Slow Indian Summer Days

The high pressure conditions continue as does the quiet spell for migration. There was very little going over the garden this morning and a check on the falling tide at White's Creek and East Side produced very little new apart from a few more ducks HERE. Red Kite, 2 Peregrine and a Marsh Harrier were the highlights and 4 Avocet and 11 Golden Plover were the first time I've seen these on this side of the harbour this autumn. There was only 5 Dunlin and I didn't see any Ringed Plovers so not much hope in finding something amongst the small waders. 

The moth trap was also quiet with little in the way of insect migration despite the southerly airflow. A deep southerly airflow is forecast for next week so hopefully a change in weather will kick start migration again. 

Hopefully something will happen round here as it looks like I'm local bound for a while as I've run out of money following a very quiet six months at work so the autumn birding war chest is empty after forking out for a half term week in Bulgaria with the family and then the big trip to Namibia in November.  

Pintail numbers were up to 28 and Wigeon up to 67 with 6 Shoveler and 177 Teal. Pintail and Wigeon (above and below). The male Pintails are moulting into winter plumage with some showing darker heads. Will be interesting to see how the winter population of Pintail build to the expected 200 or so wintering birds  HERE. 

Golden Plovers on East Side. The first Brent was in the harbour yesterday. 

Cypress Pug- a NFY

Vestal- they keep coming with 5 last night . Other 'migrants' recently have included a couple of Small Mottled Willow, single Portland Ribbon Wave and Blair's Mocha and the odd Delicate and Rusty-dot with a few Rush Veneers. 

Deep Brown Dart. Surprisingly it looks like this is a first for the garden with few records in this area HERE. They have been common at my previous haunts. Now on 720 for the garden and 547 for the year.