31st October 2016 – sunny spells SE2
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 25 Blackbird, 9 Song Thrush, 4 Redwing and 2 Mistle Thrush. Also seen were 3 Wheatear and single Goldcrest and Blackcap.
Diurnal Migration
The skies were busier than of late with 580 Pink-footed Geese, 230 Skylark, 100 Meadow Pipit, 15 Twite, 6 Whooper Swan, 5 Tree Sparrow, 2 Lesser Redpoll and single Rock Pipit, Grey Wagtail and Great Spotted Woodpecker logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Sightings included 17 Pintail, 7 dark-bellied Bent Goose and 2 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
At least 2 Merlin remain.
Ringing
An excellent ringing total, 936 birds of 28 species handled, was due to the weather conditions and the regular early morning availability of ringers for the first time this year. Individual species totals were as follows (retraps/controls in brackets): Meadow Pipit 239 (1), Goldfinch 144 (55), Goldcrest 115 (4), Chaffinch 66 (2), Tree Sparrow 62 (1), Blackbird 40 (4), Wren 32 (2), Robin 26 (6), Greenfinch 26 (4), Song Thrush 17, Dunnock 16 (3), House Sparrow 12, Chiffchaff 10, Lesser Redpoll 8, Redwing 7, Blue Tit 7 (6), Great Tit 4 (1), Sparrowhawk 2, Isabelline Shrike 1, Treecreeper 1, Merlin 1, Skylark 1, Stonechat 1, Willow Warbler 1, Yellow-browed Warbler 1, Brambling 1, Reed Bunting 1 (3), Kestrel (2).
