September 7th 2011

A few like minded folk were on farborough bank as soon as the gates opened hoping that yesterdays gales which continued as blustery overnight would have brought in something. In what turned out to be a cracking day the following were seen at the pond in 3 visits today.

Manx Shearwater: I was lucky enough to spot one while standing with Colin, Mark and Tim minutes after our arrival about 500 yards off shore. It occasional came closer in the morning but by the afternoon was much more obliging. At one stage it was claimed to have been eaten by a Greater Black-backed Gull but on our second visit I found it quiet happily resting off the sailing club and it was still present at 5:30pm.
Little Gull: juvenile out in centre
Black Tern: juvenile out in centre
Common Tern: 7 arrived mid-day
Hobby: Mark spotted 2 over lin croft point and not surprisingly they took great interest in the hundreds of hirundines present.
Ruff: one on farborough bank
Ringed Plover: 3 on farborough spit
Little Ringed Plover: 2 on farborough spit
Dunlin: 11 either on farborough bank or spit
Greenshank: 2
Knot: juvenile on farborough spit
Curlew Sandpiper: juvenile found by the Bobs in the afternoon on farborough bank
Little Stint: juvenile on farborough spit
Turnstone: juvenile farborough bank
Common Sandpiper: minimum of 3 present
Swift: 25+
Swallow 500
House Martin 400
Sand Martin 200
Wheatear: 2 on farborough and toft bank
Yellow Wagtail: at least 10 present
Raven: 2
Buzzard: 3

We also had time to visit Napton Reservoir which had
Reed Warbler
Chiffchaff 2
Sand Martin 20
Raven 2
Hobby
Buzzard 3
Grey Wagtail

Magic and it starts all over again tomorrow

Richard