October 2008
57 species so far this monthCormorant
Shag
Little Egret
Grey Heron
Mute Swan
Sparrowhawk
Kestrel
Peregrine
Buzzard
Turnstone
Arctic Skua >
Mediterranean Gull >
Black Headed Gull
Herring Gull >
Great Black-backed Gull
Common Tern >
Sandwich Tern >
Wood Pigeon
Collared Dove
Tawny Owl
Short-eared Owl
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Skylark
Swallow
Meadow Pipit
Yellow Wagtail
Grey Wagtail
Pied Wagtail
Wren
Dunnock >
Robin
Stonechat
Wheatear
Blackbird
Song Thrush
Redwing
Blackcap
Chiffchaff
Goldcrest
Long-tailed Tit
Coal Tit
Blue Tit >
Great Tit
Magpie
Jackdaw >
Rook
Carrion Crow
Raven
Starling
House Sparrow >
Chaffinch >
Greenfinch
Goldfinch >
Brambling
Siskin
Linnet
Bullfinch
October 4th
The complete absence Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps today was an indication that the last of the autumn migration must have gone through last week. A few Goldcrests were all that was left of the songbird passage whilst in the harbour there was a late Common Tern.
October 5th
A late Yellow Wagtail over Newstead Road was the 97th species recorded on the Trail since September 2007.
October 6th
The weekend's gales had blown a few Shags into the harbour and there were plenty of Chiffchaffs again from Buxton Road to Downclose. Overhead passing Chaffinches and Skylarks were the first of the second wave of songbird migration.
October 7th
After another wet and windy morning I wasn't entirely surprised when an Arctic Skua appeared in the harbour off Downclose.
October 12th
Overhead migration today featured a flock of 12 Skylarks heading south over Smallmouth.
October 21st
A late-night walk back from the Boot Inn produced the first Redwings of the autumn and a Tawny Owl calling from the trees above Marsh Road.
October 27th
A good day for finches with a Bullfinch near Newstead Road, a Siskin over the sailing centre and finally a Brambling over Downclose. Chaffinch, Linnet, Greenfinch and Goldfinch also seen of course.
October 28th
A Short-eared Owl flying south over the harbour was the 100th species for the trail!