Thursday, 20 October 2022

Thursday 20th October

An excellent day with 83 species recorded, but despite this the highlight was non-avian. Pushing this close though was the first ever multiple record of Marsh Harrier with three different individuals heading south in a 40 minute period mid morning. Also through a Merlin, 235 Redwing, 64 Skylark, 10 Siskin and a group of six Arctic Skua (including at least two pale phase adults) which flew from the estuary, low over Warren Point and out to sea early afternoon.

Arctic Skua (imm) - Luke Harman

Around the bushes, 110 Goldfinch, 15 Chiffchaff, six Blackcap and four Goldcrest with two Cetti's Warbler at the Main Pond and a Dartford Warbler in the Buffer Zone.

Stonechat - Luke Harman

Elsewhere a Balearic Shearwater, three Common Scoter and the Eider were offshore with counts from the estuary included 861 Oystercatcher, 121 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 95 Dunlin, 74 Ringed and 16 Grey Plover, 25 Bar-tailed Godwit, two Sandwich Tern and single Knot and Whimbrel

Wildlife News: A Crimson Speckled was discovered nectaring on Ivy on the Golf Course late afternoon, the second site record of this North African migrant, following one in Oct 2017. Further signs of migration included a Vestal and 80+ Rush Veneer also recorded during the day, most roosting up in grassland but some just resting on the beach.

Crimson Speckled - Luke Harman

Vestal - Luke Harman

Other insect activity was limited with the leaf beetle Chrysolina banksiijust single Red Admiral and Speckled Wood on the wing and Ivy Bee only recorded from the same patch of Ivy as the Crimson Speckled. 

Chrysolina banksii - Alan Keatley

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