Saturday 8th November 2008 - LEO, Jack Snipe and the afternoon shift bag a Stock Dove..

First bird seen today was a Long Eared Owl perched on the fence near the feeding station then taking off flying over the Ship Canal.

Next decent bird was a Jack Snipe which took off from near the West Pool, with too much sleep in my eyes I was too dozy to catch it! After that a Merlin was seen hunting the West gorse area.

Thrushes were in abundance today with totals of 500 Redwing and 600 Fieldfare, 6 Song Thrush and 20+ Blackbird.

Woodpiegons were moving all morning and were in excess of 800.

Other birds of note included single Raven and Peregrine, 2 Sparrowhawk, 3 Snipe, 20 Tufted Duck, 20 Chaffinch, 20 Goldfinch, 6 Siskin, 10 Redpoll,1 Chiffchaff, 12 Skylark and 150 Starling.

Helen, Steve and Liz stayed till mid afternoon and were rewarded with a Stock Dove (pictured-bird from May 08) and another Siskin.

My ringing totals were:

Greenfinch -8

Wren -1

Blackbird -1 (pictured - typical British bird)

Great Spotted Woodpecker -1 (pictured - 1st year female)

Reed Bunting -1

Total = 12
AEH,RDR,HW,SDM,MA,EK.