First signs of Winter

October has arrived with cooler winds and a flurry of early winter migrants. A decent walk early today turned up the first Firecrest of the autumn and a splendid Hobby along the beach. Offshore we saw the first autumn Red-throated Diver fly south and a smart juvenile Mediterranean Gull bobbed up and down on the sea in front of us! Flocks of Meadow Pipits, Reed Buntings, Linnets and Goldfinches flew north into the NW wind. Alba Wags and a Grey Wagtail passed high overhead. A Common Buzzard was mobbed by Crows in the fields and 2 Shags hurtled south.