October
we clocked up 98 species in the month five being new for the year Rock Pipit, Great white Egret two birds spending 20 minutes on the Reserve being only the third Record, Barn Owl, Short Eared Owl and Red Throated Diver, the Med Gull was still about on and off all month, two different Common Gull where seen on Forge Mill, a female Pintail turned up being joined by a second bird mid month, Jack Snipe showed really well on the bund, Tawny Owl was still calling, we had six Stonechat a pair in the Marsh, a pair behind the CB's, a female on the Bund and a first winter male at Salter's, a couple of Raven over Salters and a bird over Forge Mill, Little Egret was seen several times, 8 Whooper Swan on Swan pool for half hour was a good find. 13 Mandarin was a new max count for the Valley and the County, 2 Dunlin dropped in on the island's after earlier being seen flying over Swan pool, we had 1 female Yellowhammer, 10+ Brambling at various locations and 14 Crossbill over Brownies, Goldeneye on Swan pool, Willow tit at feeders, a Woodcock near the end of the month and Merlin, Firecrest and Ring Ouzel where reported. the best counts being 500+ Wood Pigeon, 450+ Jackdaw, 400+ Canada geese, 315+ Coot, 58 Goosander was a new October record, 80+ Ring Necked Parakeet over the Valley and 110 counted in the roost, 50+ Tufted Duck, 40+ Shoveler, 40+ Teal, 26+ Snipe, 10 Little Grebe and upto 8 Water Rail in the Valley. Migration wise 80+ Fieldfare, 90+ Redwing were the max counts with many more moving through and 40+ Skylark and 40+ Meadow Pipit moved through, 20+ Redpoll 25+ Siskin, 20+ Goldcrest also Chiffchaffs were still around a late Swallow over Salters.
Good Birding YAMYAM