31st October 2019

Weather: SE  1-2 increasing 5-6 by mid-day, poor vis.

Another good day for Thrushes with 2 Fieldfare on Middle at first light, then as another observer approached Middle ahead of the tide a flock of 75 flew over. Also noted were 14 Redwing, a Song Thrush and 22 Blackbird (half of those being in the traps!).

There was very little passerine movement, the best being a total of 12 siskin. A Goldcrest was calling in the obs garden, 11 Meadow Pipit and a Rock Pipit were present, a single Greenfinch flew over and 2 Chaffinch called from the SK paddock.

There was a Short-eared Owl upon the island, a Raven landed on Middle and was dived bombed by a female Peregrine! Also seen were a Rook, a Magpie, a male Merlin and the Kestrel.

 There were 221 Brent Geese on the Whaleback, including 2 new ringed birds – details will follow.

Five Great Crested Grebe and 42 Common Scoter were on the sea along with 300 Cormorant around the island and banks.

Best of the waders were 130 Turnstone, 100 Dunlin, 2 Grey Plover and 87 Bar-tailed Godwit.

photos AS