14th October 2012 –early showers then sunny spells/calm
Grounded Migrants
Little evidence of many grounded birds with sightings limited to 7 Goldcrest, 4 Blackbird, 2 Chiffchaff and single Great Spotted Woodpecker and Mistle Thrush.
Diurnal Migration
Variety remained the order of the day with 610 Jackdaw, 110 Pink-footed Geese, 50 Meadow Pipit, 20 alba Wagtail, 6 Rock Pipit, 3 Swallow, 2 Grey Wagtail and single Twite and Lesser Redpoll amongst the sightings logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 660 Wigeon while 800 Golden Plover and 400 Turnstone were the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
At least 10 Little Egret remain while other sightings included the long-staying Hooded Crow along with 4 Raven and single Short-eared Owl and Merlin.
13th October 2012 –early showers then sunny/calm
Grounded Migrants
Goldcrest were to the fore with 35 birds logged along with 5 Coal Tit, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Redwing and single Blackcap.
Diurnal Migration
Variety was again the order of the day with 110 Pink-footed Geese, 110 Meadow Pipit, 35 alba Wagtail, 30 Chaffinch, 20 Linnet, 20 Skylark, 4 Swallow, 3 Siskin, 2 Brambling, 2 Lesser Redpoll and single Tree Sparrow and Rock Pipit recorded.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wigeon numbers are beginning to build and waders included 11 Greenshank and a Woodcock.
Miscellaneous
The first 13 Twite of the autumn were seen along with 320 Goldfinch and 2 Water Rail.
10th October 2012 –overcast SE3
Offshore
Sightings were limited to 3 Shag and a Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
The first 3 Redwing of the autumn were grounded early morning with 7 Goldcrest and 2 Chiffchaff providing the supporting cast.
Diurnal Migration
Pink-footed Geese continued to pour through throughout the morning with a total of 2660 logged. Also seen were 920 Jackdaw, 100 Meadow Pipit, 55 alba Wagtail, 30 Starling, 15 Whooper Swan, 12 Chaffinch, 9 Lesser Redpoll, 8 Rook, 8 Skylark, 6 Tree Sparrow and a Brambling.
Miscellaneous
Raptors included 4 Kestrel, 3 Merlin and single Peregrine, Sparrowhawk and Little Owl. A Water Rail was the best of the rest.
9th October 2012 –bright and sunny NE1/2
Grounded Migrants
Although 3 Mistle Thrush, 2 Song Thrush and 2 Coal Tit were logged at dawn, they soon melted away to leave just 5 Goldcrest and single Wheatear and Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Quantity was provided by 1695 Pink-footed Geese and 800 Jackdaw while 250 Meadow Pipit, 14 Reed Bunting, 10 alba Wagtail, 10 Swallow, 10 Chaffinch, 7 Skylark, 6 Greenfinch, 4 Tree Sparrow and 2 Siskin added variety.
Dragonflies
A Migrant Hawker was still on the wing
Moths and Butterflies
Around 12 day-flying Silver Y were feeding on late flowering Ragwort while both Red Admiral and Small Tortoiseshell are still on the wing.
8th October 2012 – overcast then sunny spells NE2/3
Offshore
A quick check over the sea revealed nothing of note.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 15 Goldcrest and single Song Thrush and Coal Tit.
Diurnal Migration
Variety rather than quantity was again the order of the day with 500 Meadow Pipit, 200 Jackdaw, 190 Pink-footed Geese, 30 alba Wagtail, 22 Tree Sparrow, 10 Chaffinch, 5 Rook, 4 Swallow, 4 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Raven and single Siskin, Rock Pipit and Brambling logged.
Miscellaneous
Two Merlin were the best of the rest.
7th October 2012 –bright and sunny/calm
Offshore
A quick check over the sea at dawn provided small numbers of Gannet, Common Scoter and Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
Still thin on the ground with 7 Goldcrest, 4 Chiffchaff and a Blackcap the best on offer. However, a minor invasion mid-morning produced 20 Blue Tit, 9 Coal Tit and 7 Great Tit.
Diurnal Migration
Calm at last and variety was the order of the day with sightings including 945 Pink-footed Geese, 300 Meadow Pipit, 80 Swallow, 30 alba Wagtail, 24 Tree Sparrow, 20 Skylark, 14 Jackdaw, 10 Chaffinch, 10 Greenfinch, 3 Brambling, 2 Lesser Redpoll and 2 House Martin.
Wildfowl and Waders
A group of 5 Whooper Swan flew south early morning.
Ringing
The best day of the autumn so far with 103 birds trapped including a female Merlin with biometric data suggesting it was of Icelandic origin (Wing length 231mm, Weight 222g).
Miscellaneous
At least 7 Little Egret remain and raptors included 2 Merlin and a Peregrine. Two Jay were unusual and the Hooded Crow remains in residence.
5th October 2012 –sunshine and heavy showers SW 4
Offshore
Morning observations (0815-0915) provided 130 Common Scoter, 40 Gannet, 33 Razorbill, 3 Red-throated Diver, 2 Kittiwake and a Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
A late Whinchat was the only bird of note.
Diurnal Migration
Little was on the move due to the conditions with just 120 Meadow Pipit, 20 Skylark and 3 Jackdaw noted.
Wildfowl and Waders
A group of 6 Whooper Swan drifted on the tide.
Miscellaneous
At least 14 Little Egret remain and a Peregrine was logged.
4th October 2012 –sunshine and showers NE1 then W2
Offshore
Little was on the move over the sea with just a Shag and small numbers of Common Scoter and Razorbill logged.
Grounded Migrants
Remaining sparse with just 12 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff and single Wheatear and Great Spotted Woodpecker logged.
Diurnal Migration
The first decent morning of the month failed to live up to expectations with variety rather than quantity the order of the day. Sightings involved: 300 Meadow Pipit, 115 Pink-footed Goose, 60 Skylark, 43 Swallow, 41 Chaffinch, 30 alba Wagtail, 5 Lesser Redpoll, 4 Siskin, 3 Reed Bunting, 2 House Martin and single Whooper Swan, Grey Wagtail and Brambling recorded
Wildfowl and Waders
The wintering flock of pale-bellied Brent Geese has increased to 78 birds.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow continues in residence and raptors included Merlin, Peregrine and Little Owl.
1st October 2012 – sunshine and showers SW3/4
Offshore
Early morning observations (0815-0915) provided 180 Common Scoter, 18 Razorbill, 12 Gannet, 2 Red-throated Diver and a Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A few more Robin were in evidence but otherwise sightings were limited to 3 Goldcrest.
Diurnal Migration
A few birds were on the move despite the wind with 100 Meadow Pipit, 80 Skylark, 30 alba Wagtail, 10 Chaffinch, 6 Siskin and single Lesser Redpoll and Swallow logged.
Miscellaneous
A Little Owl was the best of the rest.
