Wet n' windy morning. Worth a mention are southbound 2 Gadwal & Goldeneye with northbound 8 Red-throated Diver & 5 Gannet. New Chaffinch & Woodcock around the compound & Snow Bunting on the beach. Sun came out late morning so if anyone ventures out & sees anything please let us know (3 Snow Bunting this afternoon apparently). Ringing: 1 Chaffinch.

 Jack Snipe fitted with a Motus tag in Sweden 5th November travelled through Sweden, Denmark, Germany & The Netherlands has pinged the LBO tower. Its last detection in Holland was at WUR Brouwersdam Sluice 2023 hrs 8th November moving the 173 km to LBO at 38.1 km/hr flying over at 0025 hrs on 9th November with the detection lasting over 5 minutes. More information about Motus is on www.motus.org

 "Last knockings" at this conjuncture for passerine migration. 187 Cormorant went out fishing early doors. Single Lapwing & Snipe quickly moved inland. Rock Pipit & Snow Bunting are still with us. Negligible off shore action with southbound 11 Common Gull, 7 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 2 Wigeon, Curlew & Great-crested Grebe plus 2 Common Scoter that came out of the river. Ringing: nil.

 Long-tailed Tits keep turning up. Apart from 21 Starling in off the sea, 4 Lapwing & a Fieldfare first thing, Siskin north plus a new Blacky probably no other new migrants in. Snow Bunting present & accounted for. Despite the cold a Red Admiral ventured out mid-day. Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 1 Goldfinch.

 First frost of the winter with a decidedly chilly north-westerly thrown in for good measures. Northbound 13 Common Scoter, 9 Brent with southbound 7 Teal, 2 Brent, Buzzard, Goldeneye, Siskin, Red-throated Diver & White-fronted Goose. New migrants on site were 2 Skylark, a couple of Blackies, Goldcrest & Snipe. Several Goldcrest, Firecrest, Rock Pipit & Snow Bunting remain from recent days.  Ringing: 2 Blackbird, 1 Goldcrest.

 Cold, wet & windy - more like purgatory than pleasure. 321 Cormorant headed out fishing early on. Difficult to work out if any new migrants in the bushes although a Woodcock wizzed around first thing. Southbound 94 Common Scoter, 2 Little Egret & Little Gull with northbound 22 Common Scoter & 2 Brent. 7 Ringos, 4 Turnstone & Snow Bunting on the beach. Ringing: nil.

 288 Cormorant went out fishing early on. Southbound 16 Black-headed Gull, 15 Siskin, 4 Common Gull, 3 Egyptian Geese, 2 Red-throated Diver & Brent with northbound 5 Common Scoter, 3 Brent & 2 Egyptian Geese. 2 Lapwing on the reserve soon departed south & a Snow Bunting was on the beach. Grounded migrants non-existent in the bushes although at least 5 Goldcrest & a Firecrest are loitering from recent days. Ringing: nil.

Blackbird ringed LBO 9th October 2023 was a road casualty 429 kim away at St.Germans, Cornwall on 1st November 2025. First Blacky recovery we have had to Cornwall will be a contintal bird on passage when caught here. Lesser Redpoll ringed LBO 25th October 2025 was retrapped 123 km away at Icklesham, Sussex on 6th November 2025 will be on autumn passage at both sites. Blue Tit ringed Alderton 13th October 2025 was retrapped 12 km away at LBO 22nd October 2025. Glodcrest ringed Alderton 19th October 2025 was retrapped 12km away at LBO 22nd October 2025 will be on autumn migration at both sites. Chiffchaff ringed Trimley on 9th August 2025 was retrapped LBO 11th November 2025 was a juvenile when ringed & will be on autumn passage here a couple of months after being ringed.

 High tides are making Purps more difficult to find as they come and go at the point. Small arrival of classic mid-November fare plus some leftovers from recent days including 25 Blackbird, 8 Mipit, 6 Redpoll, 5 Goldcrest, 2 Redwing, Chaffinch, Firecrest, Greenfinch & Grey Wag. 220 Cormorant headed out plus an additional 342 came in from the north to the fishing grounds. High tide early on so 18 Ringos + a Turnstone attempted to roost near the point. Ringing: 5 Blackbird, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Sparrowhawk.

 First Wheatear for three weeks. We do have a later bird in 2010 that remained to the 26th when a harsh cold snap had set in so it presumably succumbed. Hopefully this one will head south pretty pronto. Annoying mizzle early doors for a couple of hours dropped in 50 Blackies, 25 Mipit, 10 Redwing, 5 Songies, 4 Goldcrest, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Short-eared Owl, Skylark, Woodcock & Woodlark. 2 Firecrest & Pallas's Warbler continue to loiter. 40 Starling came in off & inland & 2 Purps were on the point. Offshore southbound 28 Brent, 12 Black-headed Gull, 6 Teal, 4 Wigeon, 2 Shelduck, Goldeneye & Red-throated Diver with northbound 28 Brent, 2 Gannet & Curlew.Still getting plenty of Rusty-dot Pearl's but with the weather due to get colder probably not for much longer. Ringing: 16 Blackbird, 2 Robin, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Song Thrush.

Not what one expects to find on the beach in the morning.  North easterlies have delivered a decent influx of thrushes from the continent. Large flocks of Fieldfare passing over ended in a tally of 880 whilst 165 Redwing also amongst them. A steady trickle of new Blackbirds coming through also including a Dutch ringed bird. Pallas's Warbler still present early morning at least and a Firecrest in the afternoon. A Common Tern very unusual for this time of year; our last November record was back in 1983 and that was on the 2nd! Other migrants 1 Blackcap, 2 Chaffinch, 1 Chiffchaff, 12 Goldcrest, 1 Marsh Harrier, 5 Mistle Thrush, 15 Meadow Pipit, 15 Robin, 1 Skylark, 5 Song Thrush. 1 Purple Sandpiper on the point.  Offshore 460 Brent Goose Southbound. Also 1 Common Scoter, 5 Gadwall, 4 Goldeneye, 3 Golden Plover, 5 Pochard, 2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Shelduck, 19 Teal and 20 Wigeon. Only the third Red-green Carpet this autumn. Ringing: 1 Blackcap, 12 Blackbird, 1 Chiffchaff, 10 Goldcrest, 4 Goldfinch, 1 Redwing, 4 Robin, 4 Song Thrush, 2 Wren.  

  This grassland mushroom has sprung up all over the common. Silky Pinkgill Entoloma sericeum comes from a family of very poisonous mushrooms. Greeted this morning by 11 Fieldfare and a few Redwing calling after rain right through the night. Peregrine was flying along the beach before heading out to sea - probably looking for tired, grounded migrants! Both Pallas's Warbler and Barred Warbler are still present but can't blame them for not wanting to leave in this weather. A single Rock Pipit feeding out on the point and a Firecrest on site. Today we were down to just 18 Linnet. Other migrants 1 Brambling, 2 Chaffinch, 7 Goldcrest, 34 Meadow Pipit, 1 Redpoll, 2 Song Thrush, 3 Starling. Offshore late morning 4 Little Gull went South. Also 1 Goldeneye, 3 Oystercatcher and 1 Red-throated diver.   Dark Chestnut is a Winter flyer with us. Ringing: 1 Blue Tit.

With the weather set to turn, will we get any more Clouded Yellow after today? The morning started with another Swallow south and a couple Brambling heard calling. Another cloudy start but as the sun emerged so did the Barred Warbler along the back hedge. The Pallas's Warbler still around popping up always when you least expect it! Other migrants 15 Chaffinch, 90 Goldfinch, 43 Meadow Pipit, 8 Redpoll, 3 Redwing and 10 Starling.  Offshore 77 Great Black-backed Gull and 2 Lapwing. A common species, the Large Yellow Underwings still hanging on start to look quite worn this time of year. Ringing: 1 Blackcap, 1 Blue Tit, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Robin, 1 Song Thrush.    

6 Pied Wagtail today. With the wind still in the South the birding is slowly drying up here. That said a Merlin was observed heading South late morning. No sign of the Barred Warbler but the Pallas's Warbler still remains. One very late Swallow heading South - last of the year? Migrants include 6 Goldcrest, 4 Goldfinch, 33 Meadow Pipit, 1 Siskin, 1 Skylark, 1 Sparrowhawk and 3 Song Thrush.  Offshore 280 Cormorants seen coming in from the North a long way out while the usual group of 177 went out fishing early morning. Also 4 Brent Goose, 68 Great Black-backed Gull, 3 Pintail, 2 Shelduck and 8 Wigeon.  Ringing: 1 Goldcrest, 2 Meadow Pipit, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Wren.  

  Oystercatcher usually gets a bit scarcer here after September but 2 on the beach today. Slim pickings this morning in comparison to the strong start we received this November. Our saving grace, the Barred Warbler reappeared in a brief window of sunshine along the hedge on the South side of the compound. Pallas' Warbler has been doing the rounds too as it reaches its 7th day with us. Other migrants 4 Chaffinch, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Firecrest, 6 Goldcrest, 34 Goldfinch, 22 Meadow Pipit, 5 Song Thrush and 4 Skylark. Next to no movement offshore save for 2 Tufted Duck. Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush.

Weather has deteriorated with wind & rain limiting this mornings activities. Southbound 43 Brent, 21 Teal, 11 Shelduck, 7 Gannet, 5 Wigeon, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Dunlin, Common Scoter, Goldeneye, Great Crested Grebe & Grey Plover plus 2 Little Gull offshore briefly. Difficult to know what's in the bushes but it would appear to hold very few migrants although single Firecrest, Redwing & Pallas's Warbler still with us. A Woodcock dived into bushes by the beach having, presumably, been flushed from elsewhere.December moth has started to appear from yesterday onwards as winter starts to take hold. Ringing: nil.

 Barred Warbler unexpected although we do have three previous November birds. Pale eye intriguing for what looks like a bird of the year. Selection of autumnal fare including 15 Blackbird, 13 Redpoll, 10 Mipit, 5 Redwing, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Blackcap, 2 Black Red, 2 Firecrest, 2 Snipe, Brambling, Dartford Warbler, Fieldfare, Reed Bunting, Siskin & the lingering Pallas's Warbler for it's fifth day. Southbound, 145 Starling, 130 Wood Pigeon, 32 Goldfinch, 23 Mipit, 7 Skylark, 7 Stock Dove, 6 Brent, 6 Chaffinch & Red-throated Diver. Yet another volery of Long-tailed Tits turned up - they seem to have had a bumper breeding season this year. Sunny morning so a good selection again of late autumn butterflies including 4 Clouded Yellow & Common Blue. Crocidosema plebejana turns up most years at this late conjecture although earlier records are not unknown. Ringing: 9 Long-tailed Tit, 8 Lesser Redpoll, 4 Blackbird, 3 Meadow Pipit, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Firecrest, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Wren.

A Merlin back on the scene again today as more and more people connect with our 2nd Pallas's Warbler this autumn. A Ringtail Hen Harrier heading South in the early hours enough to wake up even the sleepiest birder! Late morning a Dartford Warbler was found out on the reserve. Other migrants 30 Blackbird, 1 Brambling, 30 Chaffinch, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Firecrest, 72 Goldfinch, 2 Greenfinch, 29 Meadow Pipit, 5 Redpoll, 15 Redwing, 22 Siskin, 1 Skylark, 55 Starling and 233 Woodpigeon.  Offshore 48 Brent Goose, 51 Black-headed Gull, 14 Common Gull, 1 Curlew, 1 Red-breasted Merganser and 4 Wigeon. It must be warm given the appearance of some late butterflies - 3 Common Blue, 2 Clouded Yellow, 3 Red Admiral, 4 Small Copper, 1 Small White.  Both male and female Common Blue recorded today. These are Landguard's latest ever. Ringing: 9 Blackbird, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Goldcrest, 3 Meadow Pipit, 3 Redpoll, 1 Redwing, 2 Robin, 6 Song Thrush.  

Pallas's decided to pull the old disapearing act this afternoon. A plethora of autumnal migrants passing through on this fine November morning. A Merlin spent a short while sitting on the beach before heading to Essex. The first Woodcock this year flushed from inside the observatory - considerably late this autumn. A steady stream of new Blackbirds appearing throughout the day alongside 12 Redwing, 15 Song Thrush and 3 Fieldfare. Other migrants 5 Blackcap, 1 Brambling, 14 Chaffinch, 2 Chiffchaff, 12 Goldcrest, 51 Goldfinch, 29 Meadow Pipit, 1 Redpoll, 15 Robin, 2 Rock Pipit, 30 Siskin, 28 Skylark, 92 Starling and 1 Woodlark.  Pomarine Skua heading North the clear winner of today's sea watch. Plenty more on the big blue including 825 Brent Goose, 16 Common Gull, 126 Cormorant, 2 Curlew, 15 Dunlin, 1 Gannet, 10 Golden Plover, 2 Grey Plover, 4 Knot, 73 Pintail, 95 Lapwing, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Red-throated Diver, 68 Shelduck, 26 Shoveler, 201 Teal, 134 Wigeon.  Gem is an immigrant that usually arrives very late in the season. As a sexually dimorphic moth one can tell this is a female by the maroon-brown colour and white spot on each wing. Males are lighter tawny-brown. Ringing: 37 Blackbird, 3 Blackcap, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Chaffinch, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Firecrest, 5 Goldcrest, 8 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Meadow Pipit, 2 Redwing, 6 Robin, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Wren.  

  Red sky in morning... alas no rain today! A calm, warm autumn day with plenty of birds deciding today is the day to move. 780+ Brent Goose South but with the mist nets so busy there's a good chance we missed a few! Flocks of Woodpigeon also passing over Southbound. A rather unexpected fall of Blackbird late morning coupled with wandering Long-tailed Tit flocks bumped up the ringing total. The Pallas's Warbler is still with us behind the kitchen. Migrants include 50 Blackbird, 1 Brambling, 6 Chaffinch, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Fieldfare, 65 Goldfinch, 20 Goldcrest, 17 Redpoll, 14 Redwing, 25 Robin, 1 Rock Pipit, 18 Siskin, 6 Song Thrush, 125 Starling, 1 Stonechat and 220 Woodpigeon. Offshore 38 Black-headed Gull, 41 Cormorant, 1 Curlew, 45 Dunlin, 36 Knot, 1 Red-throated Diver, 43 Shelduck, 4 Turnstone and 47 Wigeon. Still a few species for example Setaceous Hebrew Character lingering in the mild conditions. Ringing: 23 Blackbird, 1 Black Redstart, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 12 Goldcrest, 17 Long-tailed Tit, 6 Meadow Pipit, 9 Robin, 1 Redpoll, 1 Redwing, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Woodpigeon, 1 Wren.

  After October's Pallas's Warbler stayed a whole week without entering a mist net it was quite a shock to find another one on today's first net round. It has been showing intermittently behind the kitchen hanging out with the Goldcrests. Still the odd Firecrest cropping up around the site and another 3 Swallow South. Definitely some turdus movement noted over night. Migrants include 25 Blackbird, 9 Chaffinch, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Fieldfare, 12 Goldcrest, 203 Goldfinch, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 34 Meadow Pipit, 18 Redwing, 15 Siskin, 15 Song Thrush, 18 Stock Dove and 100 Woodpigeon. 3 Turnstone on the point. Offshore 17 Brent Goose, 2 Common Scoter, 35 Cormorant, 13 Dunlin, 4 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Guillemot, 12 Knot, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Red-throated Diver, 3 Teal and 26 Wigeon. Ringing: 8 Blackbird, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 8 Goldcrest, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Pallas's Warbler, 1 Robin, 5 Song Thrush, 1 Woodpigeon.

 Southerly winds are taking the chill out the air as we are presented with more autumnal migrants. A 1st Winter Little Gull was seen slowly making its way out the river mouth along the beach. 4 late Swallows noted heading South throughout the morning and another Merlin for the year. A couple Firecrest are still loitering around the compound. Other migrants 25 Chaffinch, 1 Chiffchaff, 5 Goldcrest, 150 Goldfinch, 28 Meadow Pipit, 3 Redpoll, 3 Redwing, 46 Siskin, 2 Sparrowhawk, 11 Stock Dover and 40 Woodpigeon. Offshore 6 Brent Goose, 1 Redshank, 1 Ringed Plover and 12 Wigeon. Firebug Pyrrhocoris apterus is a species slowly spreading North in the UK. Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Woodpigeon.

 Windy with inconveinient showers early morning. More moving offshore with southbound up to mid-day 261 Knot, 161 Dunlin, 73 Brent, 31 Common Scoter, 17 Wigeon, 11 Common Gull, 7 Black-headed Gull, 6 Grey Plover, 6 Shelduck, 5 Snipe, 4 Gannet, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Kittiwake, 3 Skylark, 3 Teal, 2 Curlew, 2 Ringo, 2 Tufted Duck, Arctic Tern, Goldeneye (1st of the autumn), Golden Plover & Sanderling with northbound 3 Red-throated Diver (+2 on the sea). 144 Starling came in off with a handful of other birds moved south prior to the rain including 18 Stock Dove 11 Goldfinch, 7 Chaffinch & 5 Mipit. On site 14 Redwing & 3 Fieldfare first thing, Firecrest & Woodlark. Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 1 Son Thrush.

 Still waiting for a big Brent push this autumn. Annoying belt of rain for a couple of hours this morning stiffled activities. Southbound 167 Goldfinch, 132 Starling, 54 Brent, 43 Shelduck, 25 Mipit, 22 Siskin, 17 Redpoll, 14 Dunlin, 13 Black-headed Gull, 8 Common Gull, 7 Skylark, 5 Chaffinch, 3 Knot, 2 Gannet, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Sanderling, Crossbill, Red-throated Diver, Snow Bunting & Woodlark with northbound 3 Common Scoter & a Red-throat (+ 2 more fishing offshore). From mid/late morning to mid-day at least 1,220 Starling & 9 Chaffinch came in off the sea. On site very few grounded migrants but included 25 Mipit, 5 Stock Dove, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Med Gull, 2 Redwing, Chiffchaff, Firecrest & Woodlark. Turnip Moth has two emergences throughout the year & can still be around throughout November. Ringing: 1 Chaffinch, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Wood Pigeon, 1 Wren.