2nd October 2023

 Weather: SW force 3, ESE 3 in the afternoon.

There was a small trickle of migrants during the morning with 55 Meadow Pipits counted, a Reed Bunting calling at the south end, 4 Skylark over and 13 Swallow moving south down the island (a few of these were seen coming off the sea at the North End). Also down on the island were 5 Goldcrests and 10 Goldfinch.

 

Present were a Chiffchaff, also 3 Wheatear at the north end, possibly the same birds noted on the previous visits.

 

The 5 Eider fed in the swell on the incoming tide.

 

Only 4 Gannet were noted today but a good count was made of 97 Guillemot.

 

Also on the sea were 15 Red-throated Diver and on the flat calm water after high tide an unexpected Manx Shearwater headed east passed the North End. A distant skua species flying north had to be left unidentified. Two 2 Common Tern and 10 Sandwich Tern fed on the east side after tide then later roosted by Middle Eye.

Some numbers of the waders present were 2,500 Dunlin, 198 Curlew, 60 Grey Plover, 50 Knot, 22 Bar-tailed Godwit and 1 Sanderling. The Kestrel was again present and a Peregrine flew down the west side.

There was a really good count again of 32 Little Egret. There was fresh evidence of a Fox being around.

Photos AS