Another excellent early November day with at least 80 species recorded on site, the highlight being an exceptional site record 111,500 Wood Pigeon heading west, almost doubling the previous maximum. Witnessed by one early rising observer, the majority were pushed far out to sea by the northerly wind, with only c1,500 after 9am; with them at least 100 Stock Dove, though probably many more were involved. Also moving overhead 40+ Chaffinch, 20 Pintail, 15+ Rook, four Brambling, two Golden Plover, a Lapwing, a Mistle Thrush and a tardy Swallow.
Grounded migrants included 90+ Greenfinch, a female Blackcap, a presumed abientus Chiffchaff singing by the Main Pond and two Goldcrest.
Counts from the estuary included a second site record 68 Cattle Egret, 800+ Wigeon, 260 Dark-bellied and a Pale bellied Brent Geese, 77 Turnstone, 40 Grey Plover, 35 Shelduck, 14 Greenshank, at least 10 Mediterranean Gull, six Knot, five Great-crested and a Little Grebe, three Lapwing and a Red-breasted Merganser.
Elsewhere a Kingfisher had a narrow escape from a Sparrowhawk at the Main Pond and single Peregrine and Merlin hunting over the estuary.
Wildlife News: At least 25 Common Darter were still on the wing with two Migrant Hawker, seven Red Admiral and a Small White. On the remaining Ivy flowers a huge queen Hornet, six hoverfly species, Common Carder Bee and a Buff-tailed Bumblebee.
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