Moderate north-easterly winds throughout, with sunny intervals and temperatures reached 13 degrees C; ideal conditions to prompt the arrival of passerines from the east! A Whooper Swan and three Pink-footed Geese lingered near North Marsh, a nearby flash attracted 70 Teal, 11 Wigeon and a Ruff, whilst two Velvet Scoter flew south offshore. A first-winter Caspian Gull rested on new plough south of the lighthouse.
The day’s highlights were the discovery of an Olive-backed Pipit in the Lighthouse Grassland and two Little Buntings, including one in brambles immediately adjacent to the pipit. Other migrants included two Woodcock, one Short-eared Owl, a Merlin, a Swallow, 15 Chiffchaff, six Yellow-browed Warblers, a newly arrived Barred Warbler (Old Fall Hedge), 16 Blackcap, 112 Goldcrests, 1140 Redwing, 145 Fieldfare, 295 Blackbirds, 64 Song Thrush, two Ring Ouzels, one Spotted Flycatcher, two Redstart, a Grey Wagtail, 41 Brambling, a Crossbill and three Lapland Buntings.
Ringing took place at four sites with a combined total of 216 birds being rung, including 51 Redwing, 58 Blackbirds, six Song Thrush, four Fieldfare, three Chiffchaff, a Yellow-browed Warbler, ten Blackcap, 46 Goldcrest and a Brambling.
