Friday 16th October

A few different species but the same impressive list of 82 species recorded today. To achieve this, individual birders have each spent up to 17.5 hours on site over the past two days; it's been worthwhile.

Overhead movement commenced 07:25, a little before sunrise (07:40) and one of the first birds in was a Yellowhammer that remained around the Dune Pond area for a few hours. October is the peak month for this less than annual migrant and raises the site year-list to 171 species. In the company of up to three migrant Reed Bunting and some of the six Cirl Bunting was a notable mix of buntings here. Similar to yesterday, 20 Crossbill flew NE (1,1,9,6,2, 1) including some males. A slaty-bluer-mantled Coal Tit that moved NE was probably an 'ater'.

Also on the move, 79 Siskin (NE), 68 Meadow Pipit (NE), 23 Skylark (21 W, 2 NE), 15 Lesser Redpoll (9 NE, 6 SW), a large count here; 14 Chaffinch (NE), seven Swallow (most NE), five Pintail (in off), four Rook, four House Martin (NE), three Grey High high up in off the sea flew west; two Lesser Black-backed Gull (S), two Song Thrush (high W), two Mistle Thrush (briefly landed in The Spinney, then NE); the latest Sand Martin (NE) since 1997; and a Grey Wagtail (NE). A large finch flock assembled in Greenland Lake and added to those that leap-frogged to continue passage north-east were c.240 Goldfinch, 21 Greenfinch and eight Linnet.

When still dark, 20 Mallard lifted from roost on the Main Pond where later two Water Rail were heard and a Kingfisher perched up on the posts. Brief looks offshore revealed rafts of 34 Common Scoter, a few Gannet, the drake Eider and a Great Crested Grebe.

As yesterday, the morning tide was foregone to concentrate on visible migration. On the evening tide, masses of birds assembled on site with counts that included 1164 Oystercatcher, 1152 Wigeon, 887 Teal, 256 Dark-bellied Brent Goose (included the first juv); 111 Turnstone, 107+ Dunlin, 58 Knot, 55 Grey Plover, 18 Mute Swan, just ten Great Black-backed Gull, nine Pale-bellied Brent Goose (included a family group); eight Greenshank, two Shelduck, two more Mallard, another Pintail, another Kingfisher, a late Whimbrel, a Black-tailed Godwit; the long-staying juv Little Stint and the Slavonian Grebe. A Jackdaw out on the mudflats was an unusual sight here.

The bushes were a bit neglected; one or two Chiffchaff and Goldcrest were noted and the nomadic Long-tailed Tit dominated tit flock again passed through. Other expected sightings included single Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and Great Spotted Woodpecker.