Birding is still quite slow this autumn and it is now
getting late in the season. As a result winter visitors are still building in
numbers with daily increases in the numbers of both Water Pipits and White
Wagtails. Most of these birds are seen around the perimeter of the settling
pond, in the spray fields and on the grassy playing fields. Over 100 birds of
each species can now be seen whereas a month ago the first returning birds had
not arrived. Mixed in with these birds are a few lingering Yellow Wagtails,
birds that will depart soon to other areas.
Very few other migrants / winter visitors were seen with the
exception of waders. Five Ruff are still on the settling pond with six Little
Stints. Three Sand Martins were still catching insects over the settling pond
and two Turkestan Shrikes were on the spray heads in the spray field.