Winter specialities settle in

30th November 2011 – overcast/showers S4/5
Rarities
The Water Pipit again showed well in the flooded fields and horse paddocks near Biggar. View only from the road and keep out of the private fields.
Offshore
A check over the sea on the falling tide produced a party of 7 Shag sheltering in the calmer waters along the eastern shore while small numbers of Kittiwake, Common Scoter and Razorbill braved the rougher conditions off the maritime coast.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Long-tailed Duck is still in residence and the Brent Goose flock held 153 pale-bellied birds, waders included 6 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A total of 130 Twite were logged and a Raven flew over.
Ringing
The last vestiges of autumn passage produced a further 216 birds of 17 species, an excellent total for November. Individual species totals involved: Greenfinch (82), Blackbird (42), Goldfinch (41), Chaffinch (16), Tree Sparrow (9), Song Thrush (7), House Sparrow (4), Dunnock (3), Goldcrest (2), Blackcap (2), Robin (1), Redwing (1), Woodcock (1), Twite (1), Sparrowhawk (1), Fieldfare (1), Brambling (1), Lesser Redpoll (1).