Wednesday 8th October 2014

Weather; Clear and sunny early, clouding over by midday. Rain set in mid afternoon. Wind SE.


Birding coverage around the lighthouse area has been sparse recently due to most of the regulars being away on various birding trips, hence the lack of recent blog entries.

Over the tide today there was a good assortment of waders roosting on the groyne west of the lighthouse. These included around 200 Redshanks, a Greenshank, 150 Dunlins, 6 Sanderling, 22 Knot, 40 Turnstone, 8 Ringed Plover and a Grey Plover. A Spotted Redshank flew east over the paddocks. 2 rather late Sandwich Terns flew east offshore.

Visible overhead movement eastward included 4 Teal, a Peregrine, a Sparrowhawk, 4 Great spotted Woodpeckers, 8 Grey Wagtails, 10 Meadow Pipits and a Swallow. Westward movement included 8 Skylarks and 6 Chaffinches.

Grounded birds around the lighthouse included 8 Goldcrests and 6 Chiffchaffs, all these birds being around the duckpond and nature trail area. A single Blackcap was at Lingham Lane. The reeds at the pond appear to be full of squealing Water Rails.  Obs KAD, EW.

Chiffchaff at the Duck pond. EW