Over the weekend

A much better weekend for vis with good numbers of Fieldfare 1487,Redwing 1941,Woodpigeon 974,Chaffinch 54,Greenfinch 20
and Starlings moving very close to the ground  wnw 1841.Hoping for a big move of Woodpigeon at the begining of November but some big numbers to the east of Northowram means I may have miised it this year.??

Last week

A poor week with no big arrivals of Thrush's and not many woodpigeons despite perfect conditions.On wednesday a very frustrating large  Pipit found in fading light was probably a Rock pipit,it was running around the puddles and tractor tracks and I got a few glimses of plumage a pale throat,streaked flanks and pale tips to tertials but no calls or outer tail colour.
4 Bramblings,2 whooper swans and a few 100+ Woodpigeons were the best of a bad weeks vis.A bit better with moths and a Common darter was a good find locally in late October...The beast of Ogden was a real treat..........

Over the weekend

A great weekend for vis -mig started with a record count of 17 Jays south on sat morning.A brilliant skein of 650+ Pink feet with pure blue sky backdrop was the best of the autumn so far ,first big move of Woodpigeon,Starlings and Redwings and first gooseanders of the autumn .Skylarks,Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtails thining out and Swallows were last seen on the 8th.

Motorway Birding

A quick trip to Scotland today produced some good motorway birding
800 Pink footed goose s/e
500  Pink footed goose... east
12 Whooper swans  south
8 Common Buzzard locals
80 Lapwing blogging
14 Pied Wagtail south

Recent sightings

The last of the swallows have just about gone and the first of the winter Thrush's have started to trickle in should be a big influx of thrushes before the weekend .Pink feet have been seen the last couple of days and the pain of the yellow browed warbler was eased with a fly over Rock pipit today,another one for the self found list.For the last 5 years when Ive taken the kids to the beach ive allways chased the rock pipits till they fly over my head calling,it paid off today in the swirling mist one shot through calling 3 times.There were quite a few inland records today so there must be a move on.Snow Bunts next,???