2010 - what a year!

An amazing year for the observatory - the following where the highlights in the recording area:

Hume's Warbler (2nd for Holme)

'apparent' Northern Harrier

Pallid Harrier (1st for Holme)

Arctic Warbler (4th for Holme)

Red-flanked Bluetail (1st for Holme)

Gull-billed Tern (2nd for Holme)

Alpine Swift

Snow Goose

Corncrake

Red-necked Phalarope

Grey Phalarope (3)

Icterine Warbler

Barred Warbler (4+)

Rough-legged Buzzard

Honey Buzzard

Red-backed Shrike (2)

Great Grey Shrike (2)

Wood Warbler

Yellow-browed Warbler (3)

Siberian Chiffchaff

Red-breasted Flycatcher

Sabine's Gull (3)

Long-tailed Skua (2)

Wryneck (2)

Thanks to all who found birds and contributed records. Hopefully next year will be just as productive!

Hume's Leaf Warbler

This HUME'S LEAF WARBLER (pictured above by Jed Andrews) was trapped on the NOA reserve today (23rd November) at 09:30, having been present since yesterday (when it was heard only). It was retrapped in net 0A and had a fat score of 1. It is only the 2nd Holme record, following one on 22nd October 1997. The bird is favouring the west end of the reserve although it is being rather elusive - after being released today it was only heard a couple of times in the afternoon.

Hen Harreir at Redwell 14th November

Ringtail Hen Harrier Redwell Marsh. 14th November.
After sitting on one of the posts by the footpath the Harrier proceeded to quarter the marsh, flushing the hundreds of Teal present in the process !

Jay 14th November. Taken near the church at Holme where a party of 6 Waxwings had flown through earler in the morning.

Waxwings

This autumn/early winter has seen an excellent movement of Waxwings right along the east coast, including in the Holme recording area. These superb pictures (click to make them bigger) were taken by Pam Rand and depict 3 Waxwings that lingered along the river Hun, between the Redwell Marsh hide and the standing caravan, on the afternoon of 7th November, a day that saw a small arrival on land ('northern Bullfinch' and 4 Woodcocks, as well as a small arrival of Blackbirds, Goldcrests and Robins), as well as some reasonable movement on the sea (including 4 Little Auks, 2 Sooty Shearwaters and 6 Pomarine Skuas, as well as a good duck passage).

'Eastern' Lesser Whitethroat

Another shot of the 'Eastern' Lesser Whitethroat (pictured by Ian Simmons) that continues its long stay along the NOA east bank (to 10th November at least).

Lesser Whitethroat. Woodcock and a surprise diver on the Broadwater

Eastern type Lesser Whitethroat 6th November. Still present in spite of having a good body weight and carrying a good layer of fat.

Woodcock 6th november. 1 of 2 ringed during the day

Great Northern Diver 6th November. a couple of record shots of the bird that spent approximately 20 minutes on the broaswater before lifting off and flying east after circling round Holme marsh.

Redwell Waders and a blackcap from the Obs

Blackcap 31 October.
1 of nearly 100 birds ringed in the day, with ringing records at the observatory continuing to tumble as birds continue to pass through.

Red Admiral 30 October

Redsahnk Redwell Marsh 28th October

2 Dunlin that spent the afternoon in front of the hide on Redwell 28th October. A water Vole from the bridge behind the hide was a bonus - but it didn't stay to be photographed !

26th October. 2 out of 3 waxwings in the trees in the car park on beach road. Taken in dull early morning light so little more than sillhouettes.

Tawny Owl 24 October

Grey wagtail 15th October - A new ringing species at Holme

Grey Wagtail 15th October

Ring Ouzel 30th September - a young male bird and the second of the Autumn to be ringed

Holmes Superb Autumn continues

After the massive fall of migrants over the week-end of 8th -10th October that saw ringing records at the observatory shattered on successive days a Red Flanked Bluetail present in the dunes on the afternoon of the 17th October, continued the impressive run of rare birds seen at Holme this autumn.

Bearded Tit 16th October. 1 of 5 ringed

Stonechat 12 October

Great Spotted Woodpecker 11 October

Redpoll 11 october

Autumn Images 2

Black Redstart on the railings of the new disabled access from the observatory car park !
All pictures 10th October

Jay

Cettis warbler

Swallow - a late ringing record that coincide with a very late record of a cuckoo present for 2 days around the pines

Autumn Images 3

Ring ouzel 9 th october

Siskin 9th October

Brambling 8th October

Redstart 8th october

Sparrowhawk 7th October. bathing in the pool opposite the Dell Hide