Mid December 2015

December 20th. Birds around included a Mediterranean Gull, a Short-eared Owl, a Woodcock, a Merlin, a Buzzard, 2 Goldcrest, a Stonechat, 16 Corn Bunting, 80 Fieldfare and 2 Redwing. On Tennyson's Sands was a Pale-bellied Brent Goose. Flying south were 100 Siskin.

Merlin, 20th December 2015.
Photo - James Siddle

December 19th. Around were a Waxwing, a Woodcock, 600 Lapwing, a Bullfinch, 3 Goldcrest, 8 Siskin, 25 Corn Bunting and 2 Redwing. Heading south were 14 Siskin.

December 18th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 2 Redwing, 2 Goldcrest and 2 Woodcock. South at sea went a late Sandwich Tern.

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 4 new birds: a Wren, a Robin, a Blackbird and a Woodcock; and 5 retraps: a Wren, 3 Blue Tit and a Goldcrest.

Woodcock, ringed 18th December 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

December 17th. Around were 4000 Golden Plover, a Woodcock, a singing Song Thrush, 4 Redwing and a singing Coal Tit. Heading south were 31 Siskin, 23 Redwing and 5 Blackbird.

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling produced 3 new birds: a Goldcrest, a Blue Tit and a Blackbird; and 2 retraps: singles of Blue Tit and Goldcrest.

December 16th.  Birds around included 40 Pink-footed Goose, a Woodcock, 50 Fieldfare and 2 Redwing. On the sea were 9 Red-throated Diver. Flying south were 14 Pintail, 20 Teal, 10 Wigeon, 8 Red-breasted Merganser, 9 Eider and 40 Siskin.

December 15th. Drizzly morning.
 On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Water Pipit. Around, including birds trapped, were 2 Woodcock, 500 Grey Plover, 8 Song Thrush (including 1 singing), 4 Redwing, 4 Goldcrest and a Bullfinch.

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue yielded 3 new birds: a Bullfinch and 2 Blackbird; and 7 retraps: 3 Great Tit, 2 Wren and 2 Blue Tit.

Bullfinch, ringed 15th December 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

December 14th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 2 Redwing, 2 Woodcock and 120 Pink-footed Goose.

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, provided 3 new birds: a Redwing, a Song Thrush and a Blackbird; and 2 retraps: a Dunnock and a Blackbird.

Redwing, ringed 14th December 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

December 13th. Around were a Short-eared Owl, 4 Woodcock, 9 Corn Bunting and a Brambling. In off the sea came 5 Goosander.

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 3 new birds: a Goldcrest and 2 Blackbird; and 8 retraps: 2 Dunnock, a Goldfinch, a Song Thrush, a Robin, a Wren, a Great Tit and a Blackbird.

December 12th. Rain from mid morning.
 Offshore was a Slavonian Grebe. On Croftmarsh was a Bean Goose. Birds around included  a Water Pipit, a Spotted Redshank, 14 Fieldfare, 3 Redwing, a Woodcock and 200 Pink-footed Goose.

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, with Jenni Godber, resulted in 2 new birds: a Goldfinch and a Blackbird; 3 retraps: 2 Blackbird and a Dunnock; and a control Dunnock.

December 11th. Around were a male Hen Harrier, 2 Woodcock, a Green Woodpecker and 2 Redwing. On Jackson's Marsh were a Goldeneye and a Pintail. Offshore were 50 Red-throated Diver. Going south were 90 Siskin and a Redpoll.

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided a new Blackcap; and 5 retraps: singles of Wren, Blackbird, Dunnock, Blue Tit and Robin.