26th October 2017

Weather: SSW force 1  vis 15 mls
Two Reed Buntings were on Middle first thing and another on the main island later, while 4 Goldcrests in the obs garden early were a hopeful sign but they soon moved on and no others were found. The movements of Skylarks of the last week or so did not happen today until mid-morning after which a few dozen went through including a group of 8. A group of 10 Greenfinches dropped out of the sky and landed in the SK paddock, we have been fortunate with Greenfinches this autumn as a similar event took place a week ago.

Observers witnessed a distant flock of 77 Redwings going west towards Wales at a considerable height, the only other thrushes were a couple of Blackbirds down on the island.

 Another traveller west was a Merlin, chasing waders as it went.

A Kestrel stayed all day, giving a good show and was seen to catch a vole on one occassion.

Meadow Pipits trickled through, probably about 100, also 2 Grey Wagtails and 4 Pied Wagtails. The 2 Rock Pipits are probably semi-resident.
Nine Eiders were seen, sometimes consorting with a Red-breasted Merganser.

In the afternoon the first Purple Sandpiper of the autumn was found, a typical date for the first arrival of the wintering birds. A colour ringed Knot was only 1 of 2 on the shore.

Good numbers of Redshanks are now feeding in the gutter, today 175 were counted, also 5 Bar-tailed Godwits. Three little Egrets were on the shore and a quiet sea only produced 1 Guillemot and 3 Scoters.

Ringed: 1 Wren       [ 614-35 ]      photos AEH(most), CJ