Goldcrest influx: 13 October

Another very quiet day at Staines Moor. No hoped-for Yellow-browed Warbler or Firecrest, but a noticeable increase in Goldcrests (no doubt birds arriving on the east coast filtering through) with at least 19 counted, by far the highest day count for the patch, including 5 together in a mixed Long-tailed/Great/Blue Tit flock along Bonehead Woodland.

Goldcrest, Staines Moor, 13 October

Goldcrest, Staines Moor, 13 October

Goldcrest, Staines Moor, 13 October

Goldcrest, Staines Moor, 13 October

Other migrants on the ground included 7 Stonechat (4m, 3f), 4 (2H) Chiffchaff, 4 Skylark, 16+ Meadow Pipit and 1-2 Grey Wagtail (that might be wintering birds rather than on passage).

Passage overhead was almost non-existent but for 1m Siskin (over NE then circling and dropping into the willows at the north end of the Colne after I mimicked its call!), 4 Chaffinch N, 2 Greenfinch (W and NE), 4 Linnet NE. At dusk, a few Linnet flocks totalling 33 birds moving over NE were noted dropping down to roost in the scrub on the west side.

Also noted: 1+ Little Egret, 2 Reed Bunting (1m, 1f), another 2 Greenfinch, 1-2 Eurasian Sparrowhawk, 2 Red Kite, 2 Common Buzzard (locals), 3 Kestrel, 1m Pied Wagtail, 1H Cetti's Warbler (reeds in Colne by northern footbridge), 1f Common Pheasant, a Stoat running across the Moor Lane footpath (patch tick) and a female Migrant Hawker.

Stanwell Moor added 8 (5m, 3f) Eurasian Wigeon over E.