11th - 12th November

More effort was invested in the field on the 12th, however, a calm period in the otherwise windy weather allowed nets to be opened at Holland gardens with the attempt of trapping a couple migrants leaving their roost.  Unfortunately the nets remained empty despite seeing 2 Woodcock, 7 Fieldfare, 2 Redwing and 5 Blackbirds around the gardens.  A Waxwing also flew over the obs later that day.

We went a little further afield on the 12th.  Birds seen included 5 Red-throated Divers, Great Northern Diver, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers.  With impeding bad weather gulls often come ashore to shelter from strong wind and rain.  Given that 15 Common Gulls, 30 Herring Gulls and 60 Great Black-backed Gulls had arrived on the Links it was clear that tough weather conditions were setting in heralding the arrival of winter.  A little more winter spirit came in the form of 5 Snow Buntings.  Waterfowl numbers remain consistent with 71 Wigeon, 12 Teal, 2 Pintail, 4 Shoveler, 12 Long-tailed Duck and the lingering Green-winged Teal.  Waders on offer included 85 Sanderling, 2 Grey Plover, 3 Purple Sandpipers, 25 Dunlin, 12 Bar-tailed Godwit.  A few lingering winter migrants around Holland and the obs added 10 Blackbirds, 17 Fieldfare, 18 Redwing and a Long-eared Owl to the totals.  In all, a satisfying end to the day.

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