Horrid autumn- 12/9/17

6:15-8:40
Point- Blackcap 2, Chiffchaff 3, Reed Bunting 1
viz mig- Meadow Pipit 13, Swallow 4
offshore- Song Thrush 3, Common Tern 1, Marsh Harrier 1

Yup, that didn't cause a ripple when I tweeted. Three Song Thrush offshore. Spread about chomping on the algae in Sharps Green Bay. That'll do.

The Mystic. Still on Nor. Play 'spot the Marsh Harrier'.

Offshore, Darnet in use as a wader roost for one of the first times this autumn; 90 Oystercatcher and 35 Black-tailed Godwit in view. The slightly higher saltings just east of the fort look as if they should attract a routine roost, but is perhaps a little too close to the landing party magnet that is Darnet Fort. The area further east, past the old seawall of a long-abandoned cement works, tend to go under on the highest tides nowadays. The fort? Often a display site for Shelduck, or a roost for Egrets/Herons. But too disturbed, especially in the summer months. Scanning from the shore, even if you don't spot people, you'll often see their ropes and ladders.

Final icing on the cake today? Confirmation of Horrid as good choice for an uber-dull spot this autumn. My daily morning catch up went:

Ranger 'Anything?'

'Double figure Mipits'

'Oh. Flushed LOADS of them from the car park'