It felt incredibly autumnal today, not just because of the weather, but because of the birds too. A true autumn gem was ringed at the Carey Secret Garden Ringing Station, in the form of a Yellow-browed Warbler. Once a huge rarity 20-30 years ago, they’re now pretty much annual, although mostly only ever one or two per autumn. That said, there are hundreds (possibly thousands) in the UK currently due to the strong easterly air flow that was in place last week and the week before, so I doubt this will be the last we see for the rest of the month. Also ringed at Carey Secret garden was a Dartford Warbler which is a pretty good bird for the River Piddle floodplain plus a late Tree Pipit, and Grasshopper Warbler. Ballard Down was ‘hopping’ with birds this AM, mostly Common Chiffchaff with c150 along the southern slope. This fall was combined with a stunning passage of Swallow and House Martin also along the south ridge of Ballard, along with 2 Yellow Wagtail 10 Stonechat and the first few Linnet, Siskin and Chaffinch flocks on the move. A Great White Egret was in Brands Bay and last night 25 Cattle Egret went into the Pergins Island (Holes Bay) roost, with 10 flying out and over Lytchett Bay this morning. The most amazing total today was when 20 Marsh Harrier came out of the west harbour roost. Up until today, 7 to 8 had been more typical. The reason or cause for this sudden spike is unknown, but it will be interesting to see if the number continues to climb or falls away. The White-tailed Eagle pair were favouring Middlebere and Hartland today and on the Lower Piddle Floods there was a single Ruff and 3 Green Sandpiper. On Lytchett Fields a lone Spoonbill was feeding and 17 Greenshank were still still spread across the site.

Swallow and House Martin migration – South side of Ballard Down

Yellow-browed Warbler – Carey Secret Garden Ringing Station

Yellow-browed Warbler – Carey Secret Garden Ringing Station

Sparrowhawk – Carey Secret Garden Ringing Station