Flat calm

Today the weather was flat calm. The sea resembled a mirror and the sky was cloudless, no wind could be felt in the garden. I had a feeling many birds would have migrated overnight then. Migration was heavy over land and Sea and we ringed 95 birds as follows: Robin 22, Goldcrest 20, Wren 9, Chiffchaff 8, Song Thrush 7, Dunnock 7, Reed Bunting 5, Great Tit 5, Blackbird 4, Tree Sparrow 2, Redwing 1, Blackcap 1, Coal Tit 1, Chaffinch 1, Greenfinch 1, Redpoll 1. Below is a picture of today's Tree Sparrow.

Tree Sparrow 1cy+ Passer montanus

Migrating today; 6 Red Kite, 15 Common Buzzard, 3 Rough-legged Buzzard, 2 Kestrel and 23 Sparrowhawks were seen. Also 2500+ Eider, 8 Red-breasted Merganser, 300 Common Scoter, 10 White-fronted Geese. 380+ Barnacle Geese, 56 Brent Geese (29 Resting on the sea), 25 Greylag Geese and 5 Cranes. Finches moved in good numbers with Siskins and Chafflings dominating (500 or so of each). Redwing, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush and a few Fieldfare moved. 38 Jays were counted today, the biggest count so far this Autumn.

Photo and Blog: Craig Brookes