October 23rd 2018

GORING GAP: A couple of season-firsts for me on and over the sea, with four Red-breasted Mergansers and a Red-throated Diver passing. Also moving were two Mute Swans, a Common Scoter, an unidentified auk, 170 Gannets and 14 Common Gulls, while a Great Crested Grebe was close inshore. A Lapwing called from somewhere on the beach before a Carrion Crow betrayed its presence and pushed it off northwest. Three Reed Buntings flew over, along with 46 Meadow Pipits, two Siskins and Grey Wagtail. Two Grey Plovers on the beach were my first of the season for the patch, with 27 Sanderlings (four 1CYs), nine Turnstones, 13 Ringed Plovers and four Dunlin also present. Also noted were two Chiffchaffs, 35 Pied/White Wagtails, 20 Linnets, 10 Skylarks, a Grey Heron and five Mediterranean Gulls. DKC