October 8th

Although the drizzle held off this morning there was a very strong and blustery SW wind blowing that prompted a westerly hirurundine movement low along the seawall and the beach. In the ninety minutes our walk took we counted 1,082 House Martins and 121 Swallows. Other birds we saw included 4 Pied Wagtails, 21 Meadow Pipits, 7 Linnets, 7 Redshank, 2 Kestrels, 1 Little Egret, 38 Goldfinches, 1 Stonechat, 5 Reed Buntings, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Curlew, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 adult winter plumaged Mediterranean Gull, 2 Coot, 15 Mallard, 1 Turnstone, 14 Cormorants, 2 Chiffchaffs and 4 Robins.

Male Ring Ouzel seen at Plumpudding Riding Centre yesterday - Glynn Crocker