Back in the game

After two days of catching up with work I was free to do a day in the field today. I teamed up with Marc and we headed to East Head HERE and this afternoon I did the local circuit HERE. Highlights at East Head and Snowhill Marsh included over 100 Brent Geese, 2 Spoonbill, 9 Greenshank, Firecrest, a late Lesser Whitethroat and good numbers of Chiffchaffs and Goldcrest with 32 and 17 respectively. Highlights of the afternoon session included 2 Curlew Sandpiper at Church Norton, 2 Green Sand on Ferry, 3 Marsh Harrier, 10 Stonechat and 1 Whinchat and the incredible sight of 90+ Cattle Egret coming into roost on the other side of the harbour at Owl Copse. 

I got in a garden watch yesterday morning HERE and on the continuing later autumn theme I had the first flock of Lapwings going over and there was a bit of vis-mig with Siskins, Pied Wagtails, Yellow Wagtails and Mipits.

I got the moth trap out yesterday night and there wasn't much- only 13 species of about 40 individuals during a rather cool night. 

Returning Brents over East Head

First-winter Spoonbills

Whinchat

Chiffchaff- pretty much everywhere today. We only had 5 Barn Swallows today and what with the large numbers around during September now behind us , it's all rather late autumnal out there.

The moth trap dominated by Lunar Underwings (so variable) is another sign of the times

Black Rustic- another classic later autumn  moth