Spurn Point - 25th October 2025

 On Saturday, Jayne and I went over to Spurn Point NNR to visit our nephew, who is volunteering there. Whilst there, we had an eight and a half mile walk from the Bird Observatory to The Point, and back, and managed to add 4 new species to the Year List.

The first new species was Whimbrel (200), that we saw feeding around the estuary and beach area.

Whimbrel

The next two species: Snow Bunting (201) and Black Redstart (202) were added on the walk down to The Point.

Black Redstart 

The final new species was a single Yellow-browed Warbler (203) that was feeding in willows around Sykes Field.

Other species seen were: Knot, Redshank, Dunlin, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Brent Goose, Whooper Swan, Chiffchaff,  Meadow Pipit, Stonechat, Skylark, Swallow, Buzzard and a female Bullfinch, that we tried, unsuccessfully, to turn into a "Northern" Bullfinch!

Bullfinch

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. It was originally ringed, as an adult, on 7th June 2022 at Berkel en Rodenrijs, The Netherlands, by Benny Middendorp. It was reported here again on 9th June 2022, and again on 10th March 2024, before my sighting at Rufford.

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.