Wigeon passage increases

More of the same at the patch today (12 October). Some good passage of Eurasian Wigeon (mainly over Stanwell Moor) in the morning after the fog cleared with a total of 218 E including one superb flock of 103. Over Staines Moor: 8 Gadwall (mainly E), 1m Tufted Duck SE, 1 Red Kite SE, 3 Northern Lapwing S, 2 Mistle Thrush NW, 18 Magpie purposely S in a single flock, 6 Stock Dove S, 3 Chaffinch (2 SW, 1 SE) and 76 Woodpigeon (the first movement of the autumn) logged overhead in a couple of hours.

On the ground at Staines Moor: 1m Whinchat in the NW corner associating with Stonechats, 10 (5m, 5f) Stonechat, 3+ Grey Wagtail, 2 Little Egret along the Colne, 1+ Kingfisher, 2+ Common Buzzard along the west side (local birds), 2 Chiffchaff in with a Long-tailed Tit flock, 2+ Reed Bunting, 24+ Meadow Pipit, c20 Skylark, 3 Song Thrush and 2+ Kestrel. Just 1 Red Admiral seen today and a Red Fox.

Also, a Common Snipe W over Stanwell Moor, and a Eurasian Sparrowhawk over Stanwell Moor Village.

103 of the 218 Eurasian Wigeon over east today

Today's Whinchat

Chaffinches are now moving. East coast watchpoints such as Filey and Spurn are reporting movements ranging from tens to 224
over Gibraltar Point over recent days, and even London sites have logged good counts with 53 over Beddington Farmlands, 50 over
Hampstead Heath, and 44 over Richmond Park in 30 minutes on 3rd October. This is one of just three overhead today though.

Weather: Light SW wind, fog early morning, light overcast (8 oktas), cold.