26th September 2023

 Weather: ESE force 4, SW 6 by late afternoon

Three Chiffchaffs were in the gardens this morning, one showed particularly well to our camera wielding  members.

A Wheatear seen early on  was recognised as a different individual from the 2 photographed later.

Four Goldcrest were also on the ground and a Skylark visited the north end. Late in the afternoon a surprise male Blackcap dropped in to the obs garden just as members were leaving. Thirty Pink-footed Geese flew into the estuary on the ebb tide and a redhead Goosander was found before 5 Pintail were seen in flight moving south west.

 A few sea birds were in view today including 12 Gannets, 60 Common Scoter, a Guillemot and 3 Great Crested Grebes, one in summer plumage.

For a change Peregrines outnumbered Kestrels (2 to 1) and 2 Ravens also visited the islands.

Plovers were in good numbers with 300 Ringed Plover and 120 Grey Plover also 5 Bar-tailed Godwits. Still on the shore are 18 Little Egrets,  Brent Geese are at 60 individuals now while Shelduck numbered 192. The 2 female Eiders continue their stay with the male.

 Photos AS, SRW