October 31st

One hundred and two Tufted Duck this evening along with two Little Grebe's , a single drake Pochard and two Grey Wagtail. Five drake Shoveler flew over but didn't land. And twenty LBB Gulls on the water along with a single Herring Gull (MS). We finished the month with 66 species , five up on last year.

October 30th

A female Goldeneye the first returning bird this autumn , along with four drake Pochard winters comeing . Two Little Grebe's and five Common Gulls . Grey Wagtail and. 59 Lesser Black Backed Gulls and around 300 Black Headed. (MS).

October 29th

Eleven Wigeon first thing this morning along with two Shoveler and seven Cormorant over. Mark had the two Common Gulls again they seem to be hanging around. And possibly a adult Yellow-legged Gull but was not fully identified. A real shame as it would have been our first record for the mere. Fieldfare's are still moving over early mornings with a few small flocks again today.

October 28th

Female Shoveler and Teal early morning along with two Wigeon and a first winter Common Gull. Also Kingfisher , Sparrowhawk , Grey Wagtail , 35 Rook , 12 Redwing , Siskin , 2 Raven ,2 Cormorant and Great Spotted Woodpecker. 46 species recorded. (MS).

October 27th

Mark had 72 Pink Footed Geese fly over heading south east at 9-00 this morning and found a very late Common Sandpiper on the mere late afternoon , which I managed a couple of photos in fading light. Also throughout the day , Great Spotted Woodpecker , 68 Tufted Duck , two flocks of Fieldfare's 50/13 , two Buzzard's , Treecreeper , a single drake Pochard ,Jay , Redwing , Meadow Pipit , Grey Wagtail , and around 300 Wood Pigeons moving south. Late afternoon Andy had four Shoveler drop in and two Common Gulls a 1st winter and a adult.

October 25th

Last couple of days produced twelve Redwing , Jay , Treecreeper , Lesser Redpoll , three Skylark , Black Swan , Bullfinch and Goldcrest ( MS).

October 23rd

We now have four Pochard back on the mere one female and three drakes. And on the 19th there were ten Wigeon. Redwings and Fieldfare's are now starting to arrive with birds passing over daily, especially just after first light. Around 100 Lesser Black Backed Gulls came in late afternoon. Also Buzzard and Sparrowhawk over.

October 22nd

Female Pochard this morning along with Tawny Owl , Grey Wagtail , Buzzard , Sparrowhawk and Skylark over. Mark and Tracey added Siskin this afternoon flying over .The Black Swan arrived again early morning but was soon chased off by the resident Mute Swans.

October 10th

A single female Teal this morning along with Buzzard , Nuthatch , Great Spotted Woodpecker and Grey Wagtail. This afternoon Speckled Wood , Small Copper and Small White. This morning's Buzzard showed really well hanging effortlessly just above the tree line on a light breeze.

October 7th

A pair of Gadwall asleep in the middle of the mere this afternoon.

October 5th

A call from Mark at 16-40 saying he had a first winter Mediterranean Gull in with around 250 Black headed Gulls on the water. I missed it by two minutes due to works traffic , a journey that usually takes me four minutes in the car took fifteen. All the gulls flew up off the water just before my arrival , when they all settled again the bird could not be re-located .It's first record in four years and takes Marks personal total for the year to 99, nice one fella.

October 1st

Grey Wagtail , Kingfisher , Coal Tit , Goldcrest , Buzzard , Treecreeper , Nuthatch , Bullfinch , Chiffchaff and Great Spotted Woodpecker best of the bunch this morning. The Grey Wagtail showed well allowing some reasonable images.