7th October 2012

Goldcrest

With the wind going around to the north east and falling light, there was a small amount of movement today in the very pleasant continuous sunshine. The Brents (above) were counted at 148, an amazing total so early in the autumn as the peak in usually in January, surely a record will be reached this winter. A Sparrowhawk flew about the island after dawn, possibly the same individual that did the same thing on Thursday, then 3 House Sparrows were found in the bushes in the obs garden and later 3 Greenfinches were attracted to the garden feeders. Four Goldfinches were also logged and a flock of 60 Linnets which were certainly not all island breeding birds. Other late autumn species included a Grey Wagtail down on the ground, 15 Starlings and 6 Skylark fly-overs. Several Goldcrests called in the bushes and there were more than usual Robins and Wrens indicating a small passage through the island. Three Little Egrets were feeding in the east gutter with a good number of 110 Redshanks and 11 Bar-tailed Godwits. 'Thumper' the Rabbit again broke cover briefly early in the day. 

 Ringed:- 3 Goldcrests, 2 Wrens, 1 Robin         [ 989-30 ]

 (DB+ESCA,JE,CJ)      photos  CJ