2nd November 2023 – overcast/rain at times NNE3/5
Offshore
Early morning observations over the sea (0800-0900) produced 52 Common Scoter, 20 Gannet, 7 Shag, 6 Razorbill, 5 Kittiwake, 3 Red-throated Diver and 3 Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 20 Blackbird, 2 Song Thrush and a Redwing. Also seen were 10 Long-tailed Tit and 3 Goldcrest.
Diurnal Migration
Flocks of 70 Pink-footed Geese and 27 Whooper Swan were logged.
Miscellaneous
A Great White Egret was seen; the Hooded Crow remains and a Short-eared Owl was logged.
1st November 2023 – overcast/rain clearing to showers SSE3/5
Offshore
Early morning observations over the sea (0800-0900) were led by 5 Little Gulls amongst totals of 41 Common Scoter, 21 Razorbill, 14 Kittiwake and 10 Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
A Ring Ouzel was amongst 10 Blackbird, 5 Goldcrest and a late Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
Four Swallow were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 18 Greenshank amongst 500 Dunlin, 500 Redshank, 80 Grey Plover and 70 Lapwing.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
30th October 2023 – overcast/rain at times ENE3/5
Offshore
Early morning observations over the sea produced totals of 58 Razorbill, 39 Common Scoter, 24 Gannet, 20 Shag, 6 Guillemot, 5 Red-throated Diver and a Kittiwake.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 10 Goldcrest, 7 Redwing, 3 Song Thrush, 2 Fieldfare and a Blackcap.
Diurnal Migration
Totals of 30 Chaffinch, 8 Whooper Swan, 2 Siskin, 2 Lesser Redpoll and a Brambling were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 18 Greenshank and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and additional sightings included 2 Merlin and single Short-eared Owl and Water Rail.
29th October 2023 – early rain then sunny spells SE2/3
Rarities
At least 5 Water Pipit were amongst 12 Rock Pipit feeding in the flooded horse paddock behind Biggar at high tide.
Offshore
A scan of the sea revealed 23 Common Scoter, 18 Razorbill, 3 Shag, 2 Gannet, 2 Kittiwake and a Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Woodland species were on offer with 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Treecreeper logged amongst 31 Long-tailed Tit, 10 Goldcrest and a Chiffchaff. Early morning thrushes involved 14 Redwing and 2 Fieldfare.
Diurnal Migration
Totals of 45 Jackdaw, 16 Siskin, 4 Lesser Redpoll and 2 Brambling were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
A redhead Goosander was seen and waders included single Black-tailed Godwit and Jack Snipe.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and additional sightings included 2 Merlin and single Buzzard and Water Rail.
28th October 2023 – overcast/drizzle at times E2/4
Offshore
A check of the sea early morning revealed 32 Shag, 17 Common Scoter, 3 Gannet, 2 Razorbill and single Kittiwake, Red-throated Diver and Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
A Ring Ouzel was amongst 31 Blackbird and a Fieldfare among 10 Redwing, additional sightings included single Yellow-browed Warbler, Goldcrest and Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Just 7 Siskin, 6 Whooper Swan and a Lesser Redpoll were logged.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and additional sightings included 2 Peregrine and a Merlin.
27th October 2023 – sunny spells E2/4
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 10 Blackbird, 2 Song Thrush and a single Fieldfare, additional sightings included the lingering Yellow-browed Warbler amongst 22 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Goldcrest and 2 Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Birds continue to move through with 400 Jackdaw, 125 Pink-footed Goose, 20 Chaffinch, 6 Whooper Swan, 4 Tree Sparrow, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Rock Pipit and a Siskin logged.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and additional sightings included 2 Peregrine and single Merlin and Water Rail.
Butterflies and Moths
A few Red Admiral remain on the wing and immigrants in the moth trap involved Rusty Dot Pearl, Rush Veneer and Silver Y.
26th October 2023 – overcast/rain clearing E2/4
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved a single Mistle Thrush, additional sightings included the first Yellow-browed Warbler of the autumn amongst 5 Goldcrest and 2 Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Two Swallow flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
A total of 12 Greenshank were pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
25th October 2023 – bright and sunny V1
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 20 Redwing and single Fieldfare and Song Thrush, additional sightings included 48 Long-tailed Tit, 9 Goldcrest, 2 Coal Tit and single Snow Bunting, Chiffchaff and Blackcap.
Diurnal Migration
Totals through the morning included 300 Jackdaw, 12 Greylag Goose, 11 Lesser Redpoll, 10 Swallow, 10 Tree Sparrow, 7 Pied Wagtail, 2 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Brambling and single Great Spotted Woodpecker and Siskin.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Shoveler was amongst 350 Wigeon and 290 Teal and a Black-tailed Godwit was the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains and 2 Peregrine and a Water Rail were logged.
23rd October 2023 – sunny spells E3/4
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 30 Blackbird, 23 Redwing, 3 Fieldfare, 3 Song Thrush and a Mistle Thrush while additional sightings involved 12 Goldcrest, 11 Long-tailed Tit and a Blackcap.
Diurnal Migration
Morning totals included 1000 Jackdaw, 20 Chaffinch, 4 Brambling, 4 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Tree Sparrow, 2 Siskin and a Grey Wagtail.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow remains.
