29th October 2023

 Weather: ESE force 3

A before tide brief visit provided lovely sights as the sun rose.

 

 

The glorious dawn start didn’t disappoint with Blackbirds, Meadow Pipits and Starlings moving from first light. 

A single redpoll and Reed Bunting was noted and a flock of 60 Jackdaw over Little Eye alerted observers to the possibility of a raptor. Later on a Marsh Harrier was found west of Middle heading towards the Welsh coast and could possibly have been what had upset the crows and gulls earlier.

A single Goldcrest was ringed out of 2 present. On leaving the island 2 Kestrels chased a Peregrine which landed on the east Hoyle.

 

  Over 8000 Knot were feeding on the Tanskeys south of Little Eye.

Three Eiders early on comprised 2 immatures/females and a single adult male. Even in the short time available 2 Red-throated Divers, 800 Scoter, a Shag and a Guillemot were found, with waders on the shore including 56 Sanderling, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits and 80 Curlew.

Three Little Egrets were also on the shore.

Photos AEH, SRW