October 2008

The month commenced wet and windy, with occasional sunny breaks, as Atlantic fronts moved across the British Isles. High pressure dominated the second week, with occasional frosty and also foggy mornings, followed by a frontal system. An Atlantic ridge of high pressure spread over southern Britain from the 16th, bringing warm, sunny conditions until the 19th, when another frontal system reached the southeast. A narrow ridge of high pressure over the nearby continent brough more settled weather, though cooler, for a few days. Further frontal systems, competing with zones of high pressure, brought variable conditions towards the end of the month, generally colder with occasional rain interspersed with a few long sunny periods.

During a two-hour visit on the 1st, I got drenched when the skies opened but dried out quite quickly in the sun and strong west-southwest wind. As rain dominated the visit, few species were seen, but it was good to put LS Woodpecker on the October list - one flew SE towards the rarity hedge ash. A flock of nine BH Gulls flew most erratically S in the strong wind and a total of 28 Herring Gulls that flew NW included flocks of 15 and 10. After the wet front passed, a total of at least 30 House Martins flew into the wind.

On the 2nd, the sky was almost cloudless at times, with just a light westerly breeze. A juvenile Grey Heron flew from the reservoir, an adult Cormorant flew W and a total of 28 BH Gulls flew S or SW, with a dozen visiting the reservoir en route. A lone Skylark was disturbed from the Greensand Way stubble and close by at least seven Yellowhammers and a Chiffchaff were seen in the hawthorn copse. At least eight Jays were seen or heard, including two flying high E over the Deer Park, rather than W as would be expected of migrants, and at least five Siskins fed in the lake alders. A little later Bob saw about 20 Siskins there, four Chiffchaffs near the spruce copse in the Deer Park, two Blackcaps in the rarity hedge and an adult Common Gull at the reservoir. The sunny conditions encouraged a few insects to appear, including Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Large and Small Whites, Common Darted and Migrant Hawker.

A strong, cold, northwest wind blew on the 3rd, when the three pines by the lake produced the greatest interest, with two Treecreepers, Coal and LT Tits, Chiffchaff and a Goldcrest, all of which flew into the lake alders, where a flock of at least 10 Siskins was feeding. A Sparrowhawk circled high over the southeast corner and three single Kestrels were present.

After a cloudless night, there was a hard frost early on the 4th but high stratus soon covered the blue, even though it was still. A Tawny Owl hooted from the edge of the poplar wood, a Grey Heron flew NW, a Sparrowhawk, probably a female, flew into the tall beech trees on the eastern bank of the Deer Park and in the hawthorn copse, just to the northeast, a cock Blackcap, a Chiffchaff and three Yellowhammers were seen. In excess of 250 Woodpigeons continued to feed on the fallen grain. It rained continuously for much of the 5th, with a moderate southwest wind. Only a brief visit was made but it coincided with a Kingfisher visiting the reservoir before it flew off E. Four BH Gulls flew S and a flock of 14 Herring Gulls circled high overhead, as they moved NW, but very few passerines were noted.

Just an hour-long visit on the 6th, which was dry and mild, with patches of blue appearing, produced my 50th species for the month when two Bullfinches appeared in the rarity hedge, where a Chiffchaff was also feeding. During his visit, Bob noted quite a heavy southwesterly movement of gulls, including 67 Black-headed, 23 Herring and two Common Gulls. He also saw a male Sparrowhawk, which disturbed about 100 Woodpigeons from stubble. The 7th commenced damp, with low cloud over the Greensand Ridge but it brightened up by 9am. A Chiffchaff called near the fisherman's car park, a GBB Gull flew N, while 23 Black-headed flew S and seven Herring NW, and it was the turn of a female Sparrowhawk to disturb Woodpigeons from stubble. By midday rain and strong winds had arrived. Arriving just before dawn on the 8th produced a call from a female Tawny Owl in the Deer Park and a Barn Owl was seen flying into the barn nestbox – the first sighting since 10th August. Though there was mist over the Weald, it was bright and sunny on the patch. At least 200 Woodpigeons arrived from their roost to feed on the stubble fields and a flock of about 60 Herring Gulls flew S. A total of nine Redwings flew W – the first of the autumn and the Chiffchaff was still present by the car park.

The 9th was another bright and sunny day, commencing with early mist and a ground frost. A Kingfisher visited the reservoir briefly and two Chiffchaffs fed among the vegetation there. A total of 66 Herring Gulls flew S, while about 15 Black-headed fed at the reservoir. A male Sparrowhawk flew high NE, about 20 Siskins fed in the lake alders and the rutting stags made quite a din in the Deer Park. The fine weather continued on the 10th, though a southerly wind was responsible for blowing autumnal leaves from the trees. There was evidence of a small westerly movement of thrushes and finches, and totals of 16 Redwings, 20 Chaffinches and eight Greenfinches were noted. Mallard numbers had increased to 54 on the lake but only two Tufted Duck were seen and up to four Goldcrests were present in the spruce copse. Three rather distant large finches may have been Crossbills but confirmation of their ID wasn't possible. Dense fog prevented visits on both the 11th and 12th and only a brief early visit was possible on the 13th, when quite a few bats were seen flying over the lake. A flock of 16 LT Tits moved from bush to bush along the reservoir bank and a number of BH Gulls flew S during the hour after dawn.

With rain forecast for the 15th, I attempted a census on the 14th but dense fog blanketed the area from dawn until after 10am and totals of 470 birds of just 38 species were not really representative of mid-October. Two Tawny Owls hooted before dawn, when there was little evidence of fog. A cock Pheasant and seven hen birds were seen on the reservoir bank, and five BH Gulls spent much of the morning at the reservoir, sometimes perching on a power line. Three plus two Goldcrests were noted, along with two Coal Tits, but no summer visitors or winter thrushes were seen. A total of 54 Chaffinches suggested that an influx had taken place and 37 Robins were also noted, most uttering snippets of song. It was dull and damp early on the 15th, with a light southwest wind and during a ninety-minute visit few passerines were either heard or seen. A total of 32 BH Gulls flew south, while one visited the reservoir, two Herring and one adult GBB Gull flew W along the Greensand Ridge and another four Herring Gulls flew S. A count, equal to the annual peak of 77 Mallard, was noted again on the lake, where one adult Little Grebe was still present but there was no sign of any Tufted Duck.

The weather was fine and dry for the census on the 16th, with sunny periods from mid-morning. However, despite the much-improved conditions, compared with the 14th, a surprisingly low total of only 37 species was recorded. This is the lowest October census total and compares with the mean of 48 and the previous lowest of 41 in both 1996 and 2007. The total number of birds was an improvement compared with the 14th, but 607 is nearly 400 below the October census mean. However, if the exceptional count of 5,220 in 1991 is omitted the mean drops to a more realistic 797, which was exceeded in three of the last five years. The total included some 4,000 winter thrushes flying W and not one was seen today. Neither Tawny nor Barn Owl performed, which was an ominous start under the cloudy sky, with a cool, light to moderate west-northwest wind. The first Greylag Goose of the month flew SW and six House Sparrows were also the first. A Chiffchaff was seen in the old orchard and a total of nine Goldcrests was the highest so far for the year, but an analysis of the species being seen at present shows that a low 40s total was all that could realistically be expected. Bob saw a few Siskins in the lake alders but there was no sign of them later. I might also have added Bullfinch, Greenfinch and Coal Tit, but species like Grey Heron, Cormorant, Sparrowhawk,Kingfisher, LS Woodpecker, Skylark and Treecreeper have not appeared frequently and the last Tufted Duck was seen on the 14th. Also, all of the following species have yet to appear in October: Canada Goose, Meadow Pipit, Grey and Pied Wagtail, Fieldfare, Brambling, Linnet and Reed Bunting. One also anticipates additional fly-over species like Brent Goose, maybe a raptor, possibly a wader or two and more gull species than 11 Herring and 33 Black-headed Gulls. What a change from 1990-1992, when a peak count of 56 species was noted in each of the three years. A very tatty Speckled Wood was seen and both Common Darter and Migrant Hawker were also noted.

The 17th was virtually cloudless, still and with a light frost below the Greensand Ridge. During a ninety-minute visit, a Kingfisher flashed across the reservoir, a Linnet called from atop the rarity hedge ash and a flock of about 30 flew from the Spindlewood orchard. About 80 Mallard, an adult and a juvenile Little Grebe were present on the lake, and nearby a small mixed feeding flock included LT Tit, Goldcrest and a Treecreeper.

A bank of dense cloud to the southeast cleared slowly from 7am on the 18th, when it was again still and the weather looked promising, however, dense fog blanketed the area from around 8am-10am, after which it was cloudless and warm. Before the fog descended, two Fieldfares flew W, followed by three flocks of Redwings totalling about 200 birds, but the promise of a large movement was thwarted and very little seen for a couple of hours. A total of 22 BH Gulls either visited the reservoir or flew S, at least 85 Mallard were counted on the lake, once the fog lifted, and a Chiffchaff was seen near Gravitt's Cottage.

It remained overcast during the morning visit on the 19th, with a light southwesterly wind and sunny intervals in the afternoon. A total of 110 Mallard was noted on the lake, to which a Tufted Duck had returned. A high-flying flock of some 96 Woodpigeons passed S, a lone Grey Heron flew E and a GBB Gull N. Totals of about 20 Fieldfares and 25 Redwings were present but no summer migrants were seen.

An attractive sky at dawn on the 20th became cloud covered by 8.30am in a light to moderate southwest wind. In the first hour, a steady trickle of gulls flew S, totalling 66 Herring, 66 Black-headed, and just one Common Gull. Later another 15 BH Gulls flew S or visited the reservoir and a lone GBB Gull flew NW. A flock of 12 LT Tits and a Chiffchaff moved through the reservoir bank wild rose and a smaller flock, in the three pines in the Deer Park included at least five LT Tits and a Treecreeper. An immature male Sparrowhawk chased a small passerine and disappeared, the first two Pied Wagtails since mid-July alighted on the newly drilled and rolled arable north of the reservoir and at least 12 Yellowhammers flew along the Peens Lane hedgerow.

Following heavy rain and a moderate wind the previous afternoon, the 21st was dry and still but overcast until about 8.30am, when the cloud began to break and sunny periods followed. Ploughing of the Greensand Way arable had commenced and attracted a flock of 13 Magpies. At least seven Yellowhammers were also present nearby but though only four Fieldfares and one Redwing were noted, there was a loose flock of at least 10 Song Thrushes in the Atlas cedar area of the Deer Park. An immature Cormorant flew S, a Grey Heron flew from the reservoir and a total of just 34 BH Gulls was noted, mainly flying S.

The visit on the morning of the 22nd was a photographer's delight, though I had to depart by 9.30am. It was cloudless and still, with a hard frost and dense, low-lying fog across the Weald but bright sunshine over the Greensand Ridge. A flock of about 150 Woodpigeons flew high S and seven Pied Wagtails were attracted to one of the newly ploughed Greensand Way arable fields. Two Goldcrests and a Coal Tit fed in the three pines by the lake, where at least seven Siskins were feeding in the alders and just 15 Mallard had returned to the lake, after the disturbance caused by the removal of the boat the previous day, and an adult Little Grebe was still present. A flock of LT Tits and at least five Yellowhammers flew along a Peens Lane hedgerow.

It was mainly dull, with just occasional sunny periods and light rain during the visit on the 23rd. A flighty flock of about 20 Siskins flew around the marsh and lake alders. A flock of about 100 Woodpigeons and 10 Stock Doves fed on the recently drilled reservoir arable, while the newly drilled Greensand Way arable fields attracted at least 50 Woodpigeons, two Green Woodpeckers and nine Pied Wagtails, four of which harried a male Sparrowhawk, as it flew over. It was interesting to note that both a hen and a cock Pied Wagtail showed a pale, yellowish wash to their faces, but at 50 metres and in poor light the photos were not good.

The overcast, dull and damp, but mild conditions on the 24th produced fewer than 30 species in two-and-a-half-hours, after which a heavy drizzle fell. Two Tawny Owls hooted before dawn but there was no sign of a Barn Owl. A Cormorant flew SW and probably in excess of 25 Siskins flew around and fed in the lake alders, two Bullfinches were seen and at least a dozen Yellowhammers were again present in the Peens Lane hedgerows. During an afternoon visit a number of Common Darters were seen around the reservoir.

In contrast, the 25th was a cold, frosty morning, with a blanket of fog covering the Weald and not a breath of wind. A passage of gulls SE comprised a total of 53 Herring Gulls, including flocks of 21 and 16, and just 12 BH Gulls. A male Sparrowhawk was again seen and an alder by the lake held a small number of Siskins and Goldfinches, while two Little Grebes could be seen on the lake. A probably post-roost flock of about 30 Redwings flew SW but relatively few passerines were noted. Later, the Greensand Way arable attracted a splendid variety and number of birds, including a flock of 27 Yellowhammers, 12 Pied Wagtails and eight Meadow Pipits, and a lone Skylark flew SW. A flock of 32 Greenfinches was also seen feeding in the churchyard.

The 26th was mild and wet, with a moderate southwest wind. Shortly after arriving, I received a call on my mobile from Barry Wright and was soon heading towards West Hythe to see the first Green Heron for Kent. Just six BH Gulls had been noted visiting the reservoir before I departed. By way of contrast again, the 27th was initially still and cloudless, with excellent visibility across the Weald. The birding, however, was disappointing, with no winter thrushes or finches seen and just four Yellowhammers, four Meadow Pipits and one Pied Wagtail present on the Greensand Way arable, and A male Sparrowhawk circled high over the ridge, mobbed by two Carrion Crows, one Skylark flew over and there were good counts of 10 Moorhens on the reservoir and 16 at the lake.

A hard frost coated the area on the 28th, which was cloudless, still and cold during the visit, when a greater variety of species was noted. A flock of at least 60 Starlings flew W, a flock of at least 30 Greenfinches fed on the plentiful cones of a cypress in the churchyard, some 10 Fieldfares were present and 10 Pied Wagtails fed on the Greensand Way arable. A Goldcrest, a Coal Tit and a Treecreeper were also seen and an adult and an immature Little Grebe were still present on the lake.

It was again cold on the 29th, with a light northeasterly breeze, but the overnight cloud prevented frost forming and the cloud slowly cleared. The first deer cull of the autumn meant the lake was devoid of duck but the two Little Grebes were still present. A Kingfisher visited the reservoir, where the Moorhen numbers had increased to 13, presumably including some from the lake. There was a small westerly movement of winter thrushes and a marked increase in the numbers of Fieldfares present, mainly in the Spindlewood orchard, where nearly 80 were noted and a total of about 60 flew W. Some 55 Redwings flew W and just two were seen in the rarity hedge ash, where the first Brambling of the autumn was also perched. Few Goldfinches were seen but one did provide a photographic opportunity, but none of the Fieldfares was particularly obliging.

Following overnight rain, the 30th was mainly overcast and cold, with a light to moderate east wind. No more than about 10 Fieldfares and 20 Redwings were seen, but there were two Meadow Pipits in the Spindlewood orchard and certainly 30 Yellowhammers dropped onto Peens Lane for gravel and possibly 50 were present, with a few Chaffinches, a pair of Bullfinches and two House Sparrows. An immature male Sparrowhawk and a pair of Kestrels were seen but only eight Mallard had so far returned to the lake. A BH Gull was back on a much favoured perch at the reservoir.

It was bitterly cold, with a light northeast wind early on the 31st, but frost free after further rain overnight. Two lone cock Pheasants were seen and a line of eight hens birds fed along the edge of the Peens Lane arable. On the other side of the hedge, a minimum of 30 Yellowhammers, at any one time, were seen on the road again, with constant movement to and from the hedgerows. Three, probably post roost flocks of Fieldfares, totalling 133 birds, flew W or NW but few Redwings were noted, and at least five Goldfinches and five Siskins fed in the old orchard alders.

It was disappointing not to add any new species to the year list and a total of just 63 species is the lowest ever for October.