Bird news for November 2009

November 5th

A fine, clear and cool night, provided the first big Wood Pigeon movement of the Autumn, which proved to be a near record. Most flocks went throught in the first hour (07:00-08:00h) helping to accumulate a full morning's total of 5 349 south. The first hour proved quite busy all round, with several high Fieldfare flocks and small groups of Starlings going through. Small numbers of all the commoner finches were also moving either south or west. Best oof all these counts were 170 Starling west and 65 Fieldfare south. An additional 180 Fieldfare were at Penny Pasture Common, with a Marsh Tit nearby and the Green Sandpiper again present at Penny Pasture Common. The cooler weather also contributed to more Herring Gulls (46) going south and south-west and some genuine Lesser Black-backed Gull movement today, with 95 south-west.

At Eakring Flash, there was another increase in Mallard (now 50 present) along with at least eight Teal and a Water Rail.

November 8th

More Wood Pigeon migration this morning than there was yesterday, with flocks generally higher and suggesting a point of origin further north than the large movement of the 5th. 883 went south, but all movement had ended by 08:15h. Small number of other species continue to pass through, but there was a marked increase in the number of Greenfinches today, with 25 south-east. Herring Gulls were passing through early on, with 53 high south, with only limited numbers of the other large gulls. 214 Pink-footed Geese flew north-west at 08:20h.

November 12th

Very quiet as the end of Autumn migration nears. Just a few Starling (133) still moving west and 55 Fieldfare south and south-west and just small numbers of the usual finches continuing to go through. Two Water Rail were calling from opposite ends of Eakring Flash.

November 15th

The morning was mainly about the movement of 1 078 Wood Pigeon north throughout most of the morning and a huge increase in wildfowl at Eakring Flash on recent years. Initially, it was thought that the Wood Pigeon flocks moving high north were from a roost and part of a feeding movement. However, this rarely occurs at Eakring and flocks could be seen moving far out to the eastern horizon, indicating that this was genuine movement. The count of 1 078 was a considerable under-estimate.

At Eakring Flash, at least one Water Rail still present, but a total of 78 Mallard was the highest count since November 2003 and 26 Teal also present were later joined by a further 36 Teal, that came in from the Wellow direction. This increase in numbers is probably due to the cutting of some of the Sallow scrub around Eakring Flash, which has gradually become extremely overgrown, leading to a drop in numbers over the past few years. No ducks have been released for shooting, it has been confirmed. It is hoped that much more scrub will be cut throughout the Winter months.

November 21st

Increasing numbers of wildfowl at Eakring Flash again, with counts of 103 Mallard, a minimum of 26 Teal and a female Shoveler this morning. Very little moving through again, but a female Merlin was a welcome year tick, moving east over Lound Wood.

November 28th

Wildfowl numbers and variety continue to be the best here for years, with the female Shoveler again, along with a female Pochard (unusual date here and only the second record of 2009) and a minimum of 78 Mallard and 18 Teal at Eakring Flash. Two Water Rail were calling at the southern-end of Eakring Flash. Some south-westerly gull movement noted early afternoon, with 71 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 16 Common Gull moving through.

Eakring Bird news
November 2009
Featuring news and sightings from Eakring