MON 31 OCT A fine sunny morning , wind increased to Ef4/5 by late morning . A very interesting day to end the month . Started with an hours viz mig watch from my house , 31 species recorded - 95 STARLING, 230 WOOD PIGEON ( largest flock 120 ) 45 CHAFFINCH, 13 SKYLARK, 20 REDWING , 1 FIELDFARE. On the roof of the flats by the carpark a bird that I initially thought was a BLACK REDSTART , a more thorough sighting showed it to be a juv REDSTART - I have never seen a REDSTART on the roof of a building and never had one this late. Roger Blackway will be forwarding a photo later . A SWALLOW flew east , also 25 MIPIT, 12 SKYLARK . On South Huish Marsh - 50 TEAL and a shed load of CANADA GOOSE .1 SNIPE An hours seawatch from 11.00 was fruitful - 30 GANNET, 12 WIGEON , 6 COMMON SCOTER and at 11.25 4 EIDER ( 192 ) flew east - 2 F and 2 imm Male On the rocks - 6 RINGED PLOVER, 1 DUNLIN, 1ad MED GULL REDSTART 30 Oct 2016 photo by Roger Blackway SUN 30 OCT I try to do 2or 3 viz mig watches each week from my balcony or behind the Church . This morning out on the balcony for 07.40 .cloudy but no wind . In 50 mins I recorded 36 species including a year tick - at 08.17 picked up 6 birds that landed in the top of a row of Sycamore Trees  near the Hotel- through a scope 6 lovely CROSSBILL ( 191 ) both male and female. Not an annual specie on the patch and a first garden tick . Other interesting species recorded - 1 MISTLE THRUSH, 4 JAY, 2 GOLDCREST, 4 CHIFFY, 10 CHAFFINCH, 1 WATER RAIL, 2 GREY WAGTAIL, 40 STARLING. Joined up with Graham at 09.00 ( Bob and Chris came at 10.15 ) In the Bay an adult GREAT N DIVER ( still in partial summer plumage ), on the sea 2 WIGEON, 2 TEAL, 20 + GANNET. On the rocks - 3 RINGED PLOVER, 7 OYSTERCATCHER, 2ad MED GULL On South Huish marsh - 38 TEAL, 7 WIGEON, 550 + CANADA GOOSE, 1 LITTLE GREBE, 1 WATER RAIL, 4 SNIPE , 1ad 1 2w MED GULL SAT 29 OCT A cloudy but mild mornimg with little breeze. Visit to South Huish Marsh only produced - 42 TEAL, 8 MALLARD, 1 SNIPE, 3 CHIFFY, 10 LONG T TIT, 2 GOLDCREST, 4 STONECHAT, 1 GREY WAGTAIL At South Efford Marsh Eric reports - 3 REDSHANK, 2 GREENSHANK, 1 BLACK T GODWIT, 19 SNIPE, 150+ TEAL, 3 STONECHAT FRI 28 OCT Visit to the Hayle Est with Eric and Graham to try to see the Franklins Gull - unfortunately it decided not to put in an appearance for us  ( has been seen on Sat ! ) Then went looking for the HUDSONIAN Whimbrel on the coast - only one we found in Boat Cove  had to have a white rump in flight ! Consolation in the form of great views of SPOONBILL, WIGEON, Teal and 14 species of Wader Alan Pomroy was ringing at the sewage works - second bird in the net was another YELLOW BROWED WARBLER ( 8th patch record this month )19 CHIFFY, 1 BLACKCAP, 5 GOLDCREST. Also 5 REDWING and a MISTLE THRUSH on site THURS 27 OCT Only news for today was a ringing session by Roger & Helen- 8 CHIFFY , 3 BLACKCAP, % BLACKBIRD, 5 ROBIN, 2 GOLDCREST Earlier thie week when ginging at a site on Dartmoor they controlled a GOLDCREST with a Danish ring. WED 26 OCT A stunning sunrise which quickly turned into a 100% cloud cover., light winds turning SW . Started with a viz mig watch from the back of the Church at 08.00 - 09.30 , fairly quiet - 65 CHAFFINCH, 13 SISKIN, 12 GOLDFINCH, 35 SKYLARK, 16 MIPIT,16 LINNET,5 RAVEN, 13 BLACKBIRD , 1 SONG THRUSH, 3 STONECHAT 1 TEAL, 9 MALLARD, On South Huish marsh - 57 TEAL, 1 SNIPE, 2 GREY WAGTAIL, 25 PIED WAGTAIL, 40 MIPIT, 1 CHIFFY . At 12.15 a juv BLACK REDSTART on roof of my house .. Alan Pomroy was ringing this morning at the sewage works - 1 SONG THRUSH. , 4 BLACKBIRD, 13 CHIFFY, 1 BLACKCAP, 4 REED BUNTING, 1 GOLDCREST, 3 GOLDFINCH, also on site - 3 WATER RAIL, 1 SNIPE, 3 SISKIN, 2 BULLFINCH and 20 SKYLARK ( over ) TUES 25 OCT Late news for Mon - Alan had a YELLOW BROWED WARBLER in his garden at South Milton Village , this is the 7th record this month .Photo to be added . Did an hours Garden watch from 07.30 this morning - wasnt light until 07.45 ! . 32 Species inc a patch year tick a BRAMBLING (190)  flew east at 08.05. 6 CHAFFINCH, 1 BULLFINCH, 1 JAY, 2 CHIFFY, 6 LONG T TIT, 1m CIRL BUNTING. At least 200 BLACK H GULL at first light . 1 REDWING . At 16.00 on my roof a juv BLACK REDSTART. On the pools 35 MALLARD and 6 TEAL, 2 HERON   In the Bay  the juv GREAT N DIVER again . On South Huish Marsh - 70+ TEAL, 40 MALLARD, 8 WIGEON, 2 L. GREBE, 10 SNIPE, 2 GREY WAG, 1 SONG THRUSH . In the Rock Flats gardens 2 juv BLACK REDSTART,.( Bob also had 1 in Kingsbridge ) At South Efford Marsh Eric this afternoon reported - 250+ TEAL, 9 WIGEON, 2 WATER RAIL, 3 GREENSHANK, 35 CURLEW , 2 LAPWING, 1 KINGFISHER, 6 CHIFFY , 1 FIRECREST . Still a YELLOW BROWED WARBLER in a village garden MON 24 OCT The only good thing to come out of all the heavy rain is there are now pools on Thurlestone Marsh . , one in particular this afternoon had 32 MALLARD on it ! Went over to South Huish Marsh at 09.30 ( access road from South Milton was flooded ), 30 MALLARD , 15 TEAL, 2 LITTLE GREBE, 2 DUNLIN , 6 SNIPE and the first JACK SNIPE of the autumn ( watched it bobbing as it fed ) Late morning had to go over to Didworthy Park ( Dave Pake territory ) in the gardens had 3 GOLDCREST, 1 FIRECREST, 2 COAL TIT, 2 NUTHATCH 1 f BULLFINCH and 1 CHIFFY, 1 GREAT SP WOODY. This afternoon Eric had a very nice male BLACK REDSTART in his garden ( first patch record this autumn ) SUN 23 OCT A first taste of autumn weather today - cloud, showers and an increasing E wind reaching F7 by lunchtime Joined by Graham, Bob and Chris today. Offshore - 100+ GANNET, 1 GREAT N DIVER on the sea , another flew east @ 12.30. 3 PINTAIL and 17 WIGEON apart from 1 on the sea all flew east , A LAPWING and CURLEW flew in off the sea, 2 PEREGRINE . 4 SWALLOW, . 30 CHAFFINCH - north On South Huish Marsh - 30 TEAL, 3 SNIPE , 1 WIGEON, 2 LITTLE EGRET SAT 22 OCT First late news from yesterday- Alan ,Roger & Helen were ringing at the Sewage works - their totals - 64 PIED & 4 WHITE WAGTAIL, 2 STARLING, 5 REED BUNTING, 11 CHIFFY, 1 BLACKCAP, 1 KINGFISHER , 2 GOLDCREST and what is probably our latest patch record for a WILLOW WARBLER. A BARN OWL also on site . This morning i only had time for a viz mig watch from my garden - 07.45- 09.00 32 species recorded , highlights were - 67 CHAFFINCH ( all going east ), 30 GOLDFINCH, 10 PIED WAGS , only 1 SKYLARK, around 13 flocks of WOOD PIGEON all flying south totalled 540 plus 1 STOCK DOVE. 1 GREAT SP WOODY high south , 9 MIPIT, 1 REED BUNTING. Thrushes were - 8 BLACKCAP, 5 REDWING , 4 FIELDFARE ( together - north )1 MISTLE THRUSH - east , 1 SONG THRUSH east , 1 CHIFFCHAFF . Fri 21 OCT Decided to do a morning viz mig watch at my high ground site behind the Church , on site from 07.55 until 10.25.After a quiet start probably due to clear skies , very light breeze it turned out good . 41 species logged( this includes birds on site as well as migrants ) 100 SKYLARK, 25 MIPIT, 16 CHAFFINCH, 16 PIED WAG, 4 SISKIN, 1 GREENFINCH, 21 GOLDFINCH, 3 STONECHAT, 2 CHIFFY, 20 LINNET, 1 REDPOLL, 2 BULLFINCH, 2 CIRL BUNTING, 5 ROBIN, 8 STOCK DOVE, 205 WOOD PIGEON ( 3 high flying flocks of 30.,25, 150 - all south ) 1 LITTLE EGRET, 1 GOLDEN PLOVER, 4 SWALLOW, 1 BUZZARD and 1 SPARROWHAWK ( both flying high south ) , 33 STARLING, and the first FIELDFARE of the autumn ( flying N at 10.15 ) also 4 BLACKBIRD .   THURS 20 OCT A clear morning with plenty of sunshine only a light N wind . An hours viz mig watch from my garden at 07.35 produced 28 species inc - 1 MISTLE THRUSH, 1 SONG THRUSH, 1 GREEN WOODY, 1 SISKIN, 11 CHAFFINCH, 1 REED BUNTING,2 CIRL BUNTING, 9 PIED WAG, 11 SKYLARK., 1 CHIFFY On the Ley by the footbridge - a male TUFTED DUCK.1 SISKIN., 1 REED BUNTING, 1 WATER RAIL, 3 STONECHAT . On South Huish Marsh - 20 TEAL, 3 WIGEON, 2 LITTLE GREBE, 2 GREY WAG, 6 SNIPE, 1 DUNLIN, 1 WHEATEAR. Offshore only 5 GANNET until 12.10 when a feeding flock of 150+ picked up. 15 COMMON SCOTER flew east,. At 12.00 picked up a small Auk flying into the Bay from east , landed on the sea - a PUFFIN ( my first autumn record )  At Aveton Gifford Eric reported a YELLOW BROWED WARBLER calling several times near his garden  YELLOW BROWED WARBLER at South Milton Ley 19 Oct WED 19 OCT Managed to get out this morning, overcast with a light NW wind . Offshore a few GANNET and 4 COMMON SCOTER flew west. On the rocks 8 RINGED PLOVER, 2 DUNLIN , 2 TURNSTONE, a PEREGRINE flew through Some viz mig - 50+ MIPIT, 15 ALBA WAGTAIL, 42 GOLDFINCH, 5 SKYLARK and 30 LINNET. On South Huish marsh - 580 CANADA GOOSE, 15 TEAL, 3 WIGEON, 1 KINGFISHER , 1 GREY WAGTAIL. At 12.30 2 LAPWING flew in but had to move on up the valley as the Canada's had taken all the space .   An interesting ringing session this morning with Roger Helen and Alan - Another YELLOW BROWED WARBLER, 9 CHIFFY, 5 GOLDCREST, 6 SONG THRUSH, 1 BULLFINCH and a GREAT SP WOODY . Also on site 2 year ticks - 1 RING OUZEL (188) and a LITTLE OWL ( 189 ) both of these are scarce and not even annual  On 14 OCT Alan ringed 26 CHIFFY, 3 CETTIS WARBLER. On SUN 16 OCT Eric had in his village gardens 2 YELLOW BROWED WARBLER, 1 FIRECREST whilst Rod Bone on the north marsh had an OSPREY and a GREEN SANDPIPER TUES 18 OCT Went for a walk through the avenue of trees behind the hotel managed to find - 20+ AZURE WINGED MAGPIE, 8 SARDINIAN WARBLER, 2 CHIFFY, 1 SEDGE WARBLER ( 102 ), 5 WAXBILL, 2 HOOPOE, 8 ROBIN and 30+ SPOTLESS STARLING . MON 17 OCT  Last day with the car -  Around the Hotel - 5 WAXBILL, 1 Sardinian warbler, 2 SERIN, 12 AZURE WINGED MAGPIE, 1 LITTLE OWL ( road casualty ) Drove over to Isla Cantella - this was where we stayed 3 years ago , 20 SERIN, 5 SARDINIAN WARBLER, 3 WAXBILL, 1 WHITETHROAT,  2 HOOPOE ( 1 feeding only 20 feet from us )10 SWALLOW, 3 RED RUMPED SWALLOW, 2 HOUSE MARTIN, 1juv WHINCHAT, 1 MIPIT, 1TREE PIPIT, 1 WILLOW WARBLER , 1 OLIVACEOUS WARBLER . On the marsh 12 SPOONBILL, 20+ OYSTERCATCHER. After lunch decided to drive inland to San Silvestre De Guzam in the hope of findingSOUTHERN GREY SHRIKE , a trip of 20 miles produced good views of 3 and a BUZZARD and a KESTREL. Trip list now up to 101.  Whist we don't leave until late afternoon unlikely to add any more to this total .Birding has been great , pity the Hotel food has been  so bad ! Looking forward to getting out back on the patch late Wed  SUN 16 OCT - ISLANTILLA SPAIN  Around the hotel  an  IBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF, in local fields 20 CATTLE EGRET . Another visit to the ODIEL MARSHES , similar species of Duck and Waders although no detailed counts made , 2 OSPREY, 1m MARSH HARRIER, 13 SPOONBILL, 35 SANDWICH TERN, 2 CASPIAN TERN, 2 LITTLE TERN , By the visitor center is a walk around some dried up reed beds - SONG THRUSH, WILLOW WARBLER, 3 TREE SPARROW, 20 SPANISH SPARROW, a male white spot BLUETHROAT,  along the dunes 10 WHEATEAR, 5 CRESTED LARK, 1 MIPIT. 3 WHITE STORK still standing on nest sites . On the way back stopped off at El Portillo - 1 MISTLE THRUSH, 4 KENTISH PLOVER, 3 RINGED PLOVER, 10 LITTLE STINT, 1 SANDERLING , 20 DUNLIN, 20 BLACK WINGED STILT , 1 SNIPE, 70 TEAL . Trip list now at 90  THURS , FRI SAT -13-15 OCT  2 MORNINGS OF LOCAL WALKS PRODUCED - 7 PIED FLYCATCHER, 3 HOOPOE, 7 SARDINIAN WARBLER,1 GREAT TIT, 1 GREY WAGTAIL, , 4 WAXBILL, 2 SERIN, 1M BLACKCAP, 4 ROBIN,. 2 AVOCET FLEW SOUTH Picked up the hire car Sat morning , set out on what turned out to be a fabulous days birding ! Started at El Portillo pools - almost dried up , but did see30 BLACK WINGED STILT ,50 TEAL, 20 DUNLIN, 1 CURLEW SANDPIPER, 2 MOORHEN , 2 CETTIS WBLR, 2 CATTLE EGRET, 1 CRESTED LARK  Another 30 min driving and arrived at the visitor center for the  Marismas Del Odiel - an extensive salt marshland covering many square miles with lots of footpaths and hides . Spent the next 4 hours just enthralled by the range of Birds , talking ( well trying to ) a local birder he was complaining it was quiet! As the tide rose so the waders made for the salt marshes , must have been in excess of 5000- I logged  1000+ REDSHANK, 8 GREENSHANK, 750+ GREY PLOVER, 300+ CURLEW, 2 WHIMBREL, 2000+ DUNLIN, 200+ RINGED PLOVER  5KENTISH PLOVER , 1 RUFF. 15+ CURLEW SANDPIPER , 10 LITTLE STINT, 8 BLACK T GODWIT,  8 TURNSTONE, 15 COMMON SANDPIPER, , 5 KNOT, 1 GREEN SANDPIPER, 15 BLACK WINGED STILT. Not that many duck but still -150MALLARD ,50 TEAL,. 50 GADWALL, 30SHOVELER,10 COOT, 15 MOORHEN, 1 LITTLE GREBE. 3 CASPIAN TERN, 50 SANDWICH TERN, 5 COMMON TERN, 5 GREY HERON, 10 WHITE STORK, 15 SPOONBILL, 30+ LITTLE EGRET, 5 CATTLE EGRET,, 5 GREAT WHITE EGRET,  2 MARSH HARRIER, 1 OSPREY, 1 KESTREL. 10 CRESTED LARK, 2 THEKLA LARK, 3 WHEATEAR, 5 LINNET, 20 SPANISH SPARROW, 1 HOOPOE, 1 SWALLOW, 10 AZURE WINGED MAGPIE , 20 COMMON MAGPIE, 30 SPOTLESS STARLING , 2 GOLDFINCH, 1 ROBIN, WHITE WAGTAIL 2 DARTFORD WARBLER, 3 SARDINIAN WARBLER and over 500 FLAMINGO with 1 CHILEAN FLAMINGO . WOW!!! Cant wait for Sunday  Haven't worked out what the trip specie list is yet - off for a red wine  WED12 OCT  Before leaving for Spain did a 40min garden watch on Tues morning from 07.50 managed 40 species ( highest total for some time ) inc-GREEN WOODY,1 WATER RAIL, 11 SISKIN, 1JAY, 2Goldcrest, 6 LONG T TIT ,1 REED BUNTING , 20 SWALLOW, 1 SAND MARTIN,  25 STOCK DOVE . Also a quick visit to South Efford Marsh to catch up with all the news from Shetland with Eric - on the marsh 3 REDSHANK, 1 GREENSHANK ,1 COMMON SANDPIPER, CURLEW , 1 KINGFISHER  only 5 Teal .   Arrived in Islantilla at 01.15 , an area os S W Spain 30 miles over the border from Portugal . Big surprise this morning was the weather cloudy and cool , F4/5 increasing 6 Nw wind . Hotel overlooks the sea so should get some sea watching in from the balcony . This morning went for a long walk along the coast most common bird after HOUSE SPARROW was AZURE WINGED MAGPIE OVER 50 , compared with only 2 MAGPIE , 3 SWALLOW, 7 SERIN,  3 CETTIS WARBLER, 2 CHIFFY , PLENTY OF YELLOW L GULL & LESSER B B GULL , on the beach 5 SANDERLING , 1 TURNSTONE .INthe hotel grounds a WAXBILL, 2 ROBIN . An hours sea watch from 17.00 produced , 2CORMORANT , 7 GANNET, 10 SANDWICH TERN, 1 COMMON TERN, 2ad MED GULL,  2 ARCTIC SKUA , 7 BONXIE .   MON 10 OCT A cold morning with a F4 /5 E wind , clear skies early. Did a viz mig watch from the high ground at the back of the Church - bird of the day flew over the Golf Course at 08.20 calling before landing in a bush - a nice ORTALON BUNTING ( 187 ) . Good views of the moustachal pale yellow stripe , light cloured bill and legs , buffish white eyering . My second patch record after a flyover in 2013.In 90mins from 07.45 also recorded - 23 SKYLARK, 57 MIPIT, 21 LINNET, 6 GOLDFINCH, 14 SISKIN, 9 CHAFFINCH, 9 SWALLOW, 1 PEREGRINE, 27 ALBA WAGTAIL, 1 WHEATEAR, 5 CHIFFY, 2 BLACKCAP, 4 STONECHAT, 2 RAVEN. Ringing totals for Sunday were - 1 YELLOW B WARBLER, 1 CETTIS WARBLER, 1 REED WARBLER, 32 CHIFFY, 7 BLACKCAP, 2 STONECHAT, 6 GOLDCREST, 2 SONG THRUSH. Report posted on Devon Birds of 2 CATTLE EGRET, 1 LITTLE STINT and 3 DUNLIN on South Huish Marsh on SAT afternoon . SUN 9 OCT Another very good day on the patch .Started off with joining up with Roger & Helen and team at South Milton Ley at 08.00, whilst iwas there they ringed - 1 YELLOW BROWED WARBLER, 1 CETTIS WARBLER, 1 REED WARBLER, 2 BLACKCAP, , 3 SONG THRUSH . Also on site - 1 BARN OWL, 3 REDWING ( first of the autumn )3 SISKIN, GREEN and GREAT WOODY, 3 BULLFINCH, 1 SPARROWHAWK.. Full ringing report to follow . At South Huish Marsh - 9 DUNLIN, 1 MED GULL 1 WIGEON, 20 TEAL, 155 SWALLOW, 455 HOUSE MARTIN, 2 LITTLE GREBE, 2 WHINCHAT. In the Bay / rocks - 3 TURNSTONE, 1juv COMMON GULL, 3 BRENT GOOSE flew west At South Efford Marsh Eric ( back from a very great trip to Shetlands , try and meet up with him in the hide to get the full report ) found - 2 RUFF, 2 GREENSHANK, 6 COMMON SANDPIPER, OSPREY , SAT 8 OCT Another new year tick this morning - Alan Pomroy ringing at South Milton Ley heard a YELLOW BROWED WARBLER ( 186 ) at 08.00, could not be relocated . He ringed - 19 CHIFFY, 6 GOLDCREST, 2 BLACKCAP , also on site , SPARROWHAWK,  BULLFINCH, 2 WATER RAIL , 1 SISKIN ( over ) At South Huish Marsh Bob reported a MERLIN, 530+ CANADA GOOSE ( site record )and by the footbridge a WATER RAIL I started with a 35min Garden Watch from 07.55 - 25 species recorded inc - 1 GREEN WOODY, 4 CHIFFY, 5 PIED WAGH, 1 GREY WAG, 1 RAVEN, 1 REED BUNTING, 1 SNIPE, 6 LONG T TIT , 30 GOLDFINCH . Spent the reainder of the morning walking the valley from Bolberry to Soar Mill Cove - 2 RING OUZEL ( at the bottom of the valley ) , 14 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 WHITETHROAT,6 BLACKCAP,  9 ROBIN, 35 LINNET, 1 WHEATEAR, 2 CIRL BUNTING, 1 YELLOWHAMMER, 3 SONG THRUSH, 3 REDWING, 15 STONECHAT Almost continuous passage of Hirundines - 85 SWALLOW, 310 HOUSE MARTIN FRI 7 OCT  Another cloudy day with some heavy showers late morning , although wind still SE no more than a F2/3 Firstly an update from Thurs - Roger Backway found a CATTLE EGRET (185 ) at South Efford Marsh at 12.45 , he has sent me a photo which I will post later .As I walked past the same field less than 15 mins before him I am going to Specsavers !. It got even worse today- Terry G and I left the marsh at 12.55, reports on Rare Bird alert of first 1 at 13.01 and then 2 At 13.05, was back by 13.45 but no trace . Also  on the Marsh today - 3 GREENSHANK, 2 BLACK T GODWIT singles of RUFF, GREEN SANDPIPER and COMMON SANDPIPER , 2 DUNLIN, 3 SNIPE Earlier this morning at South Huish Marsh -45 TEAL, 1juv PINTAIL, 2 WIGEON, 10 DUNLIN, 2 LAPWING, 1 GREY WAGTAIL:, 7 CHIFFY, 1f REED BUNTING, 2 WHEATEAR,. On the rocks a GREY PLOVER and a RINGED PLOVER. A Common Sandpiper was by the footbridge . At 10.15 a passage of Hiundines commenced - in the next 30 mins before I left I logged - 420 HOUSE MARTIN, 80 SWALLOW and 15 SAND MARTIN CATTLE and LITTLE EGRET South Efford Marsh 6 Oct 2016 Photo take by Roger backway THURS 6 OCT A cloudy morning with an increasing F4-6 ESE wind. Started in the carpark at 08.00, nothing offshore , best of a light viz mig was a m YELLOW WAGTAIL. Moved on to my main viz mig site behind the Chuch , in just over an hour logged - 70 MIPIT, 15 GOLDFINCH, 6 CHAFFINCH, 30 SKYLARK, 35 ALBA WAGTAIL, 2 STONECHAT, 5 LINNET, 1 RAVEN, 1 WHEATEAR, 2 GOLDCREST. Only 5 SWALLOW but one flock of 80+ HOUSE MARTIN Went to South Efford Marsh - no sign of the WOODCHAT SHRIKE, did see - 6 GREENSHANK, 5 BLACK T GODWIT, 2 REDSHANK, 7 DUNLIN, 60 TEAL This morning Nick had on the beach - 1 GREY PLOVER, 3 SANDERLING, 3 DUNLIN, 12 RINGED PLOVER . Near South Miton Village he had a RED KITE ( 184 ) flying up the valley and 10 STARLING. This morningBob reports 6 BRENT GOOSEat South Huish Marsh also 20 HOUSE MARTIN , 30 SWALLOW, 1 SAND MATIN and a juv COMMON GULL This evening over my garden a JAY and 6 STARLING   WED 5 OCT Another very interesting day on the patch. Whist mostly overcast viz offshore still good wind F5/6 ESE. Decided to have an earlier start, seawatching from 07.40 until 10.10 followed by a walk around the marsh , beach/rocks - Sightings from Bob's car park - 235 GANNET, 55 GREAT B B GULL, 10 AUKS, 3 COMMON SCOTER, 30 TEAL ( spent the morning on the sea ), 3 db BRENT GOOSE ( flew west @08.50 ) 1 MED GULL, at 09.20 picked up a juv BLACK TERN (183 ) flying close inshore ,did not linger continued east. A MERLIN watched flying in off the sea at 09.26 - seen later by the Marsh at 10.40.Sparrowhawk flew along the cliffs .4 Raven also flew in off the sea . Viz Mig - 125 MIPIT, 25 ALBA WAGTAIL, 2 GREY WAGTAIL, 12 LINNET, 1 SISKIN, 77 HOUSE MARTIN, 45 SWALLOW , 12 SAND MARTIN . Waders on the beach /rocks - 3 GREY PLOVER ( first of the autumn ) 40 RINGED PLOVER, 15 DUNLIN, 1 SANDERLING, 14 OYSTERCATCHER On South Huish Marsh - 60 TEAL, 6 WIGEON, 1 SNIPE and 16 DUNLIN. Met Rob Hubble who had been to South Efford Marsh and had good views of the juv WOODCHAT SHRIKE, also 8 GREENSHANK, 1 RUFF, 2 REDSHANKand 2 DUNLIN. Winds o/night forecast tobe E F7, easing down to F6 at 09.00, , more cloud with possibility of some light showers upto 13.00. TUES 4 OCT A strong F6 SE wind raised expectations for an interesting mornings seawatch . Results were better than expected . Weather was overcast but the Eddystone Lighthouse could be seen in the distance . Logged in a period of 3.5 hours from 09.00 viewing from Bobs car park were - 280 GANNET, 10 WIGEON, 12 COMMON SCOTER, 10 PINTAIL, 20 TEAL,1ad SHELDUCK, 1 GREAT N DIVER ( first of the autumn ) 13 MALLARD, 140 CANADA GOOSE, 3 SANDWICH TERN, 1 COMMON TERN, 1 MED GULL, 19 LESSER B B GULL, 48 GREAT B B GULL, 1 RAZORBILL - apart from the COMMON TERN everything flew east . Also 11 ALBA WAGTAIL, 25 MIPIT, 20 LINNET, 23 SWALLOW. 1 WHEATEAR. Waders - 2 BLACK T GODWIT ( in off ) On the beach 14 RINGED PLOVER, 2 DUNLIN , 2 SANDERLING. Over my garden - 40 MIPIT, 1 JAY, 1 SNIPE Looking forward to Wed with winds increasing overnight will this bring any Skuas ?   MON 3 OCT Have just rec'd a photo from Dave Pakes of the juv WOODCHAT SHRIKE he refound at South Efford Marsh late morning . have spoken to Eric & Alan who are in Shetland looking at a Lanceolated Warbler , we all agree it is the same bird as Eric found on the 24 Sept. Also on the Marsh 5 BLACK T GODWIT, 1 RUFF, 2 GREENSHANK. My day started very well with a BARN OWL over T'stone 'marsh' at 06.30 and a GREEN WOODY over the garden . Did a 2hr Viz Mig watch from the high ground at the back of the Golf Course from 07.40 some good movement observed - 365 MIPIT , 34 SKYLARK, 65 ALBA WAGTAIL - east plus a further 80 feeding on the greens , 40 SWALLOW, 12 SAND MARTIN, 3 HOUSE MARTIN , 2 STOCK DOVE, 55 LINNET, 4 CHAFFINCH, 31 GOLDFINCH, 1 GREENFINCH, 8 SISKIN, 1 WHEATEAR, 1 WHINCHAT, 1 GREAT SP WOODY -N , 15 WIGEON - S, 2 CHIFFY, 1 MISTLE THRUSH. Bob reports from South Huish Marsh / Beach and South Milton Ley - 60 HOUSE MARTIN, 50 SWALLOW, 1 SAND MARTIN, 1 SISKIN, 3 SONG THRUSH, 10 DUNLIN, 2 RINGED PLOVER, 2 SANDERLING   SUN 2 OCT A sunny still morning , warm for Oct An hours Garden Watch from 07.30 was the best of the autumn , day total of 36 species included a year tick - at 08.25 a WOODLARK( (182) flew over up the valley - last year the only sighting was on the 1st Oct flying up the valley .Also at least 6 CHIFFY, 1 HOBBY, 8 LONG T TIT, at 13.00 4 RED L PARTRIDGE ( in field) and at 15.00 a REDSHANK flew west calling Joined on tour of the patch by Bob and Chris - 1 WHEATEAR, 2 GREY wag, 20+ PIED WAG, 1 WHITE WAG, 11 SKYLARK, 30 MIPIT, 1 REED BUNTING, 1 REED WARBLER, 2 SEDGE WARBLER, 15 SWALLOW -east, 2 GREAT SP WOODY, a KINGFISHER flew under the footbridge, 3 CHIFFY and 4 in the gardens , 1 SONG THRUSH. On the marsh - 1 SNIPE, 1 DUNLIN, 1 RINGED PLOVER ( over ) , 1 WHEATEAR, On the rocks a COMMON SANDPIPER At South Milton LEY Bob had 3 WATER RAIL , BULLFINCH and a JAY A good start to the month 82 species recorded in the first 2 days . SAT 1 OCT Overnight strong winds and thunder storms gave way to a morning of sunny periods but still a F6 /7 WNW wind Started the month with a 40 min Garden watch from 07.55 - 30 species recorded including - 85 MIPIT, 8 PIED WAG, 1 GREY WAG , 8 GOLDFINCH, 2 RAVEN, 20 SISKIN, 1 SWALLOW, 2 STOCK DOVE Offshore - 15 GANNET, 1 AUK, . Very little duck on South Huish Marsh - 3 TEAL, 3 MALLARD, 2 WIGEON,  flying over / in the fields - 45 MIPIT, 2 WHEATEAR, 3 STONECHAT, 16 LINNET, 23 GOLDFINCH, 1 PEREGRINE, 5 SWALLOW, 1 HOUSE MARTIN, 1 DUNLIN, An 1.5 hour visit to South Efford Marsh produced - 2 GREENSHANK, 2 BLACK T GODWIT, 1 BAR T GODWIT, 1 RUFF, 1GREEN SANDPIPER, 1 COMMON SANDPIPER, CURLEW, 150+ TEAL.

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