pink-footed Goose, a Peregrine, a Merlin, a Green Woodpecker and 5 Goldcrest. A Red Kite, 165 Whooper Swan,1300 Woodpigeon, 11 Stock Dove, a Great Skua and a Red-necked Grebe flew south.

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 6 new birds: 2 Goldcrest, a Redwing and 3 Blackbird; and 7 retraps: 3 Blackbird, 2 Goldcrest, a Long-tailed Tit and a Robin.

November 18th. Increasing south-westerly wind.
 Birds around, including those trapped, were 250 Pink-footed Goose and 3 Goldcrest. Heading south were 23 Whooper Swan, 2 Great Northern Diver and 20 Auk Sp.

 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue yielded 4 new birds: a Goldcrest and 3 Blackbird; and 4 retraps: 2 Goldcrest, a Blackbird and a Robin.

November 17th. Around, including birds trapped, were 1500 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Bullfinch, a Snow Bunting, 2 Water Rail, 2 Avocet, a Spotted Redshank, a Water Pipit and a Chiffchaff. Flying south were 176 Whooper Swan, including 45 from Jackson's Marsh, 250 Chaffinch, 200 Siskin and a House Martin.

 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 4 new birds: 2 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff and a Song Thrush; and 3 retraps: 2 Wren and a Goldcrest.

Southbound Whooper Swans, 17th November 2015
Photo - Nige Lound
November 16th. Moderately strong south-westerly wind.
 Birds around included 600 Pink-footed Goose. This flock was tracked down further inland at Clough House Station, and within it were 2 Tundra Bean Goose and 4 White-fronted Goose. Going south were 200 Whooper Swan and 600 Pink-footed Goose.

 A restricted morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 4 new birds: a Blackcap, a Dunnock and 2 Blackbird; and 4 retraps; 2 Wren, a Goldcrest and a Robin.

November 15th. Strong westerly wind.
 Around were a Chiffchaff, 350 Pink-footed Goose and 150 Brent Goose. A evening roost included 2 Short-eared Owl, 2 Hen Harrier and 2 Merlin. Heading south were 70 Whooper Swan.

 David Steel, the SNH Reserve Manager for the Isle of May has contacted us to say that the juvenile Red-footed Falcon that was present here at Gibraltar Point from 24-30 September was the same bird, on photographic evidence, that was on the Isle of May from 14-19 September.

November 14th. Birds around included 750 Pink-footed Goose, 2 male Hen Harrier, a Long-eared Owl, a Short-eared Owl, 400 Brent Goose, 20000 Knot. Flying south were 2 Bean Goose, 38 Whooper Swan, 6 Brambling and 13 Siskin.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 6 new birds: 2 Goldcrest, 3 Lesser Redpoll and a Redwing; and 6 retraps: a Great Tit, a Blackbird and 4 Goldcrest.

November 13th. Strong south-westerly wind.
 On the reserve were 800 Pink-footed Goose, 2 White-fronted Goose, 1000 Brent Goose, a Peregrine, 2 Merlin, 6000 Golden Plover, 7162 Black-headed Gull, 913 Common Gull, 91 Great Black-backed Gull and an adult winter Mediterranean Gull. Tennyson's Sands produced 5 Avocet, a Spotted Redshank and a Water Rail. Flying south were 7 Bewick's Swan, 71 Whooper Swan, 8 Brambling and 79 Siskin. On The Wash at low tide were 338 Redshank, 8 Ringed Plover, 8 Turnstone, 400 Oystercatcher and 1000 Dunlin. A Chiffchaff was in the Plantation.

November 12th. Around were 800 Pink-footed Goose. On Tennyson's Sands were a Cetti's Warbler and 2 Water Rail, and on Croftmarsh 3 White-fronted Goose. Going south were 30+ Whooper Swan and 8 Stock Dove.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 5 new birds: 3 Goldcrest, a Robin and a Sparrowhawk; and 3 retraps: a Robin and 2 Goldcrest.

Sparrowhawk, ringed 12th November 2015.
Photo - George Gregory
November 11th. Birds around included 765 Pink-footed Goose, 356 Brent Goose, an adult White-fronted Goose, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Merlin, a Green Woodpecker, a Kingfisher and a Chiffchaff. On Tennyson's Sands was a juvenile White-fronted Goose and a Spotted Redshank. Heading south were 6 Whooper Swan, 3650 Woodpigeon, a Swallow, 3 Snow Bunting, 7 Twite, 350 Chaffinch, 75 Brambling and 11 Redpoll.

White-fronted Goose, 11th November 2015.
Photo - Richard Doan