A much colder day, with a still blustery north-westerly wind first thing, after yet more overnight rain in the form of a cold front. Later in the morning the wind eased down but it remained dry – if cloudy and cool.
The first Fieldfare of the autumn was logged, along with a Ring Ouzel and further new arrivals of Redwings and Chaffinches. There was a Spotted Flycatcher in St Helen's Copse (possibly the same long-staying individual seen before the recent bad weather set in), whilst a House Martin was among some 25 or so Swallows that passed through as Chris Baillie enjoyed a reviving coffee after earlier seawatching. The latter yielded 360 Kittiwake, 360 auk sp., 102 Gannet, 5 Shag and 3 Manx Shearwater.
Two Common Gulls, three Mediterranean Gulls and three Great Black-backed Gulls passed MS Oldenburg en route from Lundy to Bideford during the late afternoon.
Ringing total 81 comprising: 1 Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff, 8 Blackcap, 11 Goldcrest, 1 Blackbird, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Robin, 9 Chaffinch, the female Bullfinch, 6 Goldfinch and 39 Siskin (with an average weight of 12.5g today, compared with 10.8g on 15 Oct, doubtless filled to capacity with niger seed!). Rob Duncan assessed the Robin and Song Thrushes as showing characteristics typical of continental rather than British breeding birds.
Records provided by Chris & Carol Baillie and Rob Duncan.
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