A couple of WeBS counts for October and November, plus a rarity and just a few birds of interest.
The count for October was influenced by contractors who worked almost daily including the weekends from 8th to 16th digging out weeded & silted ditches and removing a young forest of willows before they became any bigger, so starting with Octobers WeBS count in mid-month was as follows = Little Grebe 2. Cormorant 1. Grey Heron 4. Greylags 64. Wigeon 6. Mallard 45. Shoveler 5. Teal 207. Meanwhile the Great White Egret that was first seen on 18th was seen on 19th & 24th. A skein of Pink-footed Geese totalling c100 headed east on the 27th.
Minor highlights were fairly regular Goldcrests, but only a couple of Chiffchaff, Willow Tit and Raven.
The main moment of the month was a Hawfinch seen by CP & SB on the 21st, unfortunately like most birds of this species seen last year, it didn't linger.
Into November and who would have thought, even recently that Great Egret daily sightings would outnumber Little Egrets by 10 days to 3 days up to the 18th.. More Pink-feet passed over, with c100 again on 3rd and 2 Shelduck that were present most of the 10th had gone the next day.
Novembers WeBS count on 11th = Little Grebe 2. Grey Heron 3. Great White Egret 1. Wigeon 24. Mallard 14. Gadwall 6. Shoveler 4. Teal 216. Coot 1. Both Barn & Tawny Owl were seen on the 12th, but not subsequently. A Chiffchaff was present on 14th & 15th and the wintering Stonechat is still present and although at times, like all Stonechats can be elusive some days, but still easier to find than the once common Willow Tit of which the total sightings for the period mid-September to mid-November is a lowly 4 days and even then could be the same bird.
Mammal wise - Water Voles are seen much more than in recent years and are increasing, as are Grey Squirrels with these being the only other animal seen or reported.