4 to 8 October 2007 Local sightings and diary update.

Dark bellied Brent Goose at WWT Slimbridge 7 October 2007

8 October 2007 Regular WWT visitors had another good day with the discovery of 9 (eight more) Dark-bellied Brent late morning. I did see the six European White-fronted Geese at 0750 but they were elusive for most of the day. Passage was much in evidence with 22, 3, 1 and Redwing, 3 and 1 Redpoll, 3, 1 and 2 Siskin over, 4 Goldcrest, 8 Chiffchaff and a male Blackcap in the Decoy but no sign or sound of the Firecrest. At least 5 Spotted Redshank were around the reserve. Migrant Hawkers are still on the wing with 8+ seen today.

7 October 2007 Despite what folk think I actually missed out on the bird of the day which would have been a reserve tick for me, a Firecrest was seen around the Holden Tower late morning. The Dark-bellied Brent was still on the Dumbles and six European White-fronted Geese arrived late morning. I did pick up 7 Common Scoter through the murk on the estuary which looked to have 5 males and 2 females on the morning tide. A flock of 11 Siskin were in the alders along the Holden pathway.

6 October 2007 A Dark-bellied Brent was among the Barnacle Geese. On the estuary 11 Little Egret, 4 Ringed Plover, 2 Little Stint, 68 Dunlin, 2 Grey Plover, 4 Golden Plover and 2 Wheatear , 13 Siskin and 12 Stonechat were the passerine highlights.

5 October 2007 No birding or news.

4 October 2007 A Painted Lady was a garden tick for me.