7 Whooper Swans from the north came in and joined the 42 birds already present on the fields.   160 Pink-footed Geese flew south.   Also seen were 12 Mute Swans, 120 Teal, 20 Redshanks, 46 Lapwings, 102 Curlews, 60 Sanderlings, Red-throated Diver, 40 Snow Buntings, 3 Lapland Buntings, Goldcrest, 5 Song Thrushes, Sparrowhawk, 2 Common Buzzards and 2 Little Egrets.

      Very little change from yesterday.    The best birds were 42 Whooper Swans, 16 Mute Swans, Peregrine, Merlin, Woodcock, 2 Water Rails, 25 Blackbirds, 5 Bar-tailed Godwits, 112 Curlews, 14 Sanderlings, 20 Dunlin and 2 Red-throated Divers.

                                    The seal colony now extends south beyond Quad 3.

      Highlights today were 42 Whooper Swans, 17 Mute Swans, 60 Teal, 2 Sparrowhawks, Common Buzzard, Kestrel, Little Egret, Woodcock, 20 Blackbirds, Goldcrest and Stonechat.    80 Pink-footed Geese flew south.

      Late reports from the seal colony for yesterday included 80 Snow Buntings, 25 Twite, 130 Shelducks, 500 Brent Geese, 110 Lapwings, 35 Redshanks, 15 Turnstones and a Peregrine.


      At Quad 3 today were 43 Whooper Swans, 17 Mute Swans, 57 Teal, 102 Curlews, 24 Lapwings, Common Buzzard, 30 Blackbirds, 45 Meadow Pipits and 2 Tree Sparrows.

      Only a short visit in the continuous rain this morning.    46 Whooper Swans, 100 Curlews and 300 Lapwings on the fields were the main birds of note.

      Whooper Swans had increased to 59 on the fields.   One adult is carrying a yellow darvic ring, but I was unable to read it owing to distance and the dense growth of the crop.   Also on the fields were 305 Lapwings, 117 Curlews, 80 Meadow Pipits and a Common Buzzard.   40 Pink-footed Geese flew south.   35 Blackbirds and 6 Robins on the dunes, but only singles of Redwing and Fieldfare seen.   A Stonechat was still present, plus 2 Goldcrests, a Corn Bunting, Kingfisher, 2 Collared Doves, 2 Grey Herons and 3 Little Egrets.   On the mudflats were 28 Sanderlings, 20 Dunlin, 13 Redshanks and 10 Oystercatchers.

      Ca. 408 Pink-footed Geese south in five skeins during the morning.   Also 2 Lapland Buntings north over the beach and 3 Gannets north at sea.    35 Whooper Swans on the southern fields, and 11 more reported by Andrew Chick on the realignment area in the early afternoon.

      Other items of note were 146 Lapwings, 17 Golden Plovers, 104 Curlews, 50 Dunlin, 130 Sanderlings, 55 Teal, Merlin, Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrels, Stonechat, 30 Blackbirds and 2 Mistle Thrushes.

      Poor visibility hampered observations.    A seawatch over the low tide period (1045-1130) saw southerly passage of 125 Wigeon, 110 Teal, 10 Common Scoters, 2 Velvet Scoters and a Red-breasted Merganser.    A Guillemot and a Cormorant were on the sea, while onshore were 12 Brent Geese, 4 Rock Pipits, 10 Bar-tailed Godwits and a mere handful of other waders.    34 Whooper Swans, 17 Mute Swans and 106 Curlews were on the fields.

      50 Blackbirds were recorded at the south end this morning, but hardly any other thrushes noted.   Other species present included 3 Goldcrests, Blackcap,, Tree Sparrow, 4 Twite, 4 Siskins, Stonechat, Peregrine, Common Buzzard, exactly 100 Curlews, 35 Golden Plovers, 33 Whooper Swans, 250 Brent Geese and 6 Eiders.

      A juvenile Swallow flew south at 1105.    It had also been seen at Stonebridge by several observers a few minutes earlier.   Few changes were apparent.   Still 33 Whooper Swans and 18 Mute Swans, also 18 Mallard, 9 Teal, 4 Grey Partridges, Common Buzzard and 2 Merlins.   On the sea-bank by the flashes were 45 Meadow Pipits, 40 Reed Buntings, 8 Yellowhammers, 50 Skylarks, 35 Linnets and 50 Goldfinches.    A further 60 Goldfinches on the outmarsh with 42 Snow Buntings, 17 Turnstones, 20 Sanderlings, 40 Dunlin, 160 Lapwings, 16 Curlews and 35 Shelducks.

                                                                     Common Buzzard.


      The continuing easterly wind is not bringing many new arrivals.   Thrushes at the south end were confined to 25 Blackbirds, 4 Song Thrushes, 2 Redwings and 7 Fieldfares.   Other passerines of interest were 15 Robins, 6 Goldcrests, Chiffchaff, 4 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Tree Sparrows, Stonechat, 2 Grey Wagtails, 8 Snow Buntings, 2 Lapland Buntings and 40 Meadow Pipits.   Also recorded were 33 Whooper Swans, 102 Curlews, 250 Golden Plovers, 120 Sanderlings, 40 Dunlin, 3 Red-throated Divers, 2 Sparrowhawks and 2 Common Buzzards.

      On the coastal fields at the south end were 34 Whooper Swans, Common Buzzard, 41 Curlews, Mistle Thrush and 2 Lapland Buntings.   On the dunes were 30 Blackbirds, Redwing, Fieldfare, 10 Robins, 55 Reed Buntings, 11 Yellowhammers, 50 Meadow Pipits, 8 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Siskins, Goldcrest, Woodcock, 20 Mute Swans, 29 Mallard, 40 Teal and 12 Redshanks.  3 Cormorants on the shore, while birds on the outmarsh were 250 Brent Geese, 40 Linnets, 70 Goldfinches, 10 Snow Buntings and 2 Rock Pipits.

      Highlights at the south end this morning were 33 Whooper Swans, 16 Mute Swans, 55 Brent Geese, 2 Common Scoters, 105 Curlews, Ring Ouzel, 40 Goldfinches and a Kingfisher.

                                                                             Roe Deer.

                                                              Record shot of Ring Ouzel.


      A few grounded migrants were evident as the fog began to clear.   90 Meadow Pipits was a good count for so late in the autumn.   30 Blackbirds, a Ring Ouzel and 20 Robins were recorded, but the only other thrushes were 2 Redwings and 3 Song Thrushes.   Also present in the dunes were 3 Goldcrests, a Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaffs, Stonechat, 30 Reed Buntings and 2 Sparrowhawks.    33 Whooper Swans, 19 Mute Swans and 104 Curlews on the fields, while on the flashes were 39 Mallard, a  Gadwall, 6 Redshanks, 3 Cormorants, 2 Little Egrets and a Grey Heron.   18 Snow Buntings were on the beach and 7 grey geese flew NW.

         Only a short visit to the south end this morning ahead of the heavy rain which began at 1000.   The usual 33 Whooper Swans and 19 Mute Swans were present on the fields.   Other birds of note included 80 Curlews, 4 Cormorants, 2 Little Egrets, 20 Blackbirds, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Snow Bunting.

      Rather quiet.   33 Whooper Swans, 19 Mute Swans, 100 Brent Geese, 32 Teal, 78 Curlews, 30 Golden Plovers and 14 Redshanks recorded at the south end.

      Birds around the seal colony at Stonebridge included 500 Brent Geese, 250 Shelducks, 80 Sanderlings, 50 Dunlin, 200 Lapwings, 2 Turnstones, 50 Redshanks and 60 Goldfinches.

      33 Whooper Swans and 19 Mute Swans on the fields at the south end.

                                                                   A desolate aspect.

                                                                            Cormorant          


      Observations were limited, due to the very blustery wind.   33 Whooper Swans were on the fields, but there was no sign of the Bean Geese.   20 Mute Swans, 4 Little Egrets, 28 Teal and 2 Peregrines seen, while onshore were 1,200 Dunlin, 50 Sanderlings and 70 Brent Geese.

      150 Blackbirds present at the south end this morning, and about 30 of these were seen to depart SW inland.   Hardly any other thrushes were recorded, though.   Also in the bushes were 5 Goldcrests, a Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcaps, 10 Robins and 20 Chaffinches.   On the fields were 36 Whooper Swans, 19 Mute Swans, 2 Taiga Bean Geese, 90 Brent Geese and 51 Curlews.   6 Snow Buntings were on the beach and 300 Oystercatchers, 450 Dunlin and 30 Sanderlings on the shore.

      At the south end in the late afternoon, Chris Atkin added a juvenile Marsh Harrier, 2 Corn Buntings, 5 Lapland Buntings and 2 Stonechats.

      The WeBS count between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall produced 1,100 Oystercatchers, 1,200 Golden Plovers, 110 Grey Plovers, 370 Knot, 340  Dunlin, 21 Sanderlings, 96 Redshanks, 43 Curlews, 180 Lapwings, 320 Brent Geese, one pale-bellied Brent Goose, 127 Pink-footed Geese, 157 Shelducks, 106 Mallard, 57 Teal, 2 Eiders, 16 Little Egrets, 12 Cormorants, Gannet, 650 Starlings, 6 Rock Pipits, 50 Goldfinches and 50 Reed Buntings.
     
      At Quad 3 in the afternoon, there were 36 Whooper Swans, 18 Mute Swans, 2 Taiga Bean Geese, 35 Curlews, 50 Meadow Pipits, 30 Reed Buntings and a Peregrine.

      The two Taiga Bean Geese were relocated on the field with the Whooper Swans which had increased to 68 and included 23 juveniles.   On other fields were 1,300 Starlings, 46 Brent Geese and 88 Curlews.   19 Mute Swans, 30 Teal and a Water Rail were on the flashes.  A Shore Lark flew south along the beach with Skylarks, but the only other birds of note were 520 Golden Plovers, 30 Blackbirds and 55 Reed Buntings.

      The full circuit of the realignment area for the WeBS count proved to be interesting.   Waders here and on the foreshore were 300 Oystercatchers, 30 Grey Plovers, 87 Curlews, 57 Redshanks, Greenshank, 250 Dunlin, 20 Golden Plovers and 43 Lapwings.   Wildfowl were 710 Brent Geese, one pale-bellied Brent Goose, 248 Shelducks, 42 Mallard, 380 Teal, Goosander and 10 Whooper Swans.   Also relevant were 13 Cormorants, Little Grebe, 7 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 25 Meadow Pipits, 50 Rock Pipits, a Lapland Bunting, 60 Reed Buntings, 25 Yellowhammers, 770 Starlings, 30 Blackbirds, 6 Fieldfares, 4 Redwings, Mistle Thrush and 30 Chaffinches.

      A brief look at Quad 3 in the afternoon added 36 Whooper Swans, 16 Mute Swans, 500 Starlings, 70 Blackbirds, 10 Redwings and a Ring Ouzel.

                                                                           Redwing

     
      A small fall of thrushes was apparent and most eventually left to the SW.   170 Blackbirds were recorded with 20 Fieldfares, 21 Redwings, 5 Song Thrushes, Mistle Thrush and Ring Ouzel.   10 Robins and 25 Chaffinches noted, also 4 Tree Sparrows, 6 Long-tailed Tits, Lapland Bunting and Water Rail.  15 Bar-tailed Godwits on the shore, while on the fields were 36 Whooper Swans, 16 Mute Swans, 16 Lapwings, 15 Golden Plovers, 40 Curlews and a Common Buzzard.

      Whooper Swans continued to decrease with 40, including 14 juveniles, present on  the fields with the 2 Taiga Bean Geese.   Also on the land-side were 2 Common Buzzards, Peregrine, Short-eared Owl, 147 Lapwings, 50 Golden Plovers, 190 Dunlin, 25 Curlews, 12 Shelducks, 145 Brent Geese, 5 Little Egrets and 110 Goldfinches.

      A seawatch 1005-1105 could only be made from the dunes and thus under-recorded some species.   Moving north were 2 Little Auks, 2 Little Gulls, 2 Gannets  and 5 Eiders.   To the south were 16 Gannets, 3 Fulmars, 5 Arctic Skuas, 2 Great Skuas, Pomarine Skua, 6 skuas sp., 5 auks sp., 57 Kittiwakes, 4 Common Scoters, Eider, Teal and 3 Red-throated Divers.

      Two skeins of Pink-footed Geese passed south unseen above the dense fog that lasted until late morning.   Three later skeins in clearer conditions totalled ca. 250 birds.   The 2 Taiga Bean Geese were still present on the same field as yesterday, but the Whooper Swans had decreased to 55.    Other birds recorded included a Common Buzzard, Merlin, 25 Blackbirds, 4 Song Thrushes, 10 Robins, Blackcap, Goldcrest, Stonechat, 14 Brent Geese, 40 Lapwings, 26 Golden Plovers, 7 Redshanks and 41 Curlews.

      Record shot of distant Taiga Bean Geese

        

                                                                    Common Buzzard


      In the early morning there were 99 Whooper Swans on an oil-seed rape field at the south end and these were joined by a party of 23 in from the north at 1100, 2 more at 1105 and another group of 8 at 1155 to give a total of 132 birds.   33 of these were juveniles.   This surpasses the previous record total of 114 birds on 24th October last year.   Two Taiga Bean Geese were also present on the same field.    Other wildfowl today included 58 Pink-footed Geese south, 20 Mute Swans, 820 Brent Geese on the shore and fields and 15 Common Scoters south at sea.   Also of note were 7 Twite, 2 Chiffchaffs, 80 Meadow Pipits, 8 Rock Pipits and a Bullfinch.

      Driving rain this morning restricted counts of most species.   90 Whooper Swans and 22 Mute Swans each represented slight increases and the Bullfinch was still present.

                                                                            Kestrel

      84 Whooper Swans were on the fields at the south end with 19 Mute Swans and 9 Pink-footed Geese.   A further 58 Pinkfeet flew high to the south.   Little of note in the dunes, although a Bullfinch was the first for the autumn.   Also present were 11 Blackbirds, Redwing, 7 Robins, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1,400 Golden Plovers, 65 Lapwings, 21 Curlews, 14 Redshanks, 25 Sanderlings, 180 Dunlin, 56 Brent Geese and 3 Rock Pipits.
      A Ring Ouzel was in my garden in the early afternoon.