A very bitty and fairly unexceptional month with little in the way of true vis mig and just a few bits to suggest that it was actually still autumn. A Spotted Flycatcher lingered till the 3rd and there were several brief Ring Ouzels and a handful of Redwings and Fieldfares but no large passage was noted. Single Firecrest, Garden Warbler, Redstarts, Reed Warbler, Whinchat and a very late Wheatear were seen and the first Rock (2nd) and Water Pipits (9th) were logged while a Red-throated Pipit flew over calling on the 3rd but was not seen. Two Tree Pipits were seen the same day with another on the 6th. There were a few good waders with Little Stint (5th) and Curlew Sandpipers on the 5th and two on the 18th-19th. A Woodcock (13th) was not unexpected but four Spotted Redshanks (8th) was an unusual addition to our wintering single. The following day our only Short-eared Owl was seen. Marsh Harriers were daily and a Honey Buzzard (16th) was the only raptor of note. On the Thames there were several Brent sightings along with a Guillemot (6th), two Barnacle Geese (10th), Scoter (11th and 13th), two Arctic Skuas (11th) and a single (30th), Kittiwake and four Little Gulls also on the 11th and a Slavonian Grebe on the 14th.
There were still many Migrant Hawkers and COmmon Darters on the wing as well as at least eight species of butterfly. Marsh Frogs lingered on top till mid-month and Stoats and Weasels showed more often. As for Seals?! Six Common Seals and Bob the Grey were seen regularly.
Wigeon (Russ Sherriff)
Howard Vaughan, Information Officer