Crossbill, Dartford

Wheatear - Orcombe Point.

A joy to be out on the patch this morning with autumn migrants moving west and east. Virtually no wind but nice and overcast. Totals included 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Crossbill, 70+ Meadow Pipits, 45+ Pied Wagtails, 4+ Redpolls, 70+ Goldfinches, c90+ Linnets, 25+ Chaffinches, 45+ Swallows, 35+ Siskins and 5 Reed Buntings. Also - 1 Firecrest, 1 Wheatear, 33+ Robins, 8 Goldcrests, 12+ Blackbirds, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 3 Stonechats, 1+ Sparrowhawk, 1 Peregrine, 1 Cirl Bunting, 4+ Greenfinches, 33+ Stock Doves, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Green Woodpecker, and 1 Grey Wagtail.

A minute's look off Mudbank produced 27 Great Crested Grebes and 1 Whimbrel. A flock of c15 Skylarks flew very low upriver.

Yesterday - Orcombe - 13 Blackbirds, 8 Goldcrests, 9+ Chiffchaffs, 15+ Greenfinches, 2 Cirl Buntings, 7 Stock Doves, 4 Starlings, 30+ Siskins, 2/3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Coal Tit, 35+ Pied Wagtails, 2 Song Thrushes, 11+ Chaffinches, 2 Grey Wagtails, 50+ Meadow Pipits and 70+ Linnets.

An afternoon walk on Woodbury Common with Lu produced a nice flock of 16 Crossbills.
Mudbank - c580 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 242 Shelduck, 23+ Great Crested Grebes, c95 Black-tailed Godwits, 21 Ringed Plovers, 8 Sanderling, 1 Turnstone, 2 Grey Plovers, 7+ Redshank, c1000+ Wigeon and c90 Carrion Crows.
8/10 - Orcombe for an hour before work in the drizzle - 1 Dartford Warbler, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Collared Doves, 7+ Chiffchaffs, 5 Goldcrests, 4 Stock Doves, c50+ Meadow Pipits, 1 Blackcap, 11+ Chaffinches, 46+ Siskins, 1 Coal Tit and 7+ Goldfinches.

Mediterranean Gull.