Thrush numbers were much lower today hence 35 Blackbirds, 18 Redwings, 7 Song Thrushes and singles of Mistle Thrush and Fieldfare.   Other birds of note were 54 Whooper Swans, 55 Brent Geese, 7 Pink-footed Geese, 15 Robins, 4 Tree Sparrows, Blackcap, 2 Goldcrests, Grey Wagtail, 5 Pied Wagtails, Lapland Bunting, Woodcock, 170 Lapwings, 18 Curlews, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits, 74 Oystercatchers, 18 Sanderlings, 25 Dunlin and a Common Buzzard.

      Some decent immigration of thrushes at last. 950 Blackbirds passed south along the dunes, but other newly-arrived thrushes headed SW inland often after brief stop-overs in the coastal bushes.   Totals seen were 850 Redwings, 170 Fieldfares and 80 Song Thrushes.   Other migrants included 900 Starlings, 25 Robins, 60 Meadow Pipits, 50 Chaffinches, 5 Bramblings, 2 Chiffchaffs, Blackcap, 3 Goldcrests, Stonechat, Woodcock and Lapland Bunting.   25 Long-tailed Tits and 9 Tree Sparrows were noted, plus 3 Sparrowhawks, Merlin and Peregrine.   54 Whooper Swans were on the fields and 15 more headed south along with 25 Pink-footed Geese.   A Pomarine Skua flew south close inshore.

      A walk round my garden in the afternoon added a further 60 Blackbirds, 15 Redwings, 11 Fieldfares, 6 Robins, 8 Long-tailed Tits and a Goldcrest.

      Whooper Swans were up to 54.   A few more thrushes apparent, hence 45 Blackbirds, 8 Song Thrushes, one Redwing and 15 Robins.   Also on the dunes were 6 Tree Sparrows, Grey Wagtail, Common Buzzard, 144 Lapwings, 450 Golden Plovers, 40 Meadow Pipits and 400 Starlings.   On the shore were 550 Oystercatchers, 16 Curlews, 40 Knot, 110 Sanderlings, 300 Dunlin, 25 Shelducks and 330 Brent Geese.

      The first Shore Lark of the autumn was on the beach at the south end with a Skylark, and eventually both birds flew along the shore towards Stonebridge.   50 Whooper Swans still on the coastal fields and 12 Pink-footed Geese flew NW.   On the dunes were 2 Common Buzzards, Water Rail, Kingfisher, 25 Blackbirds, 8 Redwings and 2 Goldcrests.   Single Gannets passed north and south at sea while onshore were 550 Oystercatchers, 23 Curlews, 5 Sanderlings, 12 Dunlin and 8 Shelducks.

                           Good numbers of young birds are in the Whooper Swan flocks this year.


      Ca. 50 Whooper Swans were on the coastal fields this morning.   The dunes were quiet again with 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Rock Pipits, Grey Wagtail, Blackcap, Tree Sparrow, Great Spotted Woodpecker and 12 Long-tailed Tits.   A Red-throated Diver and 6 Gannets flew north at sea while onshore were 38 Curlews, 6 Bar-tailed Godwits, 700 Oystercatchers, 40 Sanderlings, 30 Dunlin, a Cormorant, a Pink-footed Goose and 6 Brent Geese.

      33 Whooper Swans were on the fields at the south end.    Fewer birds were seen on the dunes, the best being 12 Long-tailed Tits, 5 Tree Sparrows, Goldcrest, 50 Meadow Pipits, 3 Sparrowhawks, Merlin, 24 Lapwings, Water Rail, 2 Tufted Ducks and 5 Little Egrets.   On the shore were 104 Curlews, 61 Oystercatchers, 50 Sanderlings and 350 Dunlin.

                                                                    Pink-footed Geese

                                                 38 Whooper Swans and 4 Mute Swans

      15 Whooper Swans on the fields were later joined by a further 23 Whoopers and 4 Mute Swans.   120 Pink-footed Geese flew south and 57 Canada Geese and a Greylag Goose flew across to Somercotes Warren.   Highlights on the dunes were 22 Blackbirds, a Mistle Thrush, 4 Song Thrushes, 3 Redwings, 15 Robins, 4 Goldcrests, Blackcap, 18 Chaffinches, 16 Yellowhammers, 18 Reed Buntings, Tree Sparrow and 20 Long-tailed Tits.    Birds onshore were 650 Oystercatchers, 500 Dunlin, 100 Sanderlings, 53 Curlews and 2 Rock Pipits.

                                                                          Redshank

                                                                           Whooper Swans

      The quiet theme continues.   Grounded migrants included 30 Blackbirds, 17 Redwings, 10 Robins, 5 Goldcrests, Brambling and 70 Meadow Pipits.   Other birds of note were 2 Corn Buntings, Tree Sparrow, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Sparrowhawk and Peregrine.    Waders were 190 Golden Plovers, 45 Lapwings, 31 Curlews, 3 Redshanks, 650 Oystercatchers, 50 Sanderlings and 350 Dunlin. 2 Whooper Swans loosely accompanying 18 Mute Swans.

      The main migrants this morning were 20 Blackbirds, 6 Robins and 22 Chaffinches.   Also seen were 2 Goldcrests, a Tree Sparrow, a Sparrowhawk and 3 Kestrels.   Two Whooper Swans present, with 18 Mute Swans, 20 Canada Geese, 75 Brent Geese, Tufted Duck, 60 Lapwings, 24 Golden Plovers, Ruff, 55 Curlews, 250 Dunlin and 66 Sanderlings.

      Fairly quiet this morning.   Main birds of note were 52 Mallard, 27 Curlews, 18 Sanderlings, 2 Gannets, 3 Sparrowhawks and 9 Grey Partridges.   Very few migrants seen, best being singles of Brambling, Lapland Bunting and Swallow.   3 Whooper Swans came in from the sea at 1250, landed on a field of lucerne and then later joined the Mute Swans on the flashes.

      The tail-end of hurricane "Gonzalo" caused few sightings of any interest.   50 Pink-footed Geese SW over the land and 25 Brent Geese south over the sea, otherwise only low numbers of the regular species seen.

      Rather quiet at the south end this morning.    11 Whooper Swans, 6 Shelducks  and 12 Pink-footed Geese flew south along the tide-line and a Woodlark was present on the outmarsh.   Migrants on the dunes were limited to 20 Robins, 10 Song Thrushes, 15 Blackbirds, 2 Redwings, Brambling, 3 Blackcaps, 5 Goldcrests and 60 Meadow Pipits.   Also seen were 19 Long-tailed Tits, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Water Rail, 10 Redshanks, 105 Lapwings, 50 Golden Plovers, 14 Curlews, 37 Mallard and 2 Tufted Ducks.

      610 Pink-footed Geese in 8 skeins flew south over the south end this morning and 345 Brent Geese flew south over the mudflats.   A Gannet flew north at sea and an Arctic Skua south while onshore were 130 Dunlin, 46 Sanderlings and 18 Curlews.    On the outmarsh were 2 Rock Pipits,  3 Twite, White Wagtail and a Wheatear.   Dunes quiet on account of the blustery wind.   Grounded migrants included 20 Blackbirds, 23 Redwings, 7 Song Thrushes, Blackcap, 8 Goldcrests and 2 Stonechats.   Common Buzzard and 3 Sparrowhawks seen, one of the latter coming in from the sea.   3 Crossbills flew south.

                                                                             Blackcap.

           
      The strong wind and light showers precluded meaningful counts of most species.   At the south end were 20 Goldcrests, 20 Robins, 10 Redwings, 4 Song Thrushes, Brambling, 2 Stonechats,  Blackcap and 80 Meadow Pipits.   Other birds included 17 Mute Swans, Tufted Duck, 11 Redshanks, 3 Little Egrets and 700 Starlings.

      Some late news for yesterday (16th).   A Yellow-browed Warbler was found by Andrew Chick at Pye's Hall.   He also recorded a further 40 Goldcrests, 3 Blackcaps, a Chiffchaff and a Swallow.

      Only 20 Goldcrests recorded at the south end this morning together with just 2 Chiffchaffs and 3 Blackcaps.   Thrushes were 170 Redwings, 12 Song Thrushes, 30 Blackbirds and a Ring Ouzel.   Other birds included 40 Robins, Stonechat, 2 Bramblings, Kingfisher, 2 Grey Wagtails, a singing Corn Bunting, 60 Meadow Pipits, 2 Sparrowhawks, Woodcock, 5 Common Snipe and 90 Pink-footed Geese.

      It was much quieter at the south end this morning.   Grounded migrants were 80 Goldcrests, 5 Blackcaps, 7 Chiffchaffs, 37 Redwings, 15 Blackbirds, 2 Ring Ouzels, 5 Song Thrushes, Mistle Thrush, 50 Robins, Stonechat, 60 Meadow Pipits and 4 Bramblings.   There were good counts of 50 Reed Buntings and 20 Yellowhammers, while 2 Corn Buntings were the first for over a month.   Also of note were 7 Whooper Swans which flew south, 12 Mute Swans, 25 Teal, 2 Common Snipe, 30 Lapwings, 220 Golden Plovers, 29 Curlews, 550 Oystercatchers, 76 Sanderlings and 150 Dunlin.

      Many migrants had moved on overnight.   There were still 2 Great Grey Shrikes, a Ring Ouzel and a Pallas's Warbler between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall and a second Ring Ouzel near the coastguard cottages.   A Grey Wagtail, Barn Owl, 12 Long-tailed Tits and Water Rail were seen at the south end and between here and Pye's Hall were 600 Goldcrests, 220 Robins, 21 Redwings, 12 Bramblings, 25 Blackcaps and 20 Chiffchaffs.

                                                           Great Grey Shrike

                                                           Great Grey Shrike

                                                                  Chiffchaff

      Good coverage produced some excellent results.   At the south end this morning were 160 Redwings, 20 Blackbirds, 15 Song Thrushes, Ring Ouzel, 60 Robins, 10 Blackcaps, 220 Goldcrests, 4 Chiffchaffs, acredula Willow Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler, Tree Pipit, 110 Meadow Pipits, 12 Bramblings, Great Grey Shrike, Long-eared Owl and 3 Short-eared Owls.

      Full day cover between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall saw the re-emergence of the Radde's Warbler and the Arctic Warbler, Pallas's Warbler, Barred Warbler, acredula Willow Warbler, 14 Chiffchaffs,  12 Blackcaps, an Acrocephalus warbler, 1,000 Goldcrests, 200 Robins, 100 Redwings, 3 Tree Pipits, 2 Wheatears, 15 Bramblings, 2 Woodcocks, at least one Great Grey Shrike, Short-eared Owl and 3 Long-eared Owls.

      There was no sign of the Arctic Warbler in the appalling conditions this morning and only a possible brief glimpse of the Radde's Warbler in the same patch of bushes as yesterday.   A probable Pallas's Warbler was seen by Roy and Linda Harvey.   Two Chiffchaffs, 8 Long-tailed Tits and 3 Bramblings were noted.

      The Arctic Warbler near Stonebridge showed very well through the day, but the Radde's Warbler which was found further along the dunes in the afternoon was a much more skulking affair.    2 Yellow-browed Warblers were also seen, but other grounded migrants were few, hence 2 Goldcrests, 5 Robins, 2 Song Thrushes, Wheatear and Brambling.   Some Twite were heard and 6 Long-tailed Tits seen.    Highlights of the Stonebridge to Pye's Hall WeBS count were 82 Curlews, 41 Redshanks, Greenshank, 720 Golden Plovers, 9 Bar-tailed Godwits, 630 Oystercatchers, Jack Snipe, 820 Brent Geese, one pale-bellied Brent Goose, 690 Pink-footed Geese which flew south in 9 skeins, 286 Shelducks, 800 Teal, Shoveler, 17 Little Egrets, 2 Sparrowhawks and a Marsh Harrier.

      The WebS count at Quad 3 produced 940 Oystercatchers, 87 Dunlin, 18 Sanderlings, 34 Curlews, 21 Lapwings, Common Snipe, 5 Redshanks, 3 Greenshanks, 11 Brent Geese, 3 Wigeon, 24 Shelducks, 16 Cormorants, 3 Red-throated Divers, 7 Gannets and 2 Sandwich Terns.   Other species relevant to the count included 160 Skylarks, 70 Meadow Pipits, 4 Rock Pipits, 50 Linnets, 2 Sparrowhawks, Kestrel and 2 Common Buzzards.

      Grounded migrants at the south end were 10 Song Thrushes, 6 Blackbirds, 7 Robins, 2 Stonechats, Whinchat, Yellow-browed Warbler, Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcaps, 10 Goldcrests, Tree Pipit and Brambling.  Singles of House Martin and Swallow flew south.

      An Arctic Warbler found at Stonebridge remained until dusk.  Also between here and Pye's Hall were 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, 15 Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tit, Grey Wagtail and 2 Stonechats.  A Raven was reported at Pye's Hall and 2 Bean Geese flew south.   1,300 Golden Plovers noted.
     

              Common Redstart with trace of a pale wing panel at Pye's Hall.

      Good numbers of wildfowl were present between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall and on the realignment area, hence 490 Brent Geese, 21 Pink-footed Geese, 240 Shelducks, 800 Teal, 40 Wigeon, 130 Mallard and a Pintail.   Waders included 800 Golden Plovers, 130 Lapwings, 27 Curlews, 50 Knot, 87 Redshanks and 6 Greenshanks.   Other highlights were 26 Little Egrets, 12 Cormorants, 7 Little Grebes, 4 Pied Wagtails, 2 Sparrowhawks, 40 Meadow Pipits, 12 Rock Pipits, 75 Goldfinches, Lesser Redpoll, 2 Goldcrests, Chiffchaff, Common Redstart and 3 Swallows.

      The strong winds resulted in fewer birds being seen in the bushes.   At the south end there were 3 Sparrowhawks, Common Buzzard, 10 Long-tailed Tits, Chiffchaff, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Water Rail, 80 Lapwings and a Lapland Bunting.   10 Gannets north at sea and 6 Common Scoters south while onshore were 200 Oystercatchers, 36 Sanderlings, 100 Dunlin and 4 Cormorants.

      On the realignment area, Barry Clarkson saw 200 Teal, 42 Wigeon, 60 Brent Geese, 28 Little Egrets and a Greenshank.   Between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall were 2 Swallows, 2 Stonechats, Chiffchaff, 6 Goldcrests, juvenile Hen Harrier, Marsh Harrier and 210 Golden Plover.   At sea were 40 Gannets, Long-tailed Skua, 11 Arctic Skuas, Little Gull, 70 Kittiwakes, 11 Red-throated Divers, Black-throated Diver and a Puffin.

            Slavonian Grebe at the Saltfleet end of the reserve this afternoon.


      The Firecrest was still in my garden this morning.   On the dunes were 3 Goldcrests, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Redstart, 15 Song Thrushes, 6 Mistle Thrushes, 12 Blackbirds, 12 Robins, 40 Meadow Pipits, 2 Grey Wagtails, Kingfisher, 130 Golden Plovers, 75 Lapwings and 2 Sparrowhawks.   40 Meadow Pipits and 100 Skylarks came in from the sea and on the mudflats were 350 Oystercatchers, 60 Dunlin, 23 Sanderlings and 37 Brent Geese.

      In the afternoon, there were 2 Stonechats, a Whinchat and Hen Harrier further south in the Howden's Pullover area, and at the Saltfleet limit of the reserve there was a Slavonian Grebe on one of the new ponds by the haven.

      A Willow Tit gradually moving south with Blue Tits was the first record for ten years.   Also on the southern dunes were 70 Meadow Pipits, 60 Linnets, Brambling, 2 Pied Wagtails, Stonechat, 5 Song Thrushes, 3 Robins, 55 Lapwings and a Water Rail.

      On the mudflats were 35 Oystercatchers, 50 Sanderlings, 230 Dunlin and 23 Curlews.   15 Brent Geese flew north at sea, while to the south were 50 Brent Geese, 16 Pink-footed Geese, 30 Wigeon and 50 Teal.   Other parties of duck passed south, but were not identifiable from the dunes.

      The Firecrest was still present in my garden.

      Strong winds and continuous rain resulted in hardly anything being recorded this morning.   Poor visibility meant seawatching from the dunes produced only a Gannet and a Cormorant, while on the mudflats were 148 Dunlin and 36 Sanderlings.   70 Lapwings and 60 Golden Plovers were on the coastal fields.   In the evening, there was a Firecrest in the front hedge of my garden.

      At the south end this morning there was southerly passage of 13 Common Buzzards, 7 Kestrels, Peregrine, 2 Sparrowhawks,19 Greenfinches, 3 Chaffinches, 45 Linnets, 21 Goldfinches, Pied Wagtail and 4 Grey Wagtails.   Also of note were 19 Common Snipe, Jack Snipe, 143 Lapwings, 40 Golden Plovers, 21 Curlews, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 140 Meadow Pipits, Rock Pipit, 45 Reed Buntings, 10 Long-tailed Tits and a Stonechat.

      Between the Ponderosa and the north end of the realignment area, Chris Atkin, Chris Heaton and Mark Johnson recorded a Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Goldcrests, 2 Stonechats, Wheatear, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Kingfisher, 4 Common Buzzards, Peregrine, 3 Merlins, Goosander and 3 Greenshanks.

      Not much was seen before the onset of heavy rain at 1020.   Best were 5 Swallows, Goldcrest, Song Thrush, 2 Robins, 60 Meadow Pipits, 120 Linnets, Green Sandpiper, 150 Golden Plovers, 54 Lapwings, 35 Oystercatchers and 5 Gannets.

                                                                          Stonechat


      A walk from Stonebridge to Pye's Hall and around the realignment area produced the  following observations.   Waders were 550 Golden Plovers, 5 Lapwings, 230 Oystercatchers, 37 Curlews, Bar-tailed Godwit, 150 Dunlin, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Little Stints, 29 Redshanks and 3 Greenshanks.   Wildfowl included 70 Brent Geese, 46 Shelducks, 180 Teal, 6 Wigeon, Tufted Duck and 26 Mallard.   An adult Yellow-legged Gull was on the mudflats and a Gannet passed south at sea.

      A juvenile Hen Harrier quartering the realignment marshes was my first record for this autumn and a Common Buzzard drifted south.   Also of interest were 3 Kestrels, 16 Little Egrets, 9 Little Grebes, 6 Cormorants, Mistle Thrush, 35 Reed Buntings, 80 Goldfinches, 90 Meadow Pipits, 4 Rock Pipits, Grey Wagtail, 3 Pied Wagtails, Wheatear, Stonechat, Swallow, Goldcrest and 10 Long-tailed Tits.

      Glorious weather, but rather quiet.   Best birds at the south end were 3 Goldcrests, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Whinchat, 5 Robins, 75 Meadow Pipits, 5 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Swallows, 7 Little Egrets, 50 Lapwings, 60 Golden Plovers, 44 Curlews, 85 Oystercatchers, 9 Dunlin and 20 Sanderlings.

      Between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall, Barry Clarkson recorded a Coal Tit, Woodlark, 48+ Reed Buntings, Brambling, 50 Goldfinches, Willow Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Peregrine, Merlin, Marsh Harrier and 3 Greenshanks.   102 Pink-footed Geese flew south.

      The change in the wind ensured a quiet start to the new month.   Grounded migrants included 12 Robins, 3 Song Thrushes, 45 Meadow Pipits, 2 Whinchats and 2 Wheatears.   Other birds of interest were 9 Swallows, Grey Wagtail, Water Rail, 9 Grey Partridges, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, 33 Curlews, 80 Oystercatchers, 60 Sanderlings, 46 Lapwings, 70 Golden Plovers, Common Sandpiper, 3 Little Stints, Mediterranean Gull and 3 Common Scoters.