Saturday 8 October 2016

Saturday 8th October

A calmer day saw visible passage pick up and a turn-over of passerines pausing on site before heading on, with counts of 90+ Linnet, 54 Meadow Pipit, 58+ Goldfinch, c.30 Pied Wagtail, 30 Chaffinch, 20 Skylark, 17 House Martin, 12 Rook, eight Song Thrush (highest count since Jan), three Jackdaw, two Grey Wagtail, two Lesser Redpoll (first of the autumn) and single Raven, Swallow and a Bullfinch.  The clear highlight was a Turtle Dove that flew NE low of the tree-tops at 09:10. the first on site since Apr 2014 and for one regular observer, his first in 11 years! 

On the estuary, during the neap tide, 1489 Oystercatcher, 269 Redshank, 243 Curlew, 60 Knot, 29 Dunlin, 27 Ringed Plover, 23 Cormorant including a sinensis; 21 Shelduck, 16 Turnstone, 14 Bar-tailed Godwit, seven Sandwich Tern, six Sanderling, five Black-tailed Godwit, three Kingfisher, two Mediterranean Gull, a Whimbrel, a Greenshank and the Slavonian Grebe.  In the estuary corner, 909 Teal was the highest congregation since Dec 2010.  The three jet-skiers who disturbed these and all other waterbirds there were later intercepted and politely made aware of their error.  More natural disturbance was caused by an Osprey that drifted down channel late morning then headed back up the estuary. 

Little at sea, 51 Common Scoter and two Grey Plover in off.  The bushes held 17 Chiffchaff, 11 Blackcap,  three Goldcrest, one or two each of Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Jay, Wheatear, Cirl Bunting and a Whitethroat, the latest date since 2010.

Wildlife News: Red Admiral and numerous Small Copper still on the wing.  Sand Lizards were also seen out.

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