Rufford - 12th October 2025

Last Sunday, I was down at Rufford for a couple of hours, and had the best session of the autumn so far with 18 ringed birds (16 of "ours", a metal-ringed bird and a brand new Dutch-ringed bird) spotted.

The 16 birds were: 2V10 (2nd sighting this autumn), 2V16 (2nd sighting this autumn), 258A (4th sighting this autumn), 273A (2nd sighting this autumn), 283B (2nd sighting this autumn), 207C (6th sighting this autumn), 245C (3rd sighting this autumn), 258C (7th sighting this autumn), 209F (1st sighting, since ringing, as a 1st winter bird, in October 2024), 214F (1st sighting this autumn), 215F (2nd sighting this autumn), 217F (2nd sighting this autumn), 221F (2nd sighting this autumn), 234F (4th sighting this autumn), 239F (2nd sighting this autumn) and 262F (1st sighting on the autumn. Last seen in December 2024). The metal ringed bird was EM21570 (2nd sighting this autumn). 

209F

214F

262F

The new, Dutch-ringed bird, was an adult, with a white darvic EV.V2. I haven't got the ringing details back yet, but I would guess it will have been ringed at the same place as EUM3, another gull seen at Rufford for several years (see label for details).

EVV2

Red-backed Shrike

This weekend, Jayne and I were don on Norfolk. We spent yesterday in Norwich, and then went up to the north coast for a spot of birding today.

Our first stop was Marston Quay/Marshes, where we had a quick walk along the coastal path to see a 1st year Red-backed Shrike (198) that had been present for a week or so. We were very lucky, and the bird showed well, along the hedgerow, as soon as we arrived (others had been there looking for it for up to an hour and a half!!). Despite being very windy, I managed to get a few decentish photos.

Red-backed Shrike

Our next stop was RSPB Titchwell. It was quite quiet, but se did get a "Year Tick", Bar-tailed Godwit (199).

Bar-tailed Godwit

Other birds seen were: Sanderling, Avocet, Redshank, Ruff, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Knot, Lapwing, Golden Plover, Linnet, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Mute Swan, Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall, Marsh Harrier. Kestrel, Red Kite, Buzzard, Herring and Black-headed Gull.

Sanderling

It was quite sunny, and warm at times (17 degrees), and we also spotted 3 species of butterfly: Large White (1), Wall Brown (1 female) and Red Admiral (2).

Black-headed Gull 269A

 Back in December 2020 I ringed 4 Black-headed Gulls at The Carrs, Warsop, including an adult male, ringed with the darvic ring 269A.

269A (December 2020)

Unfortunately this bird hasn't (yet) been reported back in the UK. It was, however, reported today, in Denmark!! This is the 2nd record of this bird, both at the same site, by the same person. Hopefully, it'll be back in Warsop this winter.