1st November 2011

The wet weather front had moved through by first light and the Southerly wind dropped to force 2-3. Thirteen hundred and fifty Starling were observed crossing the estuary in several flocks and the usual exodus of Cormorants headed out into the Irish sea (350). Three Grey Herons were in the gutter and later the colour ringed Little Egret joined them. Two Merlins battled briefly on the West side as 3 Wigeon flew past the bank, a single Kestrel was noted and a Peregrine harassed the waders and Brents at the North End. The Brent flock remained and another colour ringed bird was observed, 6 Mute Swans (2 ad & 4 juv) flew across between the islands. Wader numbers were as follows; Knot 6000, Dunlin 600, Purple Sandpiper 4, Sanderling 120, Bar Tailed Godwit 11, Oystercatcher 5000 and Curlew 250. The tide produced a single Red Throated Diver, 6 Scoter, 1 Red Breasted Merganser, 2 Great Crested Grebe and a single Gannet. Three Harbour Porpoise swam North. Passerines included; 3 Pied Wagtail, 28 Meadow Pipit, 7 Skylark, 2 Rock Pipits, 13 Goldfinch, 1 Goldcrest and a male Blackcap. Eleven Crows were on the East Hoyle and the usual two around the islands.
Ringing:-1 Blackbird (right), 1 Robin (above), and 1 Blackcap
(DB,CJW) [946-46] photos CJW