22nd October 2023

 Weather: SW force 4 showers overnight then clear and sunny

 An early start before dawn produced a spectacular sky.

The obs will have been noticed from the mainland when the lights were on.

Venus shone brightly in the east and in the north west a camera shot of Jupiter enabled it's 4 largest moons to be seen.

A cool breeze was present this morning as the skies cleared and little was heard passing overhead until 7 Siskins came through. Then Meadow Pipits were moving, up to 200  were estimated and mid-morning a single Reed Bunting called over the obs as it circled around. Four Fieldfare were seen flying off towards the mainland, while 3 Song Thrush moved about the island bushes and a flock of 42 Linnets circled around the island. The only possible migrants in the gardens were some of the 3 Goldcrests here, although they are more likely to be the ones that have been here for some days, indeed one was ringed and none have been ringed here for days now. A Merlin was seen to be chasing a Meadow Pipit and was later flying off towards Wales. 

 

At the same time a Peregrine flew south off the west cliff and a Kestrel hovered over the top paddock. 

The Brent were counted at 113 birds this morning.

 

 Sixty Shelduck flew west, 

 

and 5 Pintail (including a male) also flew over the sea. 

 A Red-throated Diver flew rapidly west passed the north end.

 .... and later a Great Crested Grebe did the same. About 25 Common Scoter also flew into the wind. Low tide counts of waders seen included 40 Sanderling, 7 Bar-tailed Godwits and 80 Redshanks feeding in the gutter. Little Egrets were in short supply this morning with just 3 seen and 2 Grey Herons. About 100 Black-headed Gulls flew west passed the north end in medium sized groups.

 Just 3 Rock Pipits were seen about this morning.

Photos AEH