November 8th

It was cold and overcast again this morning as we had another ringing session at Shuart. Birds we saw included 3 Chiffchaffs, 67 Redwings, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Firecrest, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Goldcrests, 2 Water Rails, 5 Bramblings, 1 Hawfinch flying high south-west and calling, 47 Fieldfares, 1 Common Buzzard, 24 Lapwings, 6 Ring-necked Parakeets, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 7 Siskins, 10 Chaffinches, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 11 Goldfinches and 1 Marsh Harrier.

Birds ringed 17: Goldcrest 3, Chiffchaff 2, Wren 1, Chaffinch 2, Robin 2, Great Tit 1, Dunnock 5, Blackbird 1.

This morning Dave Smith was from Shuart to Plumpudding and counted 4 Great Crested Grebes, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Jay, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Goldcrests, 3 Firecrests, 10 Song Thrushes, 30 Blackbirds, 15 Fieldfares, 2 Stonechats, 4 Bramblings, 15 Siskins and 2 Corn Buntings.

This afternoon I have received the ringing information of a first year male Reed Bunting we controlled at Shuart on November 5th. It had been ringed as a juvenile at Cock Marling, East Sussex on 14th August 2024 and had flown 65 km NE to reach Shuart. We have ringed over 300 Reed Buntings so far this year and hope that some of these will be controlled by other ringers.