It’s been an interesting week, with the southward migration picking up pace and the weather starting to feel properly autumnal. Thursday saw 13 Whooper Swans over No.4 bed, along with a passing Ruddy Shelduck which was in company with Pink-footed Geese. This was just the fourth record of the species at Woolston and though they are currently classified as escapes, that status is currently under review and we may one day see them added to our official list. Redwings have been passing through all week in small numbers and Thursday saw the first few Fieldfares and Bramblings, too. This morning was the monthly Wetland Birds Survey (WeBS) and despite the blustery and showery conditions our collective efforts produced some decent counts of our water-birds. In addition it was the best morning so far for thrush passage, with nearly 1,200 Redwings counted between the showers. Highlights, though, were the discovery of a Great Crested Grebe with small young on its back - surely our latest ever breeding record - and Dan Owen’s sighting of a Yellow-browed Warbler on No.4 bed. These delicate little warblers breed in Siberia and winter in south-east Asia, though a small but increasing number stray to the UK every autumn, peaking in October and we now expect to see them most years. Photo of a Wren Cheers David Bowman (with Dan Owen, David Spencer, Brian Baird and Brian Martin)

After being away for a couple of weeks, it was good to be back yesterday, undertaking a visible migration session No.1 bed. While it was on the cool side at dawn, the day slowly warmed and the combination of clear skies and a light westerly breeze was promising. In the event, southward passage was relatively light, though it did produce a couple of sightings of species which are hard to find on the Reserve, a single Golden Plover and three Tree Sparrows. It was also good to see our first Jack Snipe of the autumn drop in. Other counts included: 160 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Common Snipe, 21 Stock Doves, 1,020 Woodpigeons, 19 Jays, 41 Skylarks, 3 Swallows, 4 Grey Wagtails, 146 Meadow Pipits, 3 Siskins and 1 Yellowhammer. We rounded off the morning by looking for butterflies and were pleased to find a late Clouded Yellow, 3 pristine Painted Ladies and 6 Red Admirals.
Photo of a Painted lady Cheers David Bowman (with Dan Owen and Helen Wynn)