Scaup

Distant and fairly brief views of this morning's Scaup upriver from Mudbank so unsure of sex/age etc. but possibly an immature or eclipse drake?

On day two of a training course so a short spell on Orcombe from 0655 - 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Firecrest, 2 Cirl Buntings, 7+ Goldcrests, 2 Reed Buntings, 4 Song Thrushes, c140 unidentified finch sp,  7+ Redpolls, 2+ Bramblings, 6 Blackbirds, c20 Meadow Pipits, 24+ Linnets, c170 Chaffinches, 11+ Greenfinches, c20 Pied Wagtails, 1 Stonechat, 24+ Siskins, 2 Chiffchaffs, 30+ Goldfinches, 7 Starlings, 4 Stock Doves, 1 Bullfinch and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

A Scaup off Mudbank was the stand-out highlight amongst large numbers of wildfowl (mostly Wigeon and Brent Geese) but unfortunately no time for proper counting.

Woodpigeons heading west over the top fields on 27/10.

Curlew - Mudbank.

28/10 - Orcombe (quick visit before all-day course) highlight was a fly-over male  Bullfinch. Otherwise vis-mig much reduced with just 160+ Woodpigeons, 34 Chaffinches, 12 Greenfinches, 4 Starlings, 55+ Goldfinches and just 2 Siskins. Also 1 Cirl Bunting.

Mudbank - 34 Great Crested Grebes (including a flock of 27).

27/10 - Lu's birthday but managed an hour on Orcombe (top fields) where I logged 1 Redpoll, 1 Golden Plover, 2 Stonechats, 1 Reed Bunting and 6300+ Woodpigeons.

 Pale-bellied Brent Geese - Mudbank.

26/10 - Orcombe - 1 Swallow, 5 Brambling, 1 Yellowhammer, 13000+ Woodpigeons, 130+ Chaffinches, c60 Goldfinches, c20 Pied Wagtails, 10+ Linnets, 4 Chiffchaffs, 5 Greenfinches, 16+ Redpolls, 2 Blackbirds, 1 Song Thrush, 4 Goldcrests, c30 Siskins, 3 Reed Buntings, c30 Skylarks, 32 Starlings and 11 Stock Doves.

Mudbank - c640 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and at least 7 Pale-bellied Brent Geese.

An afternoon stroll on the pebbled heaths - 13 Tufted Ducks, 1 Goosander, 1 Teal, 18 Mallard, 7 Crossbills, 7 Fieldfares and 4+ Redpolls.