End of September report from Carr Vale. On 25th 69 Pink-footed Geese flew north-west, Shoveler reached an autumn high of six, a Little Egret, eight Golden Plover, Hobby, Peregrine, eight Jays south-west and two more south-east, a real site rarity nowadays in the form of a Tree Sparrow, the only record so far this year (first since 2016) and a Redpoll. On 26th still six Shoveler, adult Common Gull (the only one this month), 70 Stock Doves and a Hobby. The 27th produced seven Shoveler and two Peregrines whilst on 28th five Pochard, 20 Common Buzzards, four Golden Plover and the first Merlin of the year (a female) were logged whilst there was a count of 55 Collared Doves around Longcourse Farm Duckmanton (viewed from the mound). The event of the day however was the first decent movement of Pink-footed Geese with 520 in eight skeins north-west between 0832 and 1045, 310 east in five skeins between 0930 and 1025 and 140 north in three skeins between 1128 and 1137. They were clearly confused! The early risers scored well on the 29th when a Great White Egret came in at 0755 but it only stayed fifteen minutes before departing east at 0810. Also seen were three Little Egrets (two of which flew straight through south), 100 Pink-footed Geese (east in two skeins), a flock of 11 Wigeon flew north (highest count of the autumn), an autumn high count of 72 Teal, at least four Shoveler, 18 Golden Plover, two Peregrines, 30 Sky larks (south-west) and the first Redwing of the autumn. A juvenile Marsh Harrier flew west on 30th and a flock of 11 Goosander flew north shortly afterwards. Other birds on the 30th included 66 Teal, five Shoveler, Peregrine, Redwing and a calling Cetti’s Warbler in the south marsh.