Weather: SE force 1/2, heavy mist, Wales not visible
At last the wind and rain has ceased and the and a south easterly airstream brought hope of late autumn migrants. Several Blackbirds and Song Thrushes arrived together with a small number of Redwings and a few Chaffinches. Starlings flew over in small flocks all morning, as did a scatter of Skylarks. First thing a Merlin hunted at Little Eye but most of the action happened on the main island. The star of the show was a Woodcock that was flushed several times from most corners of the island, even the west side rocks. A Sparrowhawk was seen briefly and then a Short-eared Owl appeared, competing with the Woodcook to show up at as many places as possible, it was later realised there were indeed 2 of the owls when both were seen at the same time.
A Whooper Swan flew passed the north end, and there were other wildfowl in the form of 41 Shelduck, 16 Wigeon and a Teal.
Later came a Pintail and female Gossander, also present was a massive count of 329 pale-bellied Brent with 3 dark-bellied individuals. Mid-morning 2 Fieldfares flew south east over the island, completing the list of all the regular thrushes. Over the high tide attention transfered to the sea and shore with 16 Red-throated Divers, 11 Guillemots and 62 Common Scoters coming into view (one of them settling on the rocks)
while waders included 123 Turnstone, 43 Grey Plover and 3 Bar-tailed Godwit. The Kestrel continued to hunt for voles and a Peregrine was sighted.
Ringed: 3 Blackbirds, 3 Song Thrushes.
photos AS
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