A pretty solid October yielded 65 species in only a handful of visits. I'm starting to look into upgrading my camera, as bad light and lack of weather proofing is proving a real stumbling block with providing much more than record shots as we head into winter so you'll have you bare with me 😅
Right at the start of the month I stumbled upon a Grey Wagtail on the edge of Black Duck by Ingress Park. He was way too quick for me and unfortunately wasn't seen again, but I have seen some cracking pictures on Twitter so fingers crossed he'll be back for more of a photoshoot! A new ditch has been dug out in the centre of the reserve, and it almost looks like a ready made hangout for these guys so I'm hoping they become a lot more of a regular sighting in the next few months.
More of the winter migrants are starting to turn up, Stonechats are now near enough the dominant small bird on the Peninsula and often overlooked LBJs like the Rock Pipit are starting to make an appearance. The first few Teal are starting to creep their way back up the Thames, and a couple of Redwing have arrived, hopefully to be followed by some decent numbers. The Snipe are back too, sneaking round unseen in flooded pools, and on more than one occasion I literally screamed as one flew up next to me before I'd spotted it! Not been able to confirm a Jack yet though.
Highlight so far is the Water Pipit on the foreshore by Black Duck. I was told about it last winter but was never able to pick it out amongst the usual Meadows so had to up my game for this season. Although not a particularly exciting bird to look at, they're certainly rare enough to be noteworthy! Hopefully I'll get a better photo next month as what I managed this time is definitely not worth sharing 😂
I got a great view of this Cormorant whilst scanning the river for seals one evening. He popped up right next to me and took a good few seconds to realise his mistake before he dived back under again, resurfacing 10 metres further out or so. Always found them to be quite shy for such big birds, and getting close enough without a hide is always a bit of a challenge so I was quite happy with this!
I also finally caught up with the Cattle Egrets! Got a terrible photo but I'd passed it off as a Little before noticing the feet and bill, so rushed to get a quick snap. It definitely won't win any awards but I'm very happy to have seen one here, after thinking it had been a missed opportunity. Botany Marsh has been grazed for some time now so I will continue to look there, surely it can't be long until the cliche views of Egret with Cattle comes along!
Only 6 birds to go to hit the magic 120 now, and there are a few reasonable targets left to see. Goldcrest were ringed here midmonth, and I could name a good few more that I've seen in previous years or other birders have found this year that are all realistic winter targets so we will see what happens!
October Full List
Woodpigeon
Collared Dove
Feral Dove
Magpie
Jackdaw
Carrion Crow
Raven
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Long Tailed Tit
Bearded Tit
House Sparrow
Reed Bunting
Chaffinch
Goldfinch
Greenfinch
Linnet
Robin
Stonechat
Blackbird
Song Thrush
Redwing
Starling
Dunnock
Wren
Pied Wagtail
Grey Wagtail
Meadow Pipit
Rock Pipit
Water Pipit
Cetti's Warbler
Ring Necked Parakeet
Pheasant
Swallow (!)
Black Headed Gull
Common Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black Backed Gull
Lapwing
Redshank
Curlew
Snipe
Common Sandpiper
Cormorant
Mallard
Tufted Duck
Teal
Gadwall
Shelduck
Egyptian Goose
Canada Goose
Greylag Goose
Mute Swan
Grey Heron
Little Egret
Cattle Egret
Little Grebe
Moorhen
Coot
Water Rail
Kestrel
Peregrine
Sparrowhawk
Marsh Harrier
Buzzard
Total 65
Running Total 114
