3rd October

Another October scorcher saw little in the way of rare migrants but large numbers of common passage birds kept everyone counting through the morning. A minimum tally of 450 Meadow Pipits were matched for the first time this autumn by passing Alba Wagtails. Chaffinch, Siskin and Reed Buntings continued in numbers and the first signs of thrush passage began with an increase in Blackbird numbers in the top fields. The highlight of the day came from the return of the Hoopoe to the horse paddocks in Easton, whilst nearby there were 2 Firecrests at the Grove.

The Hoopoe seems to be enjoying the rich supply of invertebrates supplied in the horse grazed paddocks, occasionally disappearing when the local Kestrels start harassing it © Roger Hewitt: