TUES 31 OCT 

Another very good viz mig morning over my house between 07.15-08.30 31 species logged inc -

31,000 WOOD PIGEON - ALL FLYING SE , this morning the flocks were more to the east than yesterday , largest flocks of 5,000, 3000, and 2000 . Initially 60% cloud which cleared to only 25% by 07.45 

10 BLACKBIRD - landing in the three tops before flying south ( see comments from Dave P later ) , 25 CHAFFINCH , 14 GOLDFINCH , 2 CIRL BUNTING -S , 6 REDWING -N , 6 SKYLARK, 95 STARLING -N , 

1 BULLFINCH, 3 JAY, 3 CHIFFY 

Looks like 90% cloud cover in the morning which could mean less movement .

offshore - 120 + GANNET , 4 KITTIWAKE , 8 COMMON SCOTER , 

8 BRENT GOOSE - E 

On the rocks - 8 TURNSTONE, 7 RINGED PLOVER .

ON South Huish Marsh an invasion of CANADA GOOSE -550 THIS MORNING , 2 LITTLE GREBE , 20 TEAL, 6 SNIPE , 1 BLACK T GODWIT .There were 2 CATTLE EGRET - IN THE FAR FIELD WITH  CATTLE 

Dave P reports from South Milton Ley -

1 YELLOW B WARBLER , 2 GOLDCREST, 1M REED BUNTING , 1 CHIIFY and 20 BLACKBIRD FEEDING ON THE hawthorn berries 

MON 30 OCT

Clear skies , light wind a good start for a viz mig watch . On the balcony for 07.30 until 09.15 , plenty of action with 38 species recorded .

my first large WOOD PIGEON movement - total of 13,650 , largest flocks 3x1600, 3x1500 , all flying SSE .Only 10 STOCK DOVE .

Other movement - 68 CHAFFINCH , 20 SKYLARK, 6 BULLFINCH,15 GOLDFINCH - again all SSE . 55 STARLING N AND 15 SSE.

First winter thrushes with 4 REDWING , 2 FIELDFARE - BOTH N .

A MERLIN flew SSE @07.45 , 1 SNIPE -N .370 CANADA GOOSE - SSE 

A CETTIS WARBLER singing on the Marsh , 5 JAY , 2 SWALLOW , , 

1 STONECHAT , 5 CHIFFY 

In the Bay - 100+ GANNET , ON THE ROCKS - 4 TURNSTONE , 4 RINGED PLOVER 

On South Huish Marsh - 2 BLACK T GODWIT , 20 TEAL.  1 CATTLE EGRET , 4 LITTLE EGRET, 2 SNIPE 

At South Efford Marsh Eric reports - 1WATER PIPIT, 6 GREENSHANK ,2 REDSHANK. 32 CURLEW , 90 TEAL 

SUN 29 OCT

Arrived back at 02.00 this morning from our trip to Majorca- managed 102 species-  will post a brief report later . Some nice photos with the Nikon P900.

A garden watch from 09.00 for 40 mins only produced 25 species , no viz mig passage . 1 1st w MED GULL , RAVEN , 2 SPARROWHAWK , 2 JAY 

At South Huish Marsh - 4 BLACK T GODWIT , 20 TEAL, 2 SNIPE , 1 REDPOLL ( over ) , 5 LITTLE EGRET, 1 CATTLE EGRET, 1 BULLFINCH, 1 GREAT SP WOODY, 1 2w MED GULL , 1 LITTLE GREBE 

On the rocks - 6 RINGED PLOVER , 4 TURNSTONE 

At South Efford Marsh - Eric reports 1 WATER PIPIT , 1 GREEN SANDPIPOER, 7 GREENSHANK 

23 OCT - 27 OCT

Update on records received whilst. I was in Majorca

21 Oct 1 LEACH'S PETREL ( 201 ) in the Bay . On South Huish Marsh Nick had a GREY PHALAROPE and 3 SWALLOW

23 OCT 1 LEACH'S PETREL at 08.50 ( Perry )

26 OCT - Alan ringed at South Milton Ley -E1 CETTIS WARBLER, 9 CHIFFY , 9 GOLDCREST, 6 FIRECREST ( day record ) , 1 SONG THRUSH, 2 REDWING , 3 REED BUNTING . Also onsite / passage - 4 WATER RAIL, 5 MISTLETOE THRUSH, 15 REDWING, 1 CIRL BUNTING, GREEN and REAT SP WOODY, 750 WOOD PIGEON 20 SKYLARK , 50 LINNET, 12 SISKIN , 30 CHAFFINCH

At South Efford Marsh Rod B had a REDSTART perched on the hide window !

27 OCT Nick had a WHEATEAR on the golf course and a max count for the month of 12 BLACK TAILED GODWIT on South Huish Marsh 

FRI 20 OCT 

Have just received an email from JamesK a sighting at Bolt Tail this morning of a SHORT EARED OWL - This is the 200th specie this year - fantastic news 

Alsoin the area a Merlin and 3 FIRECREST.

ON 18 Oct a report of a YELLOW BROWED WARBLER in South Milton Village 

TUES 17 OCT 

A memorable mornings garden watch 1hr 15 min from 08.00 patch life tick - at 08.10 2 HAWFINCH flew south out of the copse only 30 feet from me , a few moments later picked up 2 FIRECREST. A total of 38 species which inc - 1 MERLIN ( flew south @ 08.25 ) ,

1 SPARROWHAWK, BUZZARD , 25 GOLDFINCH, 4 CHAFFINCH,

2 BULLFINCH, 8 GREENFINCH, 12 STARLING, 1 STONECHAT,

8+ BLACKBIRD ,1 SONG THRUSH, 16 SKYLARK , 1f REED BUNTING, 20+ MIPIT , LINNET, GREAT SP WOODY, 1 JAY, 4 PIED WAGTAIL.

Fantastic morning to sign off , next update 29 Oct  

MON 16 OCT 

A cloudy morning clearing by 10.30 wind SSE increasing to F8 as the remnants of storm Ophelia moved through.

On South Huish Marsh only 2 BLACK T GODWIT, 2 LITTLE GREBE , 14 TEAL, a 1stw MED GULL . This afternoon Julia had a FIRECREST by the shed 

A  good mornings seawatch from the flats - just after 09.00 the GANNET started moving through by 11.30 the total was 420 . Also 2 BONXIE ( 09.20 ) , 7 BALEARIC SHEARWATER ( 3 @ 09.15 , 4 @. 09.50 ), single SOOTY SHEARWATER at 09.25 and 10.16 , 2 COMMON SCOTER , 40 + Auks ( mostly GUILLEMOT ), 13 KITTIWAKE - all going E .

James at Hope Cove had most of the above plus at 11.00 an

ARCTIC SKUA  He also had another BONXIE off Bolt Tail at 15.30

SUN 15 OCT 

A cloudy mild morning with a light SSW wind .

Started with a 50 min Garden Watch from 07.50, only 24 species but did include - 1 juv BLACK REDSTART ( FEEDING UNDER SOLAR PANELS OF A BUNGALOW ), 1 MERLIN , KESTREL, BUZZARD , PEREGRINE , 1juv STONECHAT, 1 CHIFFY and 16 STARLING ( flew NW).

On the rocks / Bay - 1ad MED GULL, 2 SANDWICH TERNS ( first for Oct ),7 RINGED PLOVER, 6 TURNSTONE , 

By the footbridge 150+ GOLDFINCH, 1 REED BUNTING ,

3 STONECHAT, 3 RAVEN - NW .

On South Huish Marsh- 2 BLACK T GODWIT , 21 TEAL, 2 LITTLE GREBE .2ad 1 1stw MED GULL , 16 SWALLOW , 1 GREY WAGTAIL .

In the gardens of the houses in the lane a flock of birds which contained- 10 LONG T TIT , 5 FIRECREST ( a patch  day record )

2 GOLDCREST. , 2 CHIFFY and 3 REED BUNTING , 1 SONG THRUSH 

At South Efford Marsh ERic reports - 4 MED GULL ( 3 1st w , 1ad )

32 CURLEW , 6. GREENSHANK , 4 REDSHANK , 1 BLACK T GODWIT , 2 COMMON SANDPIPER, 1 GREEN SANDPIPER, 2 STONECHAT,

1 FIRECREST and the first returning WATER PIPIT 

Some interesting weather on Mon and even stronger winds later in the week 

SAT 14 OCT

A cloudy morning with a light S breeze 

On South Huish Marsh - the CATTLE EGRET, 21 TEAL, 2 LITTLE GREBE , 60+ GOLDFINCH , 2 f REED BUNTING 

On the rocks - 9 RINGED PLOVER, 7 TURNSTONE , 1 GREY WAGTAIL .

At 14.15 - 2 GOLDCREST through my garden .

On South Efford Marsh Dave P reports - KINGFISHER, 

4 REDSHANK, 7 GREENSHANK, 1 BAR T GODWIT , 1 BLACK T GODWIT, 25 CURLEW , 80+ TEAL, 2 CHIFFY 

THURS 12 OCT 

Cloudy morning with a F 4/5 WNW wind .

Little to report - at South Huish Marsh - 10 TEAL, 1LITTLE GREBE , 2 BLACK T GODWIT , 3 SNIPE , THE LITTLE EGRET 

ON THE ROCKS - 3 RINGED PLOVER , 1 TURNSTONE 

Visited Huxton Cross , no sign of any winter Thrushes yet but did have - 2 YELLOWHAMMER , 1 GREY WAGTAIL ,8 SWALLOW ,1 CHIFFY 

At South Milton Ley Alan Ringed 31 birds inc - 2 BLACKCAP, 1BULLFINCH, 6 CHIFFY, 7 GOLDCREST , 7MIPIT .

Also on site - 2 WATER RAIL , 2 TAWNY OWL , 1 CIRL BUNTING , 5 SISKIN 

WED 11 OCT

Another cloudy morning with some light showers. Wind F7 SW with rough seas

Late start, arrived at South Huish Marsh for 10.45 - only birds recorded - 2 BLACK T GODWIT , 1 LITTLE GREBE , 10 TEAL

An hours seawatch produced - 55 GANNET, 2 BALEARIC SHEARWATER ( flew W at 12.00 ) 10 KITTIWAKE , 2 ad MED GULL , 4 COMMON SCOTER - E , 1 GUILLEMOT and 3 AUKS - E

On the rocks - 3 RINGED PLOVER, 1 TURNSTONE

TUES 10 OCT

A cloudy start quickly followed by mist and rain not clearing until 11.00. A brisk F4/5 W wind

Started with a viz mig watch at the high ground behind the Church from 07.55- 09.25 , because of the poor weather coditions little passage , however i logged 32 species inc -

1m CIRL BUNTING , 26 GOLDFINCH, 13 CHAFFINCH, 8 LINNET,

1 STONECHAT , 14 MIPIT , 55 PIED WAGTAIL ( mostly flying N / NE )3 SKYLARK , 30+ HOUSE SPARROW ( in stubble field )

4 STARLING ( first this side of the patch for some weeks ). a covey of 20 RED L PARTRIDGE ( released birds ), 7 BLACKBIRD ,

1 SONG THRUSH

On South Huish marsh - 18 TEAL, 2 LITTLE GREBE , 1m MALLARD ( first on the marsh for some days ) 1 BLACK T GODWIT,

30 + MIPIT

On the rocks 4 RINGED PLOVER, offshore 12 AUKS flew E

MON 9 OCT

A morning of cloud clearing to one of sunny periods , a brisk F4/5 W wind . Joined by Graham today .

Offshore 120 GANNET, 30 G B B GULL , 29 CORMORANT , 2 SHAG, 8 COMMON SCOTER - E , 42 WIGEON - E ( 2 flocks 28 & 14 )

2 AUK - E , 1 GUILLEMOT on sea , 2 COMMON GULL .

On South Huish Marsh - 3 BLACK T GODWIT ., 22 TEAL , 1 LITTLE GREBE , the CATTLE EGRET, 4 LITTLE EGRET, flying over -

4 STONECHAT , 30 + GOLDFINCH, 5 SKYLARK , 1 WHEATEAR, ,

1 SWALLOW , 1 STOCK DOVE , 5 PIED WAGTAIL, 88 MIPIT

On the rocks - 5 RINGED PLOVER, 1 TURNSTONE . A MERLIN flew east at 12.00

Report of a BARN OWL near South Milton Ley

SUN 8 OCT

Back to a nice sunny day with only a very light NW breeze

At 08.30 a 15 min Garden Watch produced 30 species ( should have got out a lot earlier ) inc - SISKIN , GREY WAGTAIL, RAVEN, CHIFFY, LONG T TIT . At 17.15 this evening a flock of 45 PIED WAGTAIL flew over to roost

On South Huish Marsh - 17 TEAL, 2 LITTLE GREBE, the CATTLE EGRET, 2 MED GULL, 1 RINGED PLOVER ( over ) .

On the rocks 39 OYSTERCATCHER, A passage of SWALLOW flying W over the sea totalled 150 + , 65 GOLDFINCH , 2 SKYLARK and 35 MIPIT flew W

A report of a RUFF on the marsh

At South efford Marsh  Eric reports - 2 GREENSHANK, 1 REDSHANK

1 COMMON SANDPIPER , 1 BAR T GODWIT , 1 BLACK T GODWIT , still 80 + TEAL

SAT 7 OCT

Only time for a brief visit this morning - heavy rain at times with a F6/7 NW wind- very little to report

Offshore 80 + GANNET. On South Huish Marsh - The CATTLE EGRET, TEAL, 1 BLACK T GODWIT , 1ad MED GULL, 2 LITTLE GREBE

Hope Sunday is better !

FRI 6 OCT

A very nice autumnal day plenty of sunshine and only a light NW breeze.

On the rocks - 4 RINGED PLOVER, 3 TURNSTONE , 1 DUNLIN .

2 WHEATEAR

On South Huish Marsh - 17 TEAL, 2 LITTLE GREBE , 1 BLACK T GODWIT , 4 SNIPE, 1 CATTLE EGRET, 1juv WHINCHAT, 1 SONG THRUSH, 1 GREY WAGTAIL, 3 CHIFFY . 15 SWALLOW

Alan ringed 50 birds at South Milton Ley this morning , inc -

26 CHIFFY, 10 MIPIT, 2 BLACKCAP, 2 GOLDCREST, 2 BULLFINCH , . Also on site 4 SISKIN and 2 WATER RAIL

At South Efford Marsh Eric had the best morning for a while - By the entrance gate - 15 LONG T TIT , 4 GOLDCREST and a FIRECREST

On the Marsh - 6 WHEATEAR , 1juv WHINCHAT, 8 DUNLIN,

11 RINGED PLOVER, 2 CURLEW SANDPIPER, 2 LITTLE STINT,

5 GREENSHANK , 4 REDSHANK, 1 BLACK T GODWIT, 1 BAR T GODWIT, 1 GREEN SANDPIPER, 80 + TEAL, a SPARROWHAWK and 5 SWALLOW over