Pitsea Catch 19/9/15

First gull ringing session of the Autumn/Winter season resulted in a small catch today, it was a very warm day and the birds were not really interested in feeding, but we finally got some birds into the catch area late morning.

Totals:

Great Black-backed Gull        6
Lesser Black-backed Gull      1
Herring Gull                           89
Yellow-Legged Gull               1



These big brute was hanging around the tip face and was one of several adult Y-L seen.

Couple of 1w seen around to.

Found this Putative Caspian to.

Urban Chat

Finally added a long overdue Mayesbrook Park site tick this morning, a pre work Whinchat! the parks been crying out for one of late, and with some decent habitat management and what seems to be one of the best autumns for this species in London, it was great to finally find one here.

The Siskin invasion has even reached here, with several flocks moving north and a steady movement of mipit south.

Late afternoon the Whinchat is still present and managed a few pictures, its always easier getting closer to a single bird than a family group.

Siskin still moving through this evening and even flushed a grounded Skylark, have only had these on passage over before.


The Wigeon is still here and has moved onto south lake.

This Green Woodpecker was busy feeding.

Staying Local

Smashed the patch this morning and had some good birds but still lacking any real quality, couldn't complain though had four patch year ticks in the shape of flyby Redpoll and Siskin and a bonus Turtle Dove south and a Spot fly around the cordite.

Best of the rest were at least 13 Whinchat on site, Wheatear, constant Yellow wag and House Martin movement, Barn Owl, Marsh Harrier, Bearded Tits, Pintail, Greenshank.

The foreshore held a single Avocet, 3 Turnstone amongst the Dunlin & Ringed plover at least 13 Seal hauled up on the far side were by far my highest count.


Star bird of the day goes to this Spotted Redshank found by Vince at the Dagenham chase this morning having earlier been seen at Fairlop by Alan bell, first since may 1992 and a site tick for myself.

Still Alive!

Wow, well over a month since my last blog post, been busy ringing most weekends, working hard to getting my C permit which hopefully is not to far away.

The patch has been a bit neglected of late but did manage to add both Wood Sandpiper and a long overdue Barn owl putting me on 124 for the Rainham year list.

Hopefully some more birding now the autumn is here, I feel a dunge seawatch calling....


Some pictures below of my latest ringing antics

Marsh tit caught 8.8.15 was the autumns first

Spot flys was a new species ringed by me, 2 juvenile birds the above bird more advanced.

this spot fly nest was found nearbye, probably second brood with 3 newly hatched young.

male Nuthatch ringed 2.8.15

Lesser Whitethroat ringed 2.8.15

Little Owl (ad male) ringed 28.7.15

Corncrake (juv) ringed at private site 29.7.15

Barn Owls 16-6-15

Had some great views of some local Barn Owls of late, a few pictures below.

Patch Update 3/5/15

Just as most of us were complaining of a poor wader passage this spring,  it seems its still on.  Four Temminck's Stints arrived on the target pools last Thursday (again curtesy of A.T) .

Still small numbers of Dunlin being seen alongside the odd Sanderling, Greenshank and Ringed Plovers moving through in double figures.

Last night Two Turnstone graced the pools, alongside a pair of Avocet.  Still chance for another goody before summer kicks in - we hope!!

one of the resident Redshank

These pheasant fledglings were good entertainment as they crossed in front of me.

Rainham Yearlist - 121 

Red-backed Shrike, Fairlop. 25/5/15

Any land locked patchworker will tell you that on the top of their want list, will be to find a stunning male red-backed shrike!   Alan Bell done that today!  Proving very elusive at first (well for 6 hours at least!) the bird finally gave itself up for all to enjoy.

Well done Alan, he has been watching this patch since the late 70's and has a number of quality finds to his name including a lifer back in the day for me, in the shape of a Hume's Warbler.

Today's Stunner!