10th October

A day that didn't live up to the billing with a brisk easterly and heavy cloud cover really not coming up with the anticipated goods. There was no change on the birding front with oddities not getting beyond the level of single Yellow-browed Warblers at the Bill and Weston, and 2 Marsh Harriers and a Dartford Warbler at the Bill; less frequent migrants included the likes of 2 Black Redstarts and singles of Snipe, Firecrest and Bullfinch at the Bill. Meadow Pipits, Pied Wagtails, Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests (the latter two getting to 40 each at the Bill, with lots more elsewhere) still dominated on the ground but overhead passage was distinctly subdued under the overcast skies. A tad more on the sea than of late included singles of Great Skua and Arctic Skua through off the Bill, whilst Brent Goose numbers at Ferrybridge got beyond 200 for the first time this autumn.

Three Delicates were the only immigrant moths of note at the Obs.


Goldcrest - Easton, 10th October 2015 © Martin Cade
 
Ringing at the Bill has been steady if unspectacular just lately, with a nice trio of controls - ringed birds from elsewhere - livening things up yesterday; none of these three species - Sparrowhawk, Meadow Pipit and Bearded Tit - are things that we've got much recovery information on so it'll be interesting to find out where they all came from: