October 26th 2018

GORING GAP: Relatively little was moving offshore and overhead this morning but I persisted for a few hours, rewarded for the most part by my first patch Brambling of the autumn as it called twice on its way east. A relatively close fly-by from a flock of three Common Scoters and two Red-breasted Mergansers was another highlight, the mergs breaking off to drop on the sea. 17 Dark-bellied Brent Geese moved west in flocks of nine and eight, but otherwise just 30 Gannets, 11 Common Gulls and nine Mediterranean Gulls were logged offshore. A Rock Pipit and two Reed Buntings flew over, while a redpoll, 13 Siskins, 77 Linnets, 180 Goldfinches, 16 Meadow Pipits and two Skylarks were logged. Some 90 Pied Wagtails were feeding in the churned up fields, a Stonechat was still in the fenced rough and two Goldcrests and a Chiffchaff were in The Plantation but I didn't do much of a walk today. Singles of Buzzard and Sparrowhawk put in appearances and the beach held a Curlew, 12 Ringed Plovers, eight Dunlin, six Sanderlings, 12 Oystercatchers and 11 Little Egrets. DKC