Despite ideal conditions this morning and seabirds being recorded all around (Kittiwake and Gannet in North London, Sandwich Tern at Bough Beech and Little Gulls at Rainham) there was, unfortunately no repeat of yesterday's action.
There was however an evident shift in the suite of migrants with our first Skylarks (11), Reed Bunting (5) and Chaffinches (2+6) present, an increase in Snipe numbers to 16 and up to 50 Lapwings (only 11 recently). There has also been an increase in Woodpigeon numbers (40+). A Great Crested Grebe was also a new arrival (only the second record this year) and 5 Pintail flew over (and 3 were still present on the North Lake). The Skylarks, Reed Buntings and Chaffinches mark the beginning of a shift to a late autumn suite of birds with the number of Chiffchaffs calling from the edges decreasing and the first high pitched calls of Goldcrest could be heard today. It won't be long for the first winter thrushes and the exciting late autumn mass movements.
The juvenile Common Sandpiper is still on the wet grassland and House Martins were still moving too (50+). The guys also had a Golden Plover, Wheatear and a couple of Stonechat.
I'm staying with the family tomorrow and then next week hoping to properly start the month of rarity hunting.
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