October 2010
56 species so far this monthGreat Crested Grebe
Cormorant
Shag
Little Egret
Grey Heron
Dark-bellied Brent Goose
Red-breasted Merganser
Buzzard
Sparrowhawk
Kestrel
Hobby
Black-headed Gull
Mediterranean Gull >
Common Gull
Herring Gull >
Great Black-backed Gull
Arctic Tern
Razorbill
Wood Pigeon
Collared Dove
Short-eared Owl
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Skylark
Swallow
House Martin
Meadow Pipit
Rock Pipit
Grey Wagtail
Pied Wagtail
Wren
Dunnock >
Robin
Wheatear
Blackbird
Song Thrush
Redwing
Blackcap
Chiffchaff
Goldcrest
Long-tailed Tit
Coal Tit
Blue Tit >
Great Tit
Treecreeper
Magpie
Jackdaw >
Rook
Carrion Crow
Starling
House Sparrow >
Chaffinch >
Greenfinch
Goldfinch >
Siskin
Linnet
Reed Bunting
October 29th
Another Short-eared Owl today, this time high over Sandsfoot Castle. Offshore were the first Great-crested Grebes and first Mergansers of the autumn whilst a late Swallow headed south. The fresh south-westerly wind encouraged a bit of a gull movement through the harbour with 50 Med Gulls and 8 Common Gulls heading into the wind. Nearby at Newton's Cove were another 30 Med Gulls including one bearing the ring Green-384 which I think is a Belgian bird. More later when I hear from them.
October 10th
Another productive day of easterlies, the highlight being a fine Short-eared Owl flying over Downclose - at times below rooftop level! Also a Great Spotted Woodpecker there and a Reed Bunting nearby. The first Redwings of the autumn were heard last night.
October 9th
Easterly gales brought in a 'fall' of Chiffchaffs this morning with 20 or more in the trees at Marsh Road. Highlight was a Hobby dashing across the harbour heading north and a very smart first-year Mediterranean Gull both at Downclose. All morning Pied Wagtails were streaming overhead accompanied by Meadow Pipits and a few Swallows and Linnets.
October 3rd
In very wet and windy weather the Arctic Tern that turned up at Smallmouth was not entirely unexpected, but I had hoped for a skua or phalarope.
October 2nd
The second wave of the autumn migration got underway today with a number of species moving south along the trail including Swallow, Chaffinch, Meadow Pipit, Skylark and Siskin. The first Brent Geese of the autumn were seen arriving from the east and a Razorbill was an early winter visitor off Sandsfoot.