October is probably the month that British birders hold with the highest potential for both rarities and migration highlights as the Autumn and Winter seasons crossover with Summer and Winter migrants overlapping and the month most likely to generate rare vagrants from anywhere. This year, of course maybe different, as we have already had an unprecedented September with the large fall of American passerines, an event unlikely to be repeated. I have my sights set a little lower and just want to enjoy the time I have set aside for being out looking, with next week earmarked for a trip to the Scillies should, if nothing else, be enjoyable.
This morning I stuck to revisiting Black Down, still with a hope of finding something marginally more interesting, but again left with a similar list to Saturday. Fewer Meadow Pipits, about 10 were flying around with less purpose and still c20 Siskin, c30 Linnet and perhaps an increase to c10 Lesser Redpoll, The Woodlark was still singing, 13 Swallows flew over and 2 Song Thrush were birds not seen here for a while. A Sparrowhawk and Kestrel were seen in quick succession then a large raptor, very distant and very high flying South looked potentially the most interesting bird of the morning but it was too far to even narrow down the possibilities.
Late morning at home there appeared to be a southerly movement of House Martins with 219 counted in about 45 minutes, just 1 Swallow and 2 Meadow Pipit, but another Woodlark and 6 Black-headed Gulls were notable for here. Rooks seem to be gathering at the moment with a flock of 20 + flying over and the first Mistle Thrush of Autumn, with a Grey Wagtail and Marsh Tit present.
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| Lesser Redpoll |
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