Two skeins of Pink-footed Geese totalling 96 birds flew south during the morning.   Little of note was on the dunes while only 5 Grey Partridges were of interest on the fields.   On the flashes were 5 Mute Swans, 3 Whooper Swans, 2 Mallard, 2 Little Grebes, 4 Coots, one Little Egret and 5 Redshanks.   On the shore were 36 Curlews, 160 Sanderlings, 500 Lapwings, 60 Brent Geese, 10 Cormorants, 50 Twite and a Merlin which passed to the south.

         Birds seen in the Stonebridge area during the gales included 430 Brent Geese, 13 Shelducks, 5 Turnstones, 230 Lapwings, 100 Golden Plovers, 69 Twite, a Common Buzzard, a Sparrowhawk and a
Merlin.
         A late report from the seal wardens concerns a Waxwing at Stonebridge on 27th.

                                                                     Yellowhammer

                                                                               Stonechat

         A walk from Stonebridge to Pye's Hall and then around the realignment area produced the following birds.   Waders were 220 Oystercatchers, 100 Dunlin, 47 Curlews, 210 Redshanks, 27 Golden Plovers and 1,200 Lapwings.   Wildfowl were 1,100 Brent Geese, 3 Pink-footed Geese, 427 Shelducks, 103 Mallard and 70 Teal.   Also of note were 5 Little Grebes, 4 Little Egrets, 33 Rock Pipits, 120+ Twite, 2 Stonechats and a Short-eared Owl.

         There was little of note at the south end this morning.   The best birds on the landward side were 3 Whooper Swans on the flashes and a Common Buzzard over the fields.   There was no sea passage during an hour spent on the tide-line, but birds onshore included 10 Cormorants, 250 Brent Geese, 650 Golden Plovers, one Grey Plover, 45 Sanderlings, 160 Dunlin, 18 Lapwings, 12 Redshanks, 31 Curlews and 61 Bar-tailed Godwits.

         Yesterday (25th), at Stonebridge in the continuous rain, there were 65 Twite, 350 Brent Geese, 20 Shelducks and 135 Lapwings.

         Some late notes from yesterday (23rd) from the Stonebridge area.   The best birds were 118 Lapwings, 350 Golden Plovers, 7 Turnstones, 75 Dunlin, 140 Brent Geese, one Merlin, 400 Starlings, one Snow Bunting and 107 Twite.

         Waders between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall this morning were 500 Golden Plovers, 430 Lapwings, 120 Redshanks, 880 Oystercatchers, 59 Curlews, 3 Turnstones, 500 Dunlin, 420 Knot and 50 Grey Plovers.   Wildfowl were 210 Brent Geese, 100 Shelducks, 52 Mallard, 5 Wigeon and 84 Teal.    Other birds of note were 9 Little Egrets, one Grey Heron, 3 Cormorants, 3 Little Grebes, one Common Buzzard, 7 Grey Partridges, 10 Rock Pipits, one Stonechat, 25 Twite, 13 Blackbirds and one Redwing.

 

                                                                     Short-eared Owl

                                                                               Redwing


         A walk from Stonebridge to Pye's Hall and then around the realignment area.   Waders were 520 Oystercatchers, 240 Redshanks, 510 Dunlin, 500 Knot, 33 Curlews, 460 Golden Plovers, 370 Lapwings, 11 Turnstones and one Common Snipe.   180 Pink-footed Geese headed south and other wildfowl were 450 Brent Geese, 5 Mute Swans, 32 Mallard, 35 Teal and 190 Shelducks.   Other waterbirds were 14 Little Egrets, 3 Little Grebes and 7 Cormorants.

         4 Kestrels and a Peregrine were present, also at least one Short-eared Owl.   60 Twite and 80 Goldfinches seen, plus a Stonechat, 5 Meadow Pipits, 12 Rock Pipits, 2 Pied Wagtails, 12 Blackbirds, one Mistle Thrush and one Redwing.

         It was exceedingly quiet in the continuing mild conditions.    Heading south were 2 Whooper Swans, 5 Pink-footed Geese and a ringtail Hen Harrier.   60 Golden Plovers and 70 Lapwings were on the fields.   Three more Whooper Swans were on the flashes with a Little Egret, 11 Mallard, 55 Teal and a Jack Snipe.  A Common Buzzard was near the Coastguard cottages where there were 2 Collared Doves, 50 Stock Doves and a Redwing.   Birds on the shore just after high tide were 18 Oystercatchers, 23 Curlews, 120 Dunlin, 3 Cormorants and 4 Rock Pipits.

                                                                           Turnstone

                                                                 Great Black-backed Gull


         A short afternoon visit to the seal colony in the Stonebridge area produced counts of  250 Shelducks, 40 Mallard, 800 Brent Geese, 11 Turnstones, 250 Lapwings, 45 Skylarks, 15 Twite, 15 Blackbirds and a Song Thrush.

         Yesterday, there was a male Hen Harrier at Quad 3.

         An unremarkable WeBS count between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall.   Waders were 15 Lapwings, 100 Redshanks, one Turnstone, 280 Oystercatchers, 50 Curlews, 10 Grey Plovers, 420 Dunlin and 50 Knot.   Wildfowl were 1,060 Brent Geese, 292 Shelducks, 2 Eiders, 124 Mallard and 167 Teal.   Also of note were 3 Little Egrets, 2 Little Grebes, 3 Cormorants, 14 Rock Pipits, 2 Pied Wagtails, one Fieldfare, 20 Twite, one Kestrel and one Sparrowhawk.

         Birds on the fields at the south end included 37 Mallard, 15 Teal, 220 Lapwings, 117 Golden Plovers, 98 Curlews, one Mistle Thrush and one Short-eared Owl.   Along the flashes were 10 more Mallard, 5 Teal, 3 Whooper Swans, 2 Little Egrets and 2 Little Grebes.   A freshly-dead mink was found near the Beacon Flash bridge.   The dunes were fairly quiet with 12 Blackbirds, 3 Robins and a Sparrowhawk.

         13 Pink-footed Geese flew south over the sea and onshore were 180 Brent Geese, 190 Knot, 37 Redshanks, 29 Grey Plovers, 450 Dunlin, 5 Sanderlings, 8 Cormorants, 46 Goldfinches and good counts of 130 Twite and 380 Skylarks.

        

         Heavy drizzle, poor light and moderate to poor visibility were hardly conducive to worthwhile observations.   134 Shelducks and 50 Redshanks were on the shore at Stonebridge.   Waders on the realignment area were 167 Lapwings, 630 Golden Plovers, 40 Redshanks, 5 Curlews and 25 Dunlin.   Wildfowl were 220 Brent Geese, 4 Pink-footed Geese over to the south and a skein only heard, 21 Shelducks, 4 Mallard and 87 Teal.   Also of note were 3 Little Grebes, 12 Little Egrets, 60 Twite, 40 Goldfinches, 6 Rock Pipits, one Water Pipit, one Merlin and one Short-eared Owl.

         Yesterday (9th), there were 28 Common Scoters and 2 Velvet Scoters on the sea opposite Stonebridge.   On the shore here were 380 Brent Geese, 600 Golden Plovers, one Turnstone and 20 Twite.

         Birds on the shore between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall included 1,000 Brent Geese, 130 Shelducks, 140 Mallard, 90 Redshanks, 30 Curlews, 700 Dunlin, 1,500 Oystercatchers, 200 Knot and 22 Twite. 

         Waders on the realignment area were 350 Lapwings, 170 Golden Plovers, one Grey Plover, one Turnstone, 100 Redshanks, 99 Dunlin and 2 Common Snipe.    Wildfowl were 2 Mute Swans, 10 Shelducks, 6 Mallard and 26 Teal, plus 17 Pink-footed Geese which passed over to the south.   Other birds of note were 13 Little Egrets, 6 Little Grebes, 5 Cormorants, one Sparrowhawk, one Merlin, 3 Kestrels, one Common Buzzard, one male Hen Harrier, 2 Redwings, 6 Blackbirds, one Pied Wagtail and 7 Rock Pipits.   A sighting of 2 Red-legged Partridges was the first since 10th July.

         A very quiet day at the south end.   3 Whooper Swans, 55 Teal and 3 Little Egrets on the flashes while on the dunes there were 20 Blackbirds, one Corn Bunting, 4 Lesser Redpolls and a Peregrine.   Birds on the shore were 200 Brent Geese, 72 Curlews, 300 Lapwings, 30 Golden Plovers, 130 Knot, 40 Sanderling, 250 Dunlin and 17 Bar-tailed Godwits.

         On the fields were 68 Lapwings, 86 Curlews, 2 Mistle Thrushes and a Fieldfare.   The main birds of note on the dunes were 50 Blackbirds, 7 Song Thrushes, 12 Robins, one Woodcock, one Water Rail, one Kingfisher, 4 Kestrels, one Merlin and one Common Buzzard.   80 Sanderlings were on the shore and a Greylag Goose flew south.

         On the shore between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall were 1,300 Brent Geese, 2 pale-bellied Brent Geese, 130 Shelducks, 80 Mallard, 540 Dunlin, 40 Sanderlings, 160 Redshanks, 5 Knot, 12 Turnstones and 30 Curlews.

         On the realignment area were 170 Teal, one Wigeon, 3 Goldeneye, 2 Mute Swans, 320 Lapwings, 420 Golden Plovers, 30 Redshanks, 30 Dunlin, one Ringed Plover, 4 Little Grebes, one Grey Heron, 7 Little Egrets, one Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrels and 2 Merlins.

         Passerines of note were 30 Blackbirds, one Redwing, 50 Linnets, 120 Goldfinches, 80 Twite, 90  Skylarks, 800 Starlings, one Lapland Bunting, 12 Reed Buntings, 2 Corn Buntings, 2 Pied Wagtails, 12 Meadow Pipits, 11 Rock Pipits and one Water Pipit.

         A male Hen Harrier flew south along the sea-bank and other raptors at the south end were 2 Merlins, one Peregrine, 3 Kestrels and one Sparrowhawk.   Birds on the fields included 450 Golden Plovers, 130 Lapwings, 40 Curlews, 11 Brent Geese, 5 Mute Swans and 3 Whooper Swans.   On the flashes were 6 Little Grebes, 3 Little Egrets, one Grey Heron, 16 Teal, 2 Mallard and 10 Redshanks.   Blackbirds had increased to 120 on the dunes where other birds of note were 5 Song Thrushes, 3 Redwings, one Fieldfare, 10 Robins, 25 Chaffinches, one Corn Bunting, 24 Long-tailed Tits and 2 Woodcocks.

                 Great Grey Shrike.    The closest I could manage for a record shot just after dawn.


         A Great Grey Shrike was a welcome find at the scrapyards at the end of Ark Road.   It was present around 0800, but could not be located after 0825.    Birds on the fields included 50 Lapwings, 800 Golden Plovers, 7 Mute Swans, one Little Egret and one Common Buzzard.   On the dykes and flashes were 17 Redshanks, one Common Snipe, 8 Mallard, 23 Teal, 3 Whooper Swans and 2 Little Grebes.   A brief look at the dunes produced 30 Blackbirds, one Redwing and one Woodcock.

         Sea passage was all to the north between 0850 and 1000, hence 47 Shelducks, 11 Mallard, 34 Teal, 24 Wigeon, 12 Common Scoters, 3 Goldeneye, 4 Goosanders, 4 Brent Geese, 4 Cormorants, one Shag, 2 Kittiwakes, one Little Auk and 2 Guillemots.    150 Starlings and 8 Skylarks came in from the sea.    Waders onshore were 430 Dunlin, 30 Sanderling, 10 Oystercatchers, 50 Bar-tailed Godwits and 2 Grey Plovers, while gulls included 150 Great Black-backs, 300 Herrings and 800 Common Gulls.

         The WeBS count between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall produced the following results.   Waders were 310 Redshanks, 120 Knot, 1,950 Dunlin, 26 Sanderlings, 157 Lapwings, 640 Golden Plovers, 92 Grey Plovers, 1,120 Oystercatchers and 51 Curlews.   Wildfowl were 1,300 Brent Geese, one pale-bellied Brent Goose, 6 Whooper Swans, 194 Shelducks, the Ruddy Shelduck hybrid, 125 Mallard, 150 Wigeon and 90 Teal.   Also of note were 80 Skylarks, 20 Twite, 70 Linnets, 120 Goldfinches, 6 Rock Pipits, one Peregrine and 2 Common Buzzards.
         There was a Water Pipit on the realignment area.

                                                                      Short-eared Owl.


         Birds on the fields at the south end included 314 Pink-footed Geese, 75 Lapwings, 670 Golden Plovers and 32 Curlews.   Another 24 Pinkfeet and 6 Whooper Swans passed to the south.   On the flashes were 3 more Whooper Swans, 36 Mallard, 60 Teal, 20 Redshanks, 3 Little Egrets, one Grey Heron, 6 Little Grebes and 5 Moorhens.   One Red-throated Diver flew north at sea and on the shore were 420 Dunlin, 81 Oystercatchers, 25 Curlews, 100 Knot, 20 Grey Plovers, 150 Carrion Crows and 220 Brent Geese.   On the marshes were 2 Kestrels, one Sparrowhawk, one Rock Pipit, one Common Snipe and one Short-eared Owl.

 

                                                                    Pink-footed Geese  

                                                                               Kestrel

                                                                      Golden Plovers

                                                                        Whooper Swans



          On the shore between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall were 1,300 Brent Geese, 200 Redshanks, 200 Oystercatchers, 500 Dunlin, 30 Curlews and 30 Grey Plovers.   On the realignment area were 130 Shelducks, the Ruddy Shelduck hybrid, 115 Teal, a further 75 Redshanks, one Greenshank, one Common Snipe, 2,400 Golden Plovers, 135 Lapwings, 62 Dunlin, 12 Curlews, 10 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons and 11 Little Grebes.   210  Pink-footed Geese in four skeins headed south and 37 Whooper Swans arrived from the north and alighted in the NW corner.
          Raptors were 3 Common Buzzards, 5 Kestrels and a Sparrowhawk and other birds of note were the Water Pipit again, 16 Rock Pipits, 90 Skylarks, 3 Twite, 55 Linnets, 45 Goldfinches, 5 Siskins, one Stonechat and 13 Grey Partridges.
         A Chiffchaff and 2 Blackcaps were trapped and ringed at the south end.

 

             Two more photographs of the Pallid Harrier on 28th October from B. and D. Bishell.


         11th:- 180 Pink-footed Geese flew south in 2 skeins at the south end and a further 240 were on the fields with 4 Canada Geese, 620 Lapwings, 550 Golden Plovers and 9 Curlews.   The dunes were quiet in the blustery conditions with 25 Blackbirds, one Redwing, 4 Robins, 12 Long-tailed Tits, 5 Grey Partridges, a male Hen Harrier, one Sparrowhawk and one Merlin.   32 Twite and 2 Rock Pipits were on the beach.

         Stonebridge to Pye's Hall and around the realignment area was a windswept experience to say the least.   Wildfowl were 1,000 Brent Geese, 4 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 130 Shelducks, 140 Mallard, 255 Teal, one Pintail and 15 Wigeon while waders were 210 Redshanks, 37 Curlews, 470 Dunlin, 23 Sanderlings, 600 Knot, 72 Grey Plovers, 36 Golden Plovers and 93 Lapwings.

         A Peregrine was seen with Golden Plover prey on the new sea-bank and other raptors were a juvenile Hen Harrier, a Kestrel and 2 Common Buzzards.   The first Water Pipit of the autumn was with ca. 15 Rock Pipits on the SW corner of the realignment area and other birds of note were 20 Twite, 80 Goldfinches, one Fieldfare, 10 Little Egrets and 7 Little Grebes.

                      The juvenile Pallid Harrier by Stonebridge car-park on 28th October.
                                    Photograph kindly supplied by B. and D. Bishell.


         Today (8th) was extremely quiet at the south end.   39 Pink-footed Geese headed north and 84 flew south.   220 Lapwings and 52 Golden Plovers were on the fields, while on the dunes were 30 Blackbirds, 3 Redwings, 11 Robins, 2 Sparrowhawks and a Short-eared Owl.

         Birds on the fields at the south end included 650 Golden Plovers, 23 Curlews, 2 Little Egrets, 77 Pink-footed Geese and a Common Buzzard.   On the flashes were 11 Mallard, 6 Teal, 4 Redshanks and a Kingfisher, and a Hen Harrier was hunting nearby.

         83 Fieldfares came in from the sea and continued SW inland and 13 Siskins, 20 Chaffinches and 2 Common Snipe flew south over the dunes where other migrants were 40 Blackbirds, 2 Song Thrushes, 15 Redwings, 12 Robins, one Stonechat, 5 Goldcrests, 2 Bramblings, 6 Lesser Redpolls and 2 Sparrowhawks.

         15 Whooper Swans flew south, plus 4 skeins of  Pink-footed Geese, although only one skein of 30 could be seen in the densely foggy conditions which persisted all day.   Migrants on the dunes included 50 Blackbirds, 10 Redwings, 2 Fieldfares, 15 Robins, 10 Goldcrests, one Yellow-browed Warbler, 12 Siskins, 3 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Sparrowhawks and one Short-eared Owl.

         440 Pink-footed Geese in three skeins flew south.   Migrants on the dunes included 50 Blackbirds, 6 Fieldfares, 3 Bramblings, 10 Robins, one Long-eared Owl and one Sparrowhawk.   Also of note were 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Kingfishers, one Corn Bunting, 6 Little Egrets and 2 Grey Herons.   On the shore were 450 Oystercatchers, 500 Knot, 260 Dunlin, 75 Sanderlings and 61 Curlews.

         A few more migrants were apparent at the south end with 110 Blackbirds, 60 Redwings, 5 Song Thrushes, one Mistle Thrush, 20 Robins, one Black Redstart, 20 Goldcrests, 2 Chiffchaffs, one Sparrowhawk and one Woodcock.   Also on the dunes were 4 Corn Buntings, 3 Kestrels, one Peregrine, one Greenshank, one Kingfisher and 5 Little Egrets.   On the shore were 400 Oystercatchers, 600 Dunlin, 60 Sanderlings, 32 Curlews, one Common Snipe and one Rock Pipit.

         The Black Brant was seen in the Brent Goose flock which has now risen to 1,240 birds between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall.   Also on the shore were 624 Shelducks, 220 Redshanks, 470 Dunlin, 370 Knot, 10 Grey Plovers and 40 Curlews.   One Stonechat and 2 Merlins were on the dunes and on the realignment area were 3 Little Egrets, 3 Little Grebes, 150 Teal, 63 Mallard, 9 Canada Geese, 25 Twite, some Bramblings heard, 190 Lapwings, 2 Kestrels and one Common Buzzard.

         There was no trace of the Pallid Harrier and great disappointment in the assembled observers greeted the news that it had reached Gibraltar Point by late morning.   Highlights today included 800 Brent Geese, one Black Brant, one pale-bellied Brent Goose, 40 Pink-footed Geese, 200 Shelducks, 1,000 Teal, 180 Mallard, 250 Lapwings, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Common Snipe, 120 Goldfinches, 8 Bramblings, one Lapland Bunting and one Merlin.

         There was no sign of the Pallid Harrier at the realignment area in the morning before the onset of the heavy rain.   However, the bird reappeared in the drier afternoon and delighted watchers as it hunted over the realignment and took protracted rests on the fence posts and a bramble bush by the car-park at Stonebridge.   Eventually, it departed south across the fields at 1530.

         Most of the time was spent on the harrier so some of the other counts between the RAF base and Pye's Hall are incomplete.   Best were 25 Twite, 2 Bramblings, 40 Redwings, 2 Fieldfares, 2 Woodcocks, 10 Long-tailed Tits, one Chiffchaff, one Short-eared Owl, one Little Owl, one Peregrine, 400 Teal, 700 Brent Geese and 86 Shelducks.

 

                                                                      Pallas's Warbler

                                                                           Redwing

                                                            Great Spotted Woodpecker


         A good day with quite a few new migrants.   The headline species were a Pallas's Warbler which was trapped and ringed at 0925 at Quad 3, a Little Bunting which was found at Pye's Hall and a juvenile Pallid Harrier which flew north over Ark Road and towards Stonebridge at 1257.   The harrier was relocated by JS on the realignment area at 1400 and subsequently seen by several observers over the next couple of hours.

         Other migrants at the south end included 200 Redwings, 34 Fieldfares, 40 Blackbirds, one Ring Ouzel, 15 Robins, 11 Bramblings, 40 Goldcrests, 2 Chiffchaffs, one Blackcap, one Woodcock and 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers.   Also seen were 7 Long-tailed Tits, one Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Common Buzzards.   Additional birds at Pye's Hall included one Long-eared Owl, one Merlin and one Greenshank.

         Birds on the fields included 300 Golden Plovers, 95 Lapwings, 400 Wood Pigeons, one Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrels, one Peregrine and one Marsh Harrier.

         A few more migrants were in evidence on the south dunes, hence 70 Redwings, 12 Fieldfares, 25 Blackbirds, one Ring Ouzel, 15 Robins, one Black Redstart, 40 Goldcrests, one Firecrest, one Chiffchaff, 3 Bramblings and 2 Lesser Redpolls.   Also of interest were 6 Tree Sparrows, 6 Long-tailed Tits and 3 Rock Pipits.   On the flashes were 8 Little Egrets, one Grey Heron, one Cormorant and 11 Teal.   50 Sanderlings, 10 Dunlin and 60 Curlews were on the shore and up at Stonebridge, there were 900 Brent Geese and 220 Shelducks.

         A seawatch 0850-1030 saw northerly passage of 4 Gannets, one Cormorant and 2 Red-throated Divers.   To the south were 200 Herring Gulls, 40 Great Black-backs, 10 Cormorants, 2 auks, one Great Skua and 6 Whooper Swans.  On the tide-line were 34 Sanderlings, one Dunlin, 98 Curlews, 74 Oystercatchers and 4 Bar-tailed Godwits.   5 Skylarks and 2 Rock Pipits came in from the sea.   As I walked back to the dunes at 1030, a party of 12 Goosanders flew north over the mudflats and these birds must be those recorded heading north by GW at Saltfleet Haven.

         The dunes were generally quiet with 10 Blackbirds, 2 Redwings, 5 Robins, one Stonechat and one Great Spotted Woodpecker.   On the flashes there were 9 Teal, 2 Little Grebes, one Grey Wagtail and one Kingfisher.   On the fields and delf were 3 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 400 Golden Plovers and 30 Lapwings.

         Stonebridge to Pye's Hall was visited before the onset of the rain.    Waders were 80 Redshanks, 110 Dunlin, 27 Curlews, 120 Golden Plovers and 83 Lapwings while wildfowl were 960 Brent Geese, 71 Shelducks, the Ruddy Shelduck hybrid, 110 Mallard, 90 Teal and 2 Pintail.   25 Twite, 100 Skylarks, one Rock Pipit and one Lapland Bunting were on the outmarsh.   On the dunes were 9 Long-tailed Tits, 5 Goldcrests, one Ring Ouzel, one Stonechat, 5 Siskins, one Brambling, one Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrels and one Great Spotted Woodpecker.   Five Little Egrets, 5 Little Grebes and 3 Grey Partridges were also seen.

         In the afternoon, there was a Common Buzzard and a Red Kite soaring and playfully interacting over North Somercotes Warren and the fields towards the dunes.

         On the fields at the south end were 1,700 Golden Plovers, 117 Lapwings, 26 Curlews, 2 Pied Wagtails and a Common Buzzard.   Migrants on the dunes were 20 Blackbirds, 10 Redwings, 2 Song Thrushes, 15 Robins, 12 Goldcrests, one Blackcap, 15 Chaffinches, one Lapland Bunting and 2 Sparrowhawks.    195 Brent Geese were on the shore with 11 Shelducks, 6 Cormorants and a Rock Pipit.   110 Herring Gulls flew south.

         At the Pye's Hall end, GW added a Red Kite, a Short-eared Owl, 10 Goldcrests and a Brambling.

         Not many birds were seen in the strong north-westerly wind.    On the fields were 185 Golden Plovers, 65 Lapwings, 24 Curlews and a Common Buzzard.    On the dunes, migrants were down to 2 Goldcrests, one Chiffchaff, 12 Robins, one Fieldfare, 2 Redwings, 2 Song Thrushes, one Great Spotted Woodpecker and one Merlin.

         An afternoon visit was made between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall after the morning's rain.   Birds on the shore after the midday high tide were 800 Brent Geese, 87 Shelducks, 75 Redshanks, one Greenshank, 82 Lapwings, 28 Curlews, 1,400 Golden Plovers, 69 Grey Plovers, 1,200 Dunlin and 550 Oystercatchers.   Also noted were 10 Little Egrets, one Grey Heron, 15 Mallard, 2 Teal, a Common Snipe, 9 Little Grebes, one Common Buzzard, one Sparrowhawk and 2 Kestrels.

         Migrants on the dunes had decreased, hence just 10 Goldcrests, 5 Robins, one Song Thrush, one Redwing, 2 Chiffchaffs, one Blackcap, 2 Stonechats and 12 Lesser Redpolls.    A Short-eared Owl arrived in from the sea at 1440 and continued SW inland.

         Further counts of interest were 80 Goldfinches, 20 Reed Buntings and 1,900 Starlings.

         1,800 Golden Plovers, 57 Lapwings and 2,500 Starlings were on the fields at the south end.   Birds on the flashes included 4 Kingfishers, 8 Teal, 2 Wigeon and a Water Rail.   Fewer migrants were seen on the dunes, hence 20 Robins, 15 Blackbirds, 4 Song Thrushes, 6 Redwings, 20 Goldcrests, one Chiffchaff and one Stonechat.    Also noted were 3 Lesser Redpolls, 40 Greenfinches, 15 Chaffinches, 16 Long-tailed Tits, 10 Tree Sparrows and one House Sparrow.    On the shore were 25 Brent Geese, 120 Sanderlings, 40 Dunlin, 12 Oystercatchers and 26 Curlews.

         Light visible passage to the north included 360 Pink-footed Geese and 4 Swallows.   Birds on the fields at the south end were 1,400 Golden Plovers, 37 Lapwings, 1,900 Starlings, one Common Buzzard and 2 Kestrels.   There was little change along the flashes with the most notable birds being 10 Teal, 2 Little Egrets, one Kingfisher and 5 Grey Partridges.

         The main migrants on the dunes were 80 Goldcrests and 35 Robins, along with 20 Blackbirds, one Ring Ouzel, 5 Redwings, one Fieldfare, 6 Song Thrushes, one Lesser Whitethroat, one Chiffchaff, 15 Chaffinches and 2 Bramblings.

         On the shore at high tide, there were 2 Cormorants, 14 Curlews, 56 Oystercatchers, 150 Sanderlings and 130 Dunlin.

         Migrants in the dunes north of Stonebridge included 35 Goldcrests, 2 Firecrests, one Chiffchaff, 2 Bramblings, 15 Chaffinches, 14 Fieldfares, 15 Redwings, one Mistle Thrush and 15 Robins.   A probable Long-eared Owl was seen briefly before being lost in the buckthorn.

         On the WeBS count between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall, waders were 1,900 Golden Plovers, 84 Lapwings, 60 Redshanks, 800 Dunlin, 8 Sanderling, 850 Oystercatchers, 81 Curlews, 70 Knot and one Greenshank.   Wildfowl were 200 Pink-footed Geese, 776 Brent Geese, 3 Whooper Swans, 2 Mute Swans, 33 Mallard, one Teal, one Wigeon, 2 Pintail, 5 Common Scoters, 214 Shelducks and the Ruddy Shelduck hybrid.   Also of note were 14 Little Egrets, 11 Cormorants, 5 Snow Buntings, one Lapland Bunting, 40 Meadow Pipits, 3 Rock Pipits, 2 adult White Wagtails, plus 4 alba wagtails not seen on the ground, 160 Goldfinches, 1,500 Starlings and one Hen Harrier.

         Notable birds trapped and ringed at the south end were 25 Goldcrests, one Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaffs and 4 Blackcaps.

         On or over the fields at the south end this morning were 1,100 Golden Plovers, 45 Lapwings, 62 Mallard, 3 Common Buzzards, one Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrels and 70 Skylarks.     A further 110 Skylarks also passed to the north.   Highlights on the dunes were 15 Blackbirds, 12 Redwings, 2 Ring Ouzels, one Yellow-browed Warbler, one Chiffchaff, 50 Goldcrests, one Water Rail and 2 Pintail.

         At sea just after the high tide, moving south were 56 Gannets, 220 Herring Gulls, 5 Great Skuas, one Pomarine Skua, one Sooty Shearwater, 6 auks sp. and 2 Red-throated Divers.    Onshore were 7 Cormorants, 19 Curlews, 18 Oystercatchers, 57 Sanderlings, 8 Dunlin and 3 Rock Pipits.

                                                                          Chiffchaff.

                                                                                Stonechat.


         The WeBS count for the realignment area was rather disappointing.   Waders were 50 Redshanks, 500 Golden Plovers, 37 Lapwings, 12 Dunlin, 4 Curlews and a Jack Snipe, while wildfowl were 2 Mute Swans, 75 Brent Geese, 100 Pinkfeet which flew south, 69 Shelducks, the Ruddy Shelduck hybrid, 17 Mallard and 143 Teal.   Other waterbirds included 5 Cormorants, 7 Little Egrets and 10 Little Grebes.  

         Also of note were 50 Meadow Pipits, one Rock Pipit, one Lapland Bunting, 7 Fieldfares, 20 Redwings, 6 Mistle Thrushes, one Ring Ouzel, 15 Robins, 3 Stonechats, 2 Bramblings, 2 Chiffchaffs, one Yellow-browed Warbler, 60 Goldcrests, one Swallow and one Marsh Harrier.

                                                                                Brambling.


         A few more migrants had appeared on the dunes and a lighter wind certainly made counting more meaningful.   Thrushes between Quad 3 and the old coastguard cottages were 100 Redwings, 4 Fieldfares, 10 Song Thrushes, one Mistle Thrush, 20 Blackbirds and 2 Ring Ouzels.   Other migrants were 40 Goldcrests, 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Bramblings and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

         On or over the fields were 1,200 Golden Plovers, 60 Lapwings, 80 Curlews, 120 Linnets, 5,600 Starlings, one Common Buzzard and one Marsh Harrier.    15 Common Scoters flew north at sea and birds onshore included 161 Oystercatchers, 28 Dunlin, 43 Sanderlings, 5 Cormorants, one Little Gull and one Peregrine.

         The blustery conditions and occasional showers persisted so observations were hampered.   The main migrants on the dunes at the south end were 15 Robins, 5 Redwings, 4 Ring Ouzels, 4,000 Starlings, 20 Goldcrests, 2 Chiffchaffs, one Lesser Whitethroat and one Lapland Bunting.    On the fields were 500 Golden Plovers, 50 Lapwings, 82 Curlews and 2 Common Buzzards, while birds on the flashes included 3 Little Egrets, 7 Teal and a Pintail.    Eight Common Scoters flew north at sea and 36 Sanderlings, 2 Cormorants and a Rock Pipit were onshore.

                                                                             Stonechat


         Many fewer migrants were apparent in the colder and windier conditions.   The only thrushes recorded were 3 Song Thrushes, one Mistle Thrush, 2 Redwings, 7 Blackbirds, 2 Ring Ouzels and 12 Robins.    Less than 10 Goldcrests were seen this morning and only one Chiffchaff, while the remarkable run of Yellow-browed Warblers finally ended, making today the first day this month without a record of the species.   On the fields were 1,600 Golden Plovers, 120 Lapwings, 34 Curlews and 3 Common Buzzards.

         A casual look out at sea revealed northward passage of 30 Mallard, 6 Wigeon, 8 Common Scoters, one Eider, one Pintail and one Great Skua.   A Short-eared Owl arrived in from the sea at 1120.   A few small parties of incoming Starlings turned north along the dunes and totalled 1,200 during the morning in addition to a further 850 present on the fields.

         Additional birds seen mainly around the RAF base and Stonebridge areas yesterday afternoon were at least 150 Goldcrests, 7 Chiffchaffs, one Siberian Chiffchaff, a blythi type Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Ring Ouzels, one Fieldfare, 2 more Stonechats, 10 Bramblings and 2 Short-eared Owls.

         Today, at the south end, there were 7 Chiffchaffs, one Yellow-browed Warbler, 180 Goldcrests, 30 Robins, 20 Redwings, 15 Song Thrushes, 3 Ring Ouzels, 2,500 Starlings and one Brambling.   Also of note on the dunes were 80 Reed Buntings, 90 Greenfinches and 3 Lesser Redpolls.   5 Little Egrets, 12 Teal and a Pintail on the flashes and a high count of 192 Mallard on the fields with 380 Golden Plovers, 160 Lapwings, 49 Curlews and 3 Common Buzzards.

         112 Pink-footed Geese flew south and 180 Brent Geese were on the shore.   13 Cormorants and 6 Common Scoters flew north at sea.

         A Little Bunting found by GPC and ND in the dunes between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall eventually flew out into the realignment area and could not be relocated.   Other migrants seen between Pye's Hall and the RAF base included 40 Goldcrests, 2Yellow-browed Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 5 Redwings, 5 Song Thrushes, 4 Bramblings, 2 Stonechats and a Woodlark which flew SE with Skylarks over the outmarsh at 1015.

         On the shore were 250 Brent Geese with a further 300 on Grainthorpe Marsh, 25 Pink-footed Geese, 51 Shelducks, the Ruddy Shelduck hybrid, 3,000 Golden Plovers, 25 Lapwings, 40 Curlews, 250 Dunlin, 3 Common Snipe, 6 Rock Pipits and a Merlin.

         A quiet day, with very few migrants present.   A Yellow-browed Warbler was in the company of 12 Long-tailed Tits and a Chiffchaff.   Only 5 Robins noted, plus 3 Song Thrushes, one Ring Ouzel and 5 Goldcrests.   Also of note on the dunes were 7 Lesser Redpolls, 11 Tree Sparrows, one Common Snipe and 16 Teal.   150 Dunlin and 64 Curlews on the shore and 23 Lapwings, 140 Golden Plovers, 60 Mallard and 3 Common Buzzards on or over the coastal fields.

                                                                            Swallows


      On or over the fields were 83 Lapwings, 13 Curlews, 1,800 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Kestrels, 220 Linnets and 5 Grey Partridges.   Most of the thrushes had moved on, but 5 Redwings remained on the dunes along with 12 Robins, 30 Goldcrests, one Yellow-browed Warbler, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 5 Swallows, 2 Grey Wagtails, 8 Lesser Redpolls and 9 Siskins.    Also of note were 95 Pink-footed Geese, one Brent Goose, 7 Tree Sparrows, 80 Reed Buntings, 20 Yellowhammers, 70 Goldfinches, 35 Chaffinches and 25 Greenfinches.

                                                                       Lesser Redpoll


         The clearer weather resulted in a reduction in migrant numbers.   Thrushes were down to 3 Ring Ouzels, 10 Blackbirds, 15 Song Thrushes, 3 Redwings and 12 Robins, while other migrants were 10 Goldcrests, 3 Chiffchaffs and one Yellow-browed Warbler.   Also of note were 85 Lapwings, 83 Curlews, one Ruff, one Green Sandpiper, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Pintail, 3 Sparrowhawks, one Marsh Harrier, 3 Common Buzzards, 5 Tree Sparrows and 10 Lesser Redpolls.   60 Pink-footed Geese flew south over the fields and 2 Gannets passed south at sea.

                                                                            Ring Ouzel.


         At least 6 Ring Ouzels were present at the south end with 12 Blackbirds, 25 Song Thrushes, 3 Redwings and 15 Robins.   Other migrants were 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, one Chiffchaff, one Blackcap, 5 Goldcrests and one Great Spotted Woodpecker.    Also of note were 500 Golden Plovers, 25 Lapwings, 40 Curlews, one Green Sandpiper, one Common Buzzard, 180 Linnets, 60 Goldfinches, 17 Greenfinches, 25 Reed Buntings, 15 Yellowhammers, 6 Tree Sparrows and one House Sparrow.

         Migrant highlights at the south end were 12 Blackbirds, 25 Song Thrushes, 5 Redwings, one Mistle Thrush, 2 Ring Ouzels, 20 Robins, one Common Redstart, one Stonechat, 5 Goldcrests, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, 6 Siskins, one Brambling and one Great Spotted Woodpecker.   Also of note were 500 Golden Plovers, 36 Curlews, 5 Pied Wagtails, 11 Canada Geese, one Common Buzzard and one Marsh Harrier on the coastal fields, 2 Pintail, 12 Teal, 6 Little Egrets and one Water Rail on the flashes and 90 Oystercatchers, 20 Bar-tailed Godwits and 2 Rock Pipits on the shore.   Two Red-throated Divers flew north at sea and 10 Wigeon south.

         Between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall, GPC and CA recorded a Richard's Pipit, 3 Ring Ouzels, 25 Song Thrushes, 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Grey Wagtails, one Marsh Harrier and one Merlin.

         In my garden in the afternoon, I added a further 2 Yellow-browed Warblers and a Blackcap, plus ca. 6 Song Thrushes and 2 Redwings.

         The wet and windy weather resulted in much lower counts for most species.   A party of 20 Redwings headed SW inland at 0755 before the onset of the rain.   Birds on the southern dunes included one Yellow-browed Warbler heard calling, 12 Goldcrests, 4 Song Thrushes, one Stonechat and one Brambling.   Along the flashes were 14 Teal, 2 Pintail, 3 Little Grebes, one Little Egret and one Greenshank.   150 Oystercatchers and 28 Sanderlings were on the shore.   550 Golden Plovers were on the fields with 30 Lapwings, 95 Mallard, 50 Meadow Pipits, 7 Pied Wagtails, 2 Kestrels and a Common Buzzard.

         It was quite misty and a good deal colder today.   Birds on the fields included 46 Pink-footed Geese, 101 Lapwings, 40 Golden Plovers and 5 Pied Wagtails.   On the flashes were 3 Common Snipe, 3 Redshanks, 2 Geenshanks, one Little Egret, 3 Little Grebes and a Rock Pipit.   The southern dunes produced 3 Yellow-browed Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 4 Goldcrests, one Firecrest, 12 Robins, 35 Greenfinches, 150 Linnets, 120 Goldfinches, 35 Chaffinches, 11 Siskins, 5 Tree Sparrows and 50 Reed Buntings.    450 Oystercatchers, 52 Curlews and 5 Cormorants were on the shore at high tide and a Sparrowhawk and the first Lapland Bunting were on the outmarsh.

                                                                      Sparrowhawk

                                                                            Mistle Thrush

         There were fewer birds on the dunes today, but several interesting species were recorded, nonetheless.   Yellow-browed Warbler numbers remained the same with one at Pye's Hall, 3 at the RAF base, one at the south end and one in my garden.  The best birds at the south end were 12 Robins, 3 Song Thushes, one Mistle Thrush, 4 Goldcrests, one Firecrest, one Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaffs, 10 Tree Sparrows, 9 Siskins, one Rock Pipit, one Long-eared Owl, 4 Gannets, 11 Wigeon and 17 Brent Geese.

CA and JF between the coastguard cottages and Pye's Hall recorded a Richard's Pipit which departed to the north at 0855, 56 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Greenshanks and singles of Common Redstart, Reed Warbler, Stonechat, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine and Merlin.

         There was a Yellow-browed Warbler in my garden in Marsh Lane in the early morning and another sighting in a different part of the garden at 1635 was probably the same bird.

         Two more Yellow-broweds were recorded at the RAF base and I managed to find 3 more in the dunes south of the coastguard cottages.   The best bird, however, was a very vociferous Cetti's Warbler in willows 200 yards south of the cottages.   Other birds of note on the dunes were 50 Greenfinches, 10 Lesser Redpolls, 3 Tree Sparrows, 3 Mistle Thrushes, 2 Song Thrushes, 2 Redwings, one Brambling, 2 Goldcrests, one Willow Warbler, one Chiffchaff, one Garden Warbler, 2 Sparrowhawks and one Water Rail.   On the coastal fields were 3,500 Starlings, 300 Golden Plovers, 39 Lapwings, 7 Pied Wagtails, 120 Mallard and a Common Buzzard.

         On the shore after the high tide were 550 Oystercatchers, 170 Dunlin, 55 Curlews, one Greenshank, 4 Ruffs, 5 Cormorants and a Rock Pipit.   20 Teal flew north at sea and 100 Pink-footed Geese and a Common Scoter flew south.

                                                               Yellow-browed Warbler.

         Highlights between the RAF base and Pye's Hall recorded by CA and GPC were 4 Yellow-browed Warblers, one Jack Snipe, 2 Pintail, one Merlin and one Short-eared Owl.   15 Pink-footed Geese flew south.   There were at least 2 more Yellow-browed Warblers at the south end and one of these was trapped and ringed. Also noted were 7 Long-tailed Tits, 5 Goldcrests, 12 Robins, one Tree Sparrow, 4 Lesser Redpolls, 3,000 Starlings, one Greenshank, 2,500 Golden Plovers and 3 Common Buzzards.

          Late news from yesterday.   Keith Robinson at Pye's Hall also recorded a Yellow-browed Warbler plus 9 Lesser Redpolls.   The Ruddy Shelduck hybrid reappeared.

          Not a great deal around the realignment area today, best birds being 6 Greenshanks, 33 Redshanks, 6 Common Snipe, 21 Lapwings, 90 Mallard, one Shoveler, 9 Wigeon, 150 Teal, the Ruddy Shelduck hybrid, 18 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 8 Cormorants, 15 Little Grebes, 70 Meadow Pipits, 2 Rock Pipits, 8 Siskins, 6 Tree Sparrows, one Goldcrest, 6 Kestrels and one Marsh Harrier.

          On the shore after the high tide, there were 2,500 Golden Plovers, 240 Oystercatchers, 150 Dunlin, 36 Curlews, 81 Shelducks and 43 Brent Geese.

         A Yellow-browed Warbler was present with Great Tits at the south end.   Also on the dunes were 2 Goldcrests, 8 Robins, 6 Lesser Redpolls, 100 Meadow Pipits, 1,600 Starlings, 12 Tree Sparrows, one Common Buzzard and 2 Sparrowhawks.   35 Wigeon and 20 Teal flew north at sea.

         It was very quiet at the south end in this morning's blustery wind.   On the coastal fields were 850 Golden Plovers, 17 Lapwings, 70 Meadow Pipits, one Pied Wagtail and 7 Kestrels.    On the dunes were 15 Siskins, 4 Little Egrets and 6 Little Grebes.   35 Brent Geese were on the shore and an Arctic Skua was chasing Common Gulls offshore.

                                                                       Marsh Harrier

                                                                             Stonechat.


         On the shore between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall were 48 Shelducks, 650 Oystercatchers, 20 Bar-tailed Godwits, 25 Sanderlings, 20 Dunlin, 5 Grey Plovers and 200 Golden Plovers.    Heading north at sea over the high tide period were 80 Common Scoters, one Velvet Scoter, 20 Teal, one Arctic Skua and 4 Gannets.

         Waders on the realignment area were 55 Redshanks, 3 Greenshanks, one Common Sandpiper, one Ruff, 280 Dunlin, 2 Curlew Sandpipers and 2 Little Stints, while ducks were 145 Teal and 38 Mallard.   Other waterbirds were 14 Cormorants, 8 Little Grebes, 27 Little Egrets and one Grey Heron.    Also of note were 2 Marsh Harriers, 9 Kestrels, 6 Common Buzzards, 16 Lesser Redpolls, 15 Tree Sparrows, one Yellow Wagtail, one Rock Pipit, 4 Goldcrests, one Blackcap, one Chiffchaff, 2 Kingfishers, 19 Swallows and 2 Stonechats.

                                                                             Stock Dove


         At the south end there were 10 Common Buzzards soaring together over the fields where other birds included 1,200 Golden Plovers, 74 Curlews, 4 Pied Wagtails and a Wheatear.   Four Little Egrets, a Greenshank and a Green Sandpiper were on the flashes while on the dunes were 140 Meadow Pipits, 50 Goldfinches, one Lesser Redpoll, one Siskin, 8 Robins, one Song Thrush, one Chiffchaff, one Goldcrest, one Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Kestrels and one Great Spotted Woodpecker.   13 Cormorants and 15 Oystercatchers were on the shore.

         17 Swallows flew north and a solitary Pink-footed Goose went south.

         On the shore between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall were 1,400 Golden Plovers, 700 Oystercatchers, 500 Knot, 40 Curlews, 50 Grey Plovers and 35 Shelducks.    The realignment area produced 280 Dunlin, at least 3 Little Stints, 40 Redshanks, 4 Greenshanks, 100 Mallard, 140 Teal, one Tufted Duck, 10 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 5 Cormorants, 6 Little Grebes, 650 Black-headed Gulls, one Mediterranean Gull, 30 Meadow Pipits, 10 Swallows and 2 Kestrels.

         The first Rock Pipit made an early appearance at the south end this morning.   Birds on the fields were 1,200 Golden Plovers, 58 Lapwings, 100 Curlews and 3 Pied Wagtails.   The flashes were quiet, but waders on the outmarsh were 37 Redshanks, 8 Ruffs, one Green Sandpiper and one Common Snipe.   On the shore at high tide were 106 Oystercatchers, 10 Grey Plovers, 13 Cormorants and 2 Pink-footed Geese.   Additional birds seen on the dunes included 2 Common Whitethroats, 2 Goldcrests, 5 Siskins, 2 Lesser Redpolls, one Great Spotted Woodpecker, one Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrels and one Merlin.

         Chris Atkin covered the north end between the RAF base and the north end of the realignment area.   His highlights were the first Pink-footed Geese (8 and 2), 10 Common Buzzards, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Little Stints, 8 Greenshanks, 2 x 1st cy Mediterranean Gulls, one Common Redstart, one Wheatear, one Yellow Wagtail, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, one Chiffchaff, 9 Goldcrests and one Siskin.

                                                                           Turtle Dove.


         Raptors at the south end were 4 Common Buzzards, a Marsh Harrier, 3 Kestrels and a Sparrowhawk.   On the flashes were 36 Redshanks, one Greenshank, one Green Sandpiper, 2 Ruffs, 2 Teal, 2 Little Grebes and 3 Little Egrets.   Waders on the shore at high tide were 230 Oystercatchers, 101 Curlews, 20 Sanderlings, 12 Dunlin and 3 Grey Plovers.   Birds of note on the dunes were 100 Meadow Pipits, 3 Pied Wagtails, 8 Siskins, 4 Tree Sparrows, 6 Robins, one Song Thrush, 2 Chiffchaffs and one each of Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, Goldcrest and Turtle Dove.

                                                   One of 24 Meadow Pipits ringed.

                                                                           Siskins.


         Birds of prey were less spectacular at the south end today.    Four non-moving Common Buzzards were present and a party of 7 birds were spiralling ever higher over the fields and gradually drifted inland.   A female Sparrowhawk took one of only two Common Snipe seen on the flashes.   Other birds on the flashes included 28 Redshanks, a Green Sandpiper and 2 Little Egrets.   Waders on the shore were 420 Oystercatchers and 52 Curlews while moving south at sea were 5 Gannets and 9 Common Scoters.
     
         Migrants in the bushes were 6 Goldcrests, 7 Robins, one Common Whitethroat, one Chiffchaff, one Tree Pipit, one Song Thrush, one Lesser Redpoll and 10 Siskins.   450 Golden Plovers and 16 Pied Wagtails were on the fields.   A Pied Flycatcher was in my garden in the late afternoon.

         John Clarkson was between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall in the afternoon and added a Marsh Harrier, 2 Chiffchaffs and one each of Willow Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat and Common Redstart.

    

                                                                    Rough-legged Buzzard.

         Waders on the shore at Stonebridge were 160 Oystercatchers, 64 Curlews, 250 Knot and 100 Dunlin, plus 57 Shelducks.   Waders on the realignment area were disappointing with 50 Redshanks, 4 Greenshanks, one Spotted Redshank, one Lapwing and 700 Golden Plovers.   Other waterbirds were 22 Teal, 10 Mallard, 10 Little Grebes, 7 Cormorants, one Grey Heron and the area's second highest ever count of 57 Little Egrets.

         Raptors were the main feature of the morning, and although 7 Kestrels, 2 Peregrines and a Sparrowhawk were noteworthy, it was the large raptors which were exceptional.   Six Marsh Harriers (one with green wing-tags) were seen and 3 of these eventually departed to the south.   Of at least 10 Common Buzzards recorded, 6 passed inland towards the Wolds.   Between 1240 and 1250 a fine Honey Buzzard was watched hunting the large area of ragworts by Pye's Hall and at 1255 an early Rough-legged Buzzard came in over the dunes and circled ever higher as it continued inland.

         100 Swallows and a party of 4 Common Swifts flew south.   Other birds of note were 4 Pied Wagtails, 33 Meadow Pipits, 240 Linnets, 80 Goldfinches, 9 Lesser Redpolls and singles of Common Redstart, Lesser Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff.

         Three Marsh Harriers were coasting southwards at 0900 and 4 Common Buzzards were soaring over the fields.   300 Golden Plovers were on the fields with 5 Pied Wagtails and a Wheatear.   Birds on the flashes included 6 Little Egrets, one Grey Heron, 7 Mute Swans, 4 Teal, 30 Redshanks, one Greenshank, one Common Sandpiper, one Green Sandpiper, one Common Snipe and 7 Little Grebes.

         Five Wigeon flew north at sea just after the high tide and 37 Gannets and 5 Sandwich Terns headed south.   On the shore were 27 Cormorants, 310 Oystercatchers, 115 Curlews, 30 Dunlin and a Ruff.

         Before the onset of the rain, MS had a ringing session at the south end where he trapped over 30 birds including 2 Common Redstarts, 3 Common Whitethroats and a Reed Warbler.

         The WeBS count between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall was undertaken in steady rain.   Waders on the shore were 115 Redshanks, one Greenshank, 63 Curlews, 1,400 Dunlin, 520 Oystercatchers, 260 Golden Plovers, 30 Grey Plovers, 2 Ringed Plovers and 30 Knot.   Ducks were 15 Wigeon, 5 Mallard, 10 Teal and 46 Shelducks.   Also seen were 10 Little Egrets, 15 Cormorants, one Kingfisher, one Sandwich Tern, one Merlin, one Osprey, 90 Linnets, 60 Goldfinches, 30 Meadow Pipits, one Common Redstart and one Whinchat.   72 Swallows passed south.

                                                                       Painted Lady.

         Grounded migrants at the south end this morning were 5 Pied Flycatchers, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 2 Wheatears, 5 Whinchats, 4 Common Redstarts, 6 Willow Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, one Garden Warbler, 2 Common Whitethroats, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, one Blackcap, one Robin, one Song Thrush, 2 Siskins and a Yellow Wagtail.

         Eight Common Buzzards were soaring together over the coastal fields and 2 more came in off the sea at 1130.   110 Swallows and 30 House Martins were feeding around the coastguard cottages before eventually departing to the south.

         Birds on the flashes included a Garganey, 19 Teal, 9 Mallard, 4 Little Grebes, 4 Coots, 2 Little Egrets, one Grey Heron, 2 Water Rails, one Greenshank and one Green Sandpiper.   37 Redshanks were on the shore with 38 Curlews and 3 Cormorants, but only 3 Sandwich Terns were seen fishing at sea.

      60 Stock Doves made a good count and a solitary House Sparrow was a scarce sighting.

         Chris Atkin recorded the following highlights between the RAF base and Pye's Hall.   2 Marsh Harriers, (one with green wing-tags), 2 Pied Flycatchers, one Spotted Flycatcher, 8 Common Redstarts, 3 Wheatears, one Garden Warbler, one abietinus type Chiffchaff, 3 Lesser Whitethroats and a Yellow Wagtail.   At 1000, an Osprey came in off the sea and continued to head inland.   It was considered to be a different individual from the bird that has been present recently.

         Waders on the realignment area were 55 Redshanks, one Greenshank, one Common Sandpiper, 130 Dunlin, one Curlew Sandpiper, one Little Stint, 3 Ruffs, one Whimbrel and one Common Snipe.   Other waterbirds were 37 Mallard, 57 Teal, 4 Shelducks, 11 Little Egrets, one Grey Heron, 2 Cormorants and 6 Little Grebes.    Also of note were 4 Common Buzzards, 6 Kestrels, one Yellow Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtails, one Common Redstart, 4 Long-tailed Tits and 45 Swallows.   100 Linnets and 25 Goldfinches were on the ragworts and a further 300 Linnets together with 42 Stock Doves were at the NW corner of the area.

         After closer inspection of last week's Ruddy Shelduck record, I have determined that this bird was a hybrid.   Initial head-on views at distance showed only the buff on the head, but later closer sightings revealed grey on the crown and nape that suggested that Cape Shelduck had contributed to its ancestral line.    At least this would confirm the bird's captive origins.   Whilst researching the hybridization of Shelducks, it was interesting to learn that some authorities still consider Ruddy and Cape Shelducks as conspecific.

                                                                          Little Egret

                                                                               Redshank.


         Despite the easterly wind, the clear skies ensured little in the way of grounded migrants.   All I could find at the south end were 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Common Whitethroats and singles of Common Redstart, Robin and Goldcrest.   1,200 Golden Plovers and 7 Pied Wagtails were on the fields while birds on the flashes included 29 Teal, 14 Redshanks, one Greenshank, one Green Sandpiper and 4 Dunlin.   A Peregrine passed over the dunes and 24 Swallows flew south.

         Between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall, Graham Catley added a Pied Flycatcher and Marsh Harrier and John Clarkson saw a Hobby.

                                                                         Pied Flycatcher.


         A Pied Flycatcher, 3 Common Whitethroats and 2 Common Redstarts were on the dunes between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall.   Waders on the realignment area included 1,100 Golden Plovers, 680 Dunlin, 4 Little Stints, 80 Redshanks, 6 Greenshanks, 3 Common Sandpipers, 2 Whimbrels and a Little Ringed Plover.   Ducks were 3 Shelducks, 35 Mallard, 45 Teal and a Tufted Duck.   Other waterbirds were 3 Cormorants, 11 Little Grebes, 3 Grey Herons, 17 Little Egrets and a Kingfisher.   Also of note were 130 Swallows, 9 House Martins, 6 Kestrels and a Common Buzzard.

         It was rather quiet in the cold and cloudy conditions.   Only one Swallow was seen today and the only passerines of note were 6 Robins, one Goldcrest, 3 Lesser Redpolls, 2 Common Whitethroats and a Pied Flycatcher.   On the flashes were 14 Teal, 18 Redshanks, one Greenshank, one Green Sandpiper, 6 Dunlin, 3 Little Egrets and a Marsh Harrier.    900 Golden Plovers, 8 Curlews and 4 Grey Partridges were on the fields.