23rd October 2017

Highlights, 14th – 23rd October inclusive:

14th – a Crossbill, 14 Twite, 450 Tree Sparrows, 330 Siskins, 240 Goldfinches, 50 Reed Buntings, 17 Yellowhammers, 11 Rock Pipits and four House Martins among a big movement through the Gap (KC, NC), plus a Merlin over the Brigg (RAB et al.) and a Reed Warbler among over 100 birds trapped in Top Scrub on the first day of Ringing and Migration Week. 

15th – a putative coburnii (Icelandic) Redwing among many migrants caught in Top Scrub by the ringing team; 21 Pink-footed Geese in the Top Fields; vismig at the Gap included 166 Tree Sparrows, 160 Siskins, 140 Goldfinches, 21 Reed Buntings, 15 Redwings, and 11 Rock Pipits. A Yellow-browed Warbler also there. 

16th – Conditions conducive to grounded migrants produced a good selection in the northern area, with a vocal Siberian Chiffchaff in Short Hedge for much of the day (MJP et al.), at least three Yellow-browed Warblers, and the first signs of a Scandinavian exodus with 80 Blackbirds, 60 Redwings, 20 Song Thrushes and redpolls, Siskins, and Goldcrests into double figures. The best of vismig of the Gap included a Lapland Bunting, 130 Redwings and 16 Rock Pipits south (KC, NC).

17th – A quiet and very windy day, easily the best of which being a Slavonian Grebe in the bay (AM). 

18th – Arrivals all day in the northern area, including two Lapland Buntings (MJP et al.), a Twite with the Linnets on Carr Naze (MJP), two Jays in off and south (MJP , FBOG ringers), a Short-eared Owl in off late on and two Yellow-browed Warblers among commoner migrants (which included two Willow Warblers). A Great Northern Diver north and a Med Gull south passed the Brigg. A Merlin north and 72 Red-throated Diver and 11 Great Crested Grebes off the Gap (KC) and a Med Gull north there in the evening. 

19th – A huge and prolonged arrival of thrushes and other migrants as the weather worsened and showers, mist and a light tail wind prevailed, especially towards late afternoon: minima of 6,200 Redwings, 750 Blackbirds, 1250 Song Thrushes, three Ring Ouzels and two Mistle Thrushes, plus 110 Bramblings, 120 Chaffinches and three Yellow-browed Warblers. Two Med Gulls, an Arctic Tern and a Ring Ouzel south on the seawatch; 20 Twite at Gristhorpe Bay (MJP).

20th – A Pallas’s Warbler was on the south side of Carr Naze (MJP), with a Merlin (MJP), a Med Gull and 30 Bramblings also there early on. Four Ring Ouzels included two in off and one trapped, three Swallows went south, and a Richard’s Pipit was reported at the Tip (TGD); searches proved fruitless but revealed Jack Snipe and Short-eared Owl there soon after. Five Yellow-browed Warblers included two together at the Dams Car Park, Dark-bellied Brents were on the move, five Stonechats were in the northern area, a Black Redstart was on Carr Naze in the evening (MC), four Whooper Swans south and two Jack Snipe in off at the Brigg. Five Little Gulls fed off the Gap, where a Wheatear, a Swallow, 168 Siskins and 240 Redwings went south. Green Sandpiper, Black-tailed godwit and two Ruff were at the Dams. 

21st – Ten Whooper Swans went north at the Gap, where single Merlin and Marsh Harrier went south (KC et al.). A Red-necked Grebe went north past the Brigg (JS, JP). 

22nd – A quiet day, with a surprise juvenile Iceland Gull (KC), a Woodcock, a Barnacle Goose and a House Martin passing the Gap.

23rd – A Lapland Bunting and a Twite went north at the Gap (KC) where 308 siskins and 35 redpolls went south among good vismig there (see trektellen.org for full counts). A Great Northern Diver and a Bonxie passed on the sea-watch, and single Swallow and House Martin went south at Reighton Sands.

See you in two weeks!