3rd October 2017

Knowing that the area had received limited coverage in the last couple of days, I was keen to get out into the field despite of a brisk WNW wind which promised little but hard graft.

The day started well with a Ring Ouzel in the Paddock and there was a good movement overhead in the first couple of hours including 700 House Martins, 250 Swallows,  130 Starlings, 120 Meadow Pipits 14 Alba Wagtails, 10+ Siskins, two Reed Buntings, three Great Spotted Woodpeckers, a Golden Plover and five parties of House Sparrows (27  in total).

Chiffchaffs remained numerous (55), along with Blackcaps 17.  A single Lesser Whitethroat showed briefly in the Freedown. A Stonechat and a Wheatear were at Hope Point. At this point I gave up and went to Oare!

Wheatear- Hope Point ( Brendan Ryan)