8th October 2021

 Weather: SSE force 3, warm with sunny intervals

Just before dawn the Barn Owl was hunting at the south end of the island and the best photo yet was obtained as it sat on the fence around the top paddock

 A fairly quiet morning followed until it became alive with the finding of a Firecrest in the sycamores of 'heli' trap.

 

The bird here on 7th September was very elusive whereas this individual was seen actively feeding at times and favouring the tree in the east garden of Telegraph house in the afternoon.

 

The Firecrest had travelled alone, there were no Goldcrests about today, just a few extra Wrens and Robins and a few dozen Meadow Pipits passing through and with over 20 Skylarks and 3 Reed Buntings calling as they flew by. A Song Thrush which was caught and ringed was thought to be the first here this autumn. During a quiet period over the tide members guest Myra Brown sketched the view of Middle from the obs

It was the highest tide of the month 6,500 Oystercatchers covered Middle by midday and other waders logged were 26 Sanderling, 67 Ringed Plover, 350 Dunlin, 25 Turnstone, 6 Redshank, 3 Grey Plover and 4 Bar-tailed Godwit. Also on the shore were 12 Little Egrets and 4 Grey Herons. Ninety Brent were counted, a diver species, 35 Common Scoter and 58 Shelduck were seen while 2 Great Crested Grebes were below the obs at high tide with one in full summer plumage.

 

Photos AS, SRW