3rd October 2014

Weather : SE very early then SW force 3/4, later 4/5
What is expected to be the last of the mild days of autumn passed without great incident although some duck records today hinted at the late autumn yet to come. A flock of 10 Wigeon was noted in the morning (5 drakes and 5 females) followed in the afternoon by 5 Pintail flying west of the island. The Pale-bellied Brent have not increased in numbers, just 4 resting on the whaleback at low tide. The south westerlies are not ideal for sea watching, however 6 Gannets, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 7 Common Scoters, a late Sandwich Tern and a Razorbill were noted. Three Goldcrests were on the south end of the island this morning, either new in or remaining from yesterday and there is still at least 1 Rock Pipit present. Shore records today included 5 Little Egrets and 17 Bar-tailed Godwits, while on the ebb tide 9,500 Oystercatchers and 160 Curlew were counted. The wildlife garden was again worked on with some clearance of bracken.
(DB,CJ,KMc+SD) also Dave Steel, Dave Bowman and Dave Riley from Woolston Eyes and a large party from north east Cheshire. We thank them all for their pleasant company and very generous donation to the obs.