9th October

A day with much more rain than was forecast with a light westerly wind increasing to become more breezy by the afternoon. None of yesterday's rare Pipit's were seen today but this could be due to the rotation of the census routes with only the OBP from the observatory really searched for. However given the stunningly bright moon and clear night it seems equally likely that many birds (rarities included) moved on with much fewer Thrushes and just a handful of re-traps at the nets from yesterdays large haul supporting this theory. There was still plenty to see though with a smart Long-eared Owl caught and ringed early on and there was a mid afternoon influx of Tundra Bean Geese with at least 14 present around the south end. The species has become more regular in recent years and after a pair had been seen in the morning, a group of 11 and then a single came in off the sea at Nouster (there could be 6 more) while there was also a Canada Goose with 135 Pink-footed Geese also present and 78 Barnacle Geese flew south. Also of note today were a Goldeneye, 2 Kestrels, a late Common Sandpiper, 11 Woodpigeons and a Short-eared Owl. Thrush numbers were reduced to as low as just 63 Song Thrushes and 60 Redwings. A Tree Pipit was still around and there was also a Grey Wagtail, a Redstart, 22 Blackcaps, 16 Goldcrests, half of yesterdays Bramblings and Chaffinch but an increase in Twite numbers to 30.