DRAKELOW NATURE RESERVE: W/E 23rd September 2018. The week ended in a high with the passage of an Osprey through the site on the 23rd, Gadwall exceeded 100 and the Shoveler count went up to 62. Earlier in the week, on the 18th, seven Mandarins (six males) were in the NP, a minimum of four Little Egrets on the 19th, a Green Sandpiper 18th to 24th, a Hobby on the 18th and 19th and two Spotted Flycatchers on the 21st. Some 53 Swallows and 50 House Martins were counted through the area during a visible migration watch on the 23rd. Cormorant roost counts were carried out on the 19th when 304 birds entered the roost and on the 23rd the total was 314. Three Lapwings were present during the evening of the 23rd and earlier that date a Collared Dove had joined the year list. With thanks to AB, DH, AG and RW.