3rd November

A very strong southerly wind and heavy cloud replaced the fine conditions but it remained largely dry throughout the day; the main feature of the day was a big arrival and southerly passage of Gulls comprising 732+ Great Black-backed Gulls, 385+ Herring Gulls and 156 Common Gulls in amongst which were 2 Glaucous Gulls – both first year birds.   Other totals included 8 Red-throated Divers, 4 Great-northern Divers, 2 Whooper Swans, 185 Wigeon, 163 Teal, the Green-winged Teal still, 62 Mallard, 8 Pintail, 13 Shoveler, 15 Tufted Duck, 12 Long-tailed Duck, the long overdue first Goldeneye of the autumn, 5 Red-breasted Mergansers and 591 Golden Plover.

                On the land, migrants comprised 3 Hen Harriers (including the adult male still), a Merlin, a Jack Snipe, 5 Woodcock, a Woodpigeon, 64 Fieldfare, a Song Thrush, 73 Redwing, 2 Jackdaw, 19 Chaffinches, 4 Brambling, 41 Twite, 22 Common Redpoll, a Lesser Redpoll and 8 Snow Buntings.

Glaucous Gull                                     Simon Davies