Between Ruth Barnes and myself we have been keeping tabs on early morning Woodpigeon passage through our area and this morning was spectacular first thing from about first light through to about 930ish. All were heading south purposefully at varying heights.
Our totals for the week so far on a line between Chafford Hundred and the visitors centre end of the reserve were as follows...
3-11-13 : 3,200
4-11-13 : 520
5-11-11 : 5,832
6-11-13 : 52,300
7-11-13 : 9,746
8-11-13 : 27,000........
All these birds will have been piling in from the continent before heading south through the UK... many will then leave again through exit points along the south coast such as Portland Bill where they will head off to France for the winter.
I wonder how many we shall see in the morning? I shal be in early if you fancy a wander around from about 0800.
(Basil Thornton)
8-11-13
Howard Vaughan, Information Officer