The jokes gone too far now. A few days of SW winds in October would be acceptable, even a week or two, but an entire month takes the biscuit. With easterly dreams fading away fast and the vis-mig spectacle only available for a few more weeks we’re in desperate need of a wind swing. A few more passes of rain and strong winds on and off throughout the day hampered any decent birding opportunities but our first night survey of the ‘winter’ proved semi productive with the first 2 Woodcock of the winter back on winter territory in the Lower From Valley along with 50-75 Common Snipe and 1 Jack Snipe ringed. The Stilt Sandpiper was in Middlebere, the juv male Hen Harrier was on Hartland Moor with 3 Merlin. Firecrests were on Brownsea, in the Arne car park, Knowle Beach, Studland and Upton CP. 

Jack Snipe – Lower Frome Valley – Paul Morton