23rd September

Once again there was a small number of newcomers to encourage current visitors and staff alike to continue with their quest for that elusive rarity! Most of the movement was early on with some visible passage which included a flock of 13 Ravens (north), 57 Skylarks (of which 33 went south), 431 Meadow Pipits and at least 260 Snow Buntings - likely many more. Counts of grounded passerines came to 3 Whinchats, a smart Redstart, 2 Fieldfares, 3 Song Thrushes, 10 Redwings, a Barred Warbler trapped and ringed at Holland gardens, 3 Lesser Whitethroat - including an interesting individual with biometrics and characteristics of the Siberian form 'blythi', 15 Yellow-browed Warblers, 9 Goldcrests and a Tree Sparrow. The first 5 Pink-footed Geese of the autumn moved south in the afternoon and there were also still at least 2 Little Stints at the north end, the Wood Sandpiper and 2 Jack Snipe were flushed.

 Pink-footed Goose (photo George Gay)

Tree Sparrow (photo George Gay)



 'Potentially interesting' Lesser Whitethroat (photos Samuel Perfect)