19th October 2009 - overcast/rain SW4
Offshore
Morning observations on the rising tide and in persistent rain and low visibility produced just 29 Common Scoter, 5 Guillemot, 5 Razorbill, 3 Gannet and a pale phase Arctic Skua. However, the highlight appeared later in the day when a Slavonian Grebe was found consorting with Great Crested Grebes along the eastern shore on the ebbing tide.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock contained 18 pale-bellied and 7 dark-bellied birds. Totals from the monthly WeBS count included 7387 Oystercatcher, 2214 Redshank, 1400 Golden Plover, 1144 Wigeon, 1022 Curlew, 413 Teal, 340 Lapwing, 328 Grey Plover, 252 Mallard, 234 Cormorant, 158 Ringed Plover, 41 Red-breasted Merganser, 39 Snipe and 24 Grey Heron.
Miscellaneous
Another Great Spotted Woodpecker continued the excellent recent run of sightings for this species and 11 Twite were logged. A total of 32 Little Egret are now scattered along the island's eastern shore.
