October 16th

We spent the morning ringing on the Marsh south of the railway where there was a good variety of birds to be seen and ringed. We saw 15 Redwings, 27 Bramblings, 7 Tree Sparrows, 2 Stonechats, 21 Golden Plover, 6 Yellowhammers, 60 Siskins W, 16 Corn Buntings, 16 Goldfinches, 45 Chaffinches, 22 Skylarks W, 15 Magpies S, 4 Grey Wagtails W, 10 Snipe, 20 Song Thrushes, 18 Blackbirds, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Mallard, 2 Sparrowhawks, 15 Linnets, 97 Starlings W, 60 Reed Buntings, 8 Jays, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Merlin and 1 ring-tailed Hen Harrier.

Birds ringed 80: Chiffchaff 2, Wren 1, Chaffinch 5, Goldfinch 7, Brambling 3, Reed Buntings 40, Robin 2, Great Tit 1, Blue Tit 3, Stonechat 1, Dunnock 2, Corn Bunting 1, Redwing 1, Song Thrush 5, Blackbird 6.

Male Brambling

Adult male Stonechat

Derek Smith was out all morning and walked from Shuart and along the railway embankment to Coldharbour and on to the Green Wall and Chamber's Wall before returning to Shuart. He counted 2 Grey Herons, 1 Little Egret, 1 Teal, 4 Common Buzzards, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Merlin, 6 Kestrels, 3 Golden Plover E, 45 Lapwings, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 8 Jays flying S, 39 Magpies W, 97 Redwings W, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 900 Starlings W, 22 alba Wagtails W, 3 Bearded Tits at the Oyster Farm, 8 Stonechats, 1 Wheatear, 11 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Dartford Warbler beside the Wantsum (188th), 12 Chiffchaffs, 4 Goldcrests, 1 Firecrest, 24 Brambling W, 566 Chaffinches W, 128 Goldfinches W, 46 Siskins W and 6 Corn Buntings.

Dartford Warbler - Derek Smith

3 Whooper Swans (189th) were photographed flying past the Towers by Michael Linklater and were later seen at Swalecliffe and Capel Fleet.