This month will be remembered more for the unusual weather than anything else – we had the warmest November in ten years and the wettest month this year. See weather report at the end.

70 species of bird were seen in the Alcossebre area in November.
Highlights were:-
Six species were first November records Honey Buzzard, Short-toed Eagle, Hen Harrier, Water Rail, Whimbrel and Brambling.
Merlin and Hawfinch were the first this year, and Long-tailed Tits were the first seen this winter.

The full list with comments follows.
10 Balearic Shearwaters on the 10th was the only record this month.
Northern Gannets were scarce with only two sightings.
While only three Shags were seen, a total of 252 Great Cormorants passed through.
A single Grey Heron flew east on the 27th.

Two single Little Egrets were outnumbered by up to 16 Cattle Egrets.
A late Honey Buzzard flew south on the 5th.
Two single Short-toed Eagles were a November first, on the 1st and 5th.
A fine male Hen Harrier was hunting over the rural farmland on the 26th.
A first this winter
Single Northern Sparrowhawks and Common Buzzards were seen throughout the month.
A late Booted Eagle flew east on the 23rd.
Up to four Common Kestrel were wintering.
A Merlin on the 23rd was the first this year.
A Water Rail seen on and off at the sewage pond was a first November record.
A Whimbrel at the coast on the 14th was a first November record.
Also on the 14th a single Arctic Skua was the only one seen this month.
A single Mediterranean Gull seen on the 14th at Las Fuentas beach was the lowest count in ten years.

Compared to that 88 Audoiun´s Gulls was a good November total.
Like wise 64 Sandwich Terns flying south west on the 1st was above average numbers for November.
Wood Pigeon (27) and Collared Dove (125) numbers continue to rise.

Little Owl numbers were at a ten year low with only single birds seen.
A late Pallid Swift was seen on the 14th.
A single Common Kingfisher at the coast on the 14th was the only record.
Up to six Hoopoes seen daily were usual November numbers.

11 resident Crested Larks were out- numbered by up to 109 wintering Skylarks.
Up to 30 Crag Martins were seen throughout the month.
Two late Barn Swallows flew south on the 2nd November.
Up to 42 Meadow Pipits were wintering, average for November.
Single Grey Wagtails were out numbered by up to 25 White Wagtails.
While a maximum of 26 wintering Robins were below average numbers, up to 24 Black Redstarts were above average.

The female Blue Rock Thrush seen last month disappeared to be replaced by a male.
While one or two Blackbirds seen were normal numbers only 14 Song Thrushes were counted well below the November average.
Up to three Cetti´s Warbler were holding winter territories.
Zitting Cisticola´s numbers were at a ten year low with only five birds seen.
One or two Dartford Warblers were wintering in the coastal scrub, being constantly harassed by the resident Sardinian Warblers!
Sardinian Warblers were in good numbers with up to 25 birds seen daily.
While up to 14 Blackcaps counted were aveage for November, up to 35 Common Chiffchaffs was the best November since 2004.
Seven Long-tailed Tits seen from the 5th to the 13th were the first this winter.
A single Southern Grey Shrike wintering was the poorest number in ten years.
A maximum of 15 Common Magpies was average November numbers.
As expected Finch numbers increased as resident birds were joined by a winter influx. Chaffinch up to 105, Greenfinch 23 birds, Goldfinch up to 91, Linnets 42 birds, and Serin up to 223 birds.
A first November sighting of a Brambling in amonst other finches was seen on the 2nd November.
A Hawfinch seen at the sewage pond on the 26th was the first this year.
There was a much smaller influx of Buntings. Single Cirl Buntings, single Rock Buntings, up to seven Reed and Corn Buntings.

Alcossebre Weather in November, 2011.
This November turned out to be the warmest in ten years, and also the wettest month this year.
The average day temperature was 22C 72F.
The highest day temperature was 26C 78F on the 12th.
The coldest days were on the 27th, 28th and 30th at 19C 66F.
The average night temperature was 17C 62F.
The warmest night was on the 21st at 25C 77F.
The coldest night was on the 30th at 11C 51F.
Total rainfall for the month was 12.7 inches 324mm over 11 days.
The 21st was the wettest day with 3.4 inches.
Compared to 2010 it was 4C warmer by day and 8C warmer by night.

This month will be remembered more for the unusual weather than anything else – we had the warmest November in ten years and the wettest month this year. See weather report at the end.

70 species of bird were seen in the Alcossebre area in November.
Highlights were:-
Six species were first November records Honey Buzzard, Short-toed Eagle, Hen Harrier, Water Rail, Whimbrel and Brambling.
Merlin and Hawfinch were the first this year, and Long-tailed Tits were the first seen this winter.

The full list with comments follows.
10 Balearic Shearwaters on the 10th was the only record this month.
Northern Gannets were scarce with only two sightings.
While only three Shags were seen, a total of 252 Great Cormorants passed through.
A single Grey Heron flew east on the 27th.

Two single Little Egrets were outnumbered by
up to 16 Cattle Egrets.
A late Honey Buzzard flew south on the 5th.
Two single Short-toed Eagles were a November first, on the 1st and 5th.
A fine male Hen Harrier was hunting over the rural farmland on the 26th. A first this
winter
Single Northern Sparrowhawks and Common Buzzards were seen throughout the month.
A late Booted Eagle flew east on the 23rd.
Up to four Common Kestrel were wintering.
A Merlin on the 23rd was the first this year.
A Water Rail seen on and off at the sewage pond was a first November record.
A Whimbrel at the coast on the 14th was also a first November record.
Also on the 14th a single Arctic Skua was only
one seen this month.
A single Mediterranean Gull seen on the 14th at Las Fuentas beach was the lowest count in ten years.

Compared to that 88 Audoiun´s Gulls was a good November total.
Like wise 64 Sandwich Terns flying south west on the 1st was above average numbers for November.
Wood Pigeon (27) and Collared Dove (125) numbers continue to rise.

Little Owl numbers were at a ten year low with only single birds seen.
A late Pallid Swift was seen on the 14th.
A single Common Kingfisher at the coast on the 14th was the only record.
Up to six Hoopoes seen daily were usual November numbers.

11 resident Crested Larks were out- numbered by up to 109 wintering Skylarks.
Up to 30 Crag Martins were seen through-out the month.
Two late Barn Swallows flew south on the 2nd November.
Up to 42 Meadow Pipits were wintering, average for November.
Single Grey Wagtails were out numbered by up to 25 White Wagtails.
While a maximum of 26 wintering Robins were below average numbers, up to 24 Black Redstarts were above average.

The female Blue Rock Thrush seen last month disappeared to be replaced by a male.
While one or two Blackbirds seen were normal numbers only 14 Song Thrushes were counted well below the November average.
Up to three Cetti´s Warbler were holding winter territories.
Zitting Cisticola´s numbers were at a ten year low with only five birds seen.
One or two Dartford Warblers were wintering in the coastal scrub, being constantly harassed by the resident Sardinian Warblers!
Sardinian Warblers were in good numbers with up to 25 birds seen daily.
While up to 14 Blackcaps counted were aveage for November, up to 35 Common Chiffchaffs was the best November since 2004.
Seven Long-tailed Tits seen from the 5th to the 13th were the first this winter.
A single Southern Grey Shrike wintering was the poorest number in ten years.
A maximum of 15 Common Magpies was average November numbers.
As expected Finch numbers increased as resident birds were joined by a winter influx. Chaffinch up to 105, Greenfinch 23 birds, Goldfinch up to 91, Linnets 42 birds, and Serin up to 223 birds.
A first November sighting of a Brambling in amonst other finches was seen on the 2nd November.
A Hawfinch seen at the sewage pond on the 26th was the first this year.
There was a much smaller influx of Buntings.
Single Cirl Buntings, single Rock Buntings, up to seven Reed and Corn Buntings.

Alcossebre Weather in November, 2011.

This November turned out to be the warmest in ten years, and also the wettest month this year.
The average day temperature was 22C 72F.
The highest day temperature was 26C 78F on the 12th.
The coldest days were on the 27th, 28th and 30th at 19C 66F.
The average night temperature was 17C 62F.
The warmest night was on the 21st at 25C 77F.
The coldest night was on the 30th at 11C 51F.
Total rainfall for the month was 12.7 inches 324mm over 11 days.
The 21st was the wettest day with 3.4 inches.
Compared to 2010 it was 4C warmer by day and 8C warmer by night.

This month will be remembered more for the unusual weather than anything else – we had the warmest November in ten years and the wettest month this year. See weather report at the end.

70 species of bird were seen in the Alcossebre area in November.
Highlights were:-
Six species were first November records Honey Buzzard, Short-toed Eagle, Montagu´s Harrier, Water Rail, Whimbrel and Brambling.
Merlin and Hawfinch were the first this year, and Long-tailed Tits were the first seen this winter.

The full list with comments follows.
10 Balearic Shearwaters on the 10th was the only record this month.
Northern Gannets were scarce with only two sightings.
While only three Shags were seen, a total of 252 Great Cormorants passed While only three Shags were seen, a total of 252 Great Cormorants passed
through.
A single Grey Heron flew east on the 27th.

Two single Little Egrets were outnumbered by up to 16 Cattle Egrets.
A late Honey Buzzard flew south on the 5th.
Two single Short-toed Eagles were a November first, on the 1st and 5th.
A fine male Montagu´s Harrier was hunting over the rural farmland on the 26th. Another November first.
Single Northern Sparrowhawks and Common Buzzards were seen throughout the month.
A late Booted Eagle flew east on the 23rd.
Up to four Common Kestrel were wintering.
A Merlin on the 23rd was the first this year.
A Water Rail seen on and off at the sewage pond was a first November record.
A Whimbrel at the coast on the 14th was a first November record.
Also on the 14th a single Arctic Skua was seen, the only one this month.
A single Mediterranean Gull seen on the 14th at Las Fuentas beach was the lowest count in ten years.

Compared to that 88 Audoiun´s Gulls was a good November total.
Like wise 64 Sandwich Terns flying south west on the 1st was above average numbers for November.
Wood Pigeon (27) and Collared Dove (125) numbers continue to rise.

Little Owl numbers were at a ten year low with only single birds seen.
A late Pallid Swift was seen on the 14th.
A single Common Kingfisher at the coast on the 14th was the only record.
Up to six Hoopoes seen daily were usual November numbers.

11 resident Crested Larks were out- numbered by up to 109 wintering Skylarks.
Up to 30 Crag Martins were seen throughout the month.
Two late Barn Swallows flew south on the 2nd November.
Up to 42 Meadow Pipits were wintering, average for November.
Single Grey Wagtails were out numbered by up to 25 White Wagtails.
While a maximum of 26 wintering Robins were below average numbers, up to 24 Black Redstarts were above average.

The female Blue Rock Thrush seen last month disappeared to be replaced by a male.
While one or two Blackbirds seen were normal numbers only 14 Song Thrushes were counted well below the November average.
Up to three Cetti´s Warbler were holding winter territories.
Zitting Cisticola´s numbers were at a ten year low with only five birds seen.
One or two Dartford Warblers were wintering in the coastal scrub, being constantly harassed by the resident Sardinian Warblers!
Sardinian Warblers were in good numbers with up to 25 birds seen daily.
While up to 14 Blackcaps counted were aveage for November, up to 35 Common Chiffchaffs was the best November total since 2004.
Seven Long-tailed Tits seen from the 5th to the 13th were the first this winter.
A single Southern Grey Shrike wintering was the poorest number in ten years.
A maximum of 15 Common Magpies was average November numbers.
As expected Finch numbers increased as resident birds were joined by a winter influx.
Chaffinch up to 105, Greenfinch 23 birds, Goldfinch up to 91, Linnets 42 birds, and Serin up to 223 birds.
A first November sighting of a Brambling in amonst other finches was seen on the 2nd November.
A Hawfinch seen at the sewage pond on the 26th was the first this year.
There was a much smaller influx of Buntings.
Single Cirl Buntings, single Rock Buntings, up to seven Reed and Corn Buntings.

Alcossebre Weather in November, 2011.

This November turned out to be the warmest in ten years, and also the wettest month this year.
The average day temperature was 22C 72F.
The highest day temperature was 26C 78F on the 12th.
The coldest days were on the 27th, 28th and 30th at 19C 66F.
The average night temperature was 17C 62F.
The warmest night was on the 21st at 25C 77F.
The coldest night was on the 30th at 11C 51F.
Total rainfall for the month was 12.7 inches 324mm over 11 days.
The 21st was the wettest day with 3.4 inches.
Compared to 2010 it was 4C warmer by day and 8C warmer by night.

I saw 71 species in the Alcossebre area this October.
Like September there were no new species added to the Alcossebre list.
Two species were first October records – Greater Flamingo and Wren.

Most of the wintering species arrived this month.
Here is a timetable of their arrivals:-
1st October the first Crag Martins.
2nd October the first Arctic Skua and Stonechats.
3rd October the first Song Thrushes.
5th October the first Robins and Black Redstarts.
10th October the first Common Buzzard and Meadow Pipits.
14th October the first Skylarks and Chaffinches.
15th October the first Common Chiffchaffs.
17th October the first Wren.
19th October the first Grey Wagtail.
22nd October the first Dartford Warbler and Reed Bunting.
25th October the first Rock Bunting.
26th October the first Blue Rock Thrush - a fine female.

24 Species were noted on passage. These were :-
55 Balearic Shearwaters flew east on the 22nd.
A total of 19 Northern Gannets passed through with 12 on the 29th.
910 Great Cormorants were counted this month, with the highest day total 360 birds south-west on the 17th.
16 Grey Herons in total with 10 south-west on the 14th.
Also on the 14th four Greater Flamingos flew east – Ebro bound.
With only one Little Egret seen on passage on the 18th, this was easily out numbered by Great White Egrets with a total of seven birds through. Including six flying east on the 24th October.

It was a very poor month for birds of prey.
One Black Kite south west on the 10th.
One Short-toed Eagle on the 5th.
One Booted Eagle south west on the 14th.
One Common Buzzard on the 10th.

Apart from 10 wintering Stone Curlews, the only other wader seen was two Northern Lapwings flying east on the 12th October.
Six single Arctic Skuas were seen chasing Sandwich terns and Black-headed Gulls through out the month. A good total for here.
A total of 399 Sandwich Terns were counted this month, with 90 birds south west on the 18th.
Some 565 Barn Swallows passed through the area, with the highest day count of 98 birds on the 5th October.
Only seven Blue-headed Wagtails passed through, the last on the 18th.
White Wagtails built up to a peak of 36 birds on the 26th October.
The last Common Redstart was seen on the 22nd -a female.
A total of eight Northern Wheatears passed through with the last on the 31st.

The last Reed Warbler was seen on the 14th October.
The last Subalpine Warbler - a female – was seen on the 11th.
A total of 15 Willow Warblers passed through, highest day count five birds on the 4th October.
The last Spotted Flycatcher was seen on the 10th, and unusually no Pied Flycatchers were seen.
Two Southern Grey Shrikes were seen, on the 12th and 18th.

Peak numbers for our wintering birds were :-
22 Skylarks, 49 Meadow Pipits, single Grey Wagtail,

24 Song Thrush, 2 Cettis Warbler, single Dartford Warblers, 24 Blackcaps, 14 Chiffchaffs, 75 Common Chaffinch, two Rock Buntings, single Reed Buntings.
Alcossebre Weather in October in 2011.
The first two weeks in October carried on with the fine and sunny weather that we enjoyed in September. With above average temperatures and no rain.
The last two weeks were more unsettled with mainly sunny/cloudy spells at best. We had five days with overcast and dull conditions and some rain.
There were also some days with moderate to strong northerly winds.
There was an overnight thunderstorm with rain on the 24th October.
The average day temperature was 24C 75F.
Highest day temperature was 29C 84F on the 3rd and 5th.
The coldest day was on the 24th at 20C 68F.
The average night temperature was 16C 60F.
Highest night temperature was on the 7th and 14th at 21C 70F.
The coldest night was on the 26th October at 10C 50F.
Compared to 2010 it was 2C cooler by day, but the same night temperature.
It was drier this October – 1.1 inch 28mm, in 2010 there was 4.8 inches 122mm.

There were 73 species seen in the Alcossebre area in September,2011.
No new species were added to the list.
Five species were first records for September. White Stork, Red Kite, Little Ringed Plover, Green Sandpiper, and Common Cuckoo

A full list of birds seen with comments follows :-
Northren Gannet – One or two birds seen daily was normal numbers.
Great Cormorant – 18 birds maximum was a nine year average.
Grey Heron - A total of 50 birds passed through, biggest flock 21 birds on the 17th September.
Purple Heron – only one bird on passage, flying south-west on the 7th.
White Stork - One bird flying south west, inland on the 4th, was a first September record.
Greater Flamingo – seven birds flew low over the sea heading east on the 5th.
Cattle Egrets - a total of 76 birds were seen during the month, biggest flock 16 birds.

Little Egret - only one sighting, 17 birds flying south over the sea on the 6th.
Great White Egret – four birds flying east on the 18th, and two birds flying south on the 27th, both groups over the sea.
Eight species of bird of prey were seen this month.
Black Kite - two single birds flew south west inland on the 27th and 28th.
Red Kite - my first September record was a single bird flying north on the 30th.
Short-toed Eagle – single birds seen through out the month, nearly all perched on electric pylons.

Marsh Harrier - one bird flew south west inland on the 7th.
Northern Sparrowhawk – four birds passed through this month, more than usual for September.
Booted Eagle – a total of six birds passed through, on the 18th (3 birds), on the 20th (2 birds) and a single on the 29th. All inland.
Osprey – the first bird of autumn passed through on the 28th.
Common Kestrel - one to four birds were seen through out the month, most of them local birds.

Moorhen - with the sewage pond now completely dried up, the only place with Moorhens was the Torre estate pond, one or two birds only.

Despite the lack of habitat we still had four species of wader through.
Little Ringed Plover - one bird on Capycorp beach on the 23rd, was a first September record.
Northern Lapwing - two single birds flying north on the 17th and 22nd
Green Sandpiper – two single birds seen, one on the 22nd at Torre estate pond, the other on the 24th at the dried up sewage pond.
Common Sandpiper - one record of six birds on the 5th on Torre beach.
Gull numbers were low this month.
A maximum of 58 Black-headed Gulls, 56 Audouin´s Gulls and 75 Yellow-legged Gulls passed through.
Sandwich Tern - a total of 408 birds passed through.
A good total for September.
Pigeon and dove numbers show marked contrast.
Wood Pigeon numbers were at a nine year high with a maximum of 24 birds.
Collared Dove numbers were average over nine years at 67 birds.
Turtle Dove numbers were at a nine year low with only single birds seen.

Little Owl numbers were healthy at a daily maximum of four birds seen.

Common Cuckoo – a juvenile bird seen on the 12th in rural farmland, was a first September record.

Swift numbers poor.
With only one or two Pallid Swifts seen and no Common or Alpine Swifts seen,it made it a below average month for all three species.

Common Kingfisher – a single bird seen at the sewage pond on the 17th looked slightly bemused at the lack of water.

European Bee eater – a total of 73 birds were noted passing through, biggest flock 40 birds. Last date seen the 5th September.

Hoopoe – were seen daily with the highest number 15 birds on the 19th.

Crested Lark - numbers were at a nine year high with up to 16 birds counted.

Martins numbers down and Swallow numbers up.
Sand Martin numbers were higher than usual with a total of 74 birds passing through this month.
House Martin – numbers were much lower than normal with only a total of 142 birds through.
Barn Swallow – passage numbers varied from day to day, but by the end of the month a total of 2167 birds were counted. Biggest passage on the 27th with 340 birds per hour flying south on a broad front.
Red-rumped Swallow - after their first successful breeding, Red-rumped Swallow numbers reached a nine year high, with a maximum daily count of 10 birds.

Blue-headed Wagtails - a total of 36 birds passed through with the biggest flock eight birds on the 23rd. Quite low numbers, have had up to 32 birds in one flock.
White Wagtail – their numbers were also well down with only single birds seen.
Common Nightingale - only one bird seen, on the 7th. Again well below for September.

Six Common Redstarts (average), 12 Whinchats (below) and 10 Northern Wheatears (average) passed through this month.

Seven species of warbler seen this month.
Cetti´s Warbler - the first bird of autumn appeared on the 17th, thereafter single birds seen and heard.
Zitting Cisticola - with only a maximum of four birds seen daily, this was a nine year low. More of the grassland fields are getting ploughed up with a knock on effect on this species.
Reed Warbler - a passage bird turned up at Capycorp lagoon on the 28th.
Normally up to three birds are seen at the sewage pond.
Subalpine Warblers - a total of 16 birds passed through this month, highest day total four birds on the 23rd. Very few males seen.
Sardinian Warbler - with a maximum daily total of 13 birds = normal numbers.
Blackcap – the first bird of autumn was seen on the 16th, maximum day total six birds, above average.

Willow Warbler - a total of 19 birds passed through, highest day total five birds. Lowest total over nine years.

Flycatcher numbers increase.
Spotted Flycatcher - 20 birds passed through this month a higher than average total. Highest day count , four birds on the 16th.
Pied Flycatcher - 42 birds passed through, highest day total 12 birds on the 6th
September.

Golden Oriole - the last of the breeding Golden Orioles was seen on the 9th.

Shrike numbers low.
Woodchat Shrike – one juvenile on the 9th was the only bird seen this month, a nine year low.
Southern Grey Shrike - only two birds seen, one on the 21st, and one on the 29th. Both passage birds rather than wintering birds – didn´t show up again.

Common Magpie - numbers above average with a maximum daily total of 19 birds.

Finches up and down in numbers.
Greenfinch - are in average numbers with a maximum daily total of 21 birds.
Goldfinch - numbers are down at 73 birds maximum – 2005, 144 birds max.
Linnet - numbers are slightly above for September at 6 birds max.
Serin – numbers slightly down at 24 birds max.

Only one species of bunting seen.
A single male Cirl Bunting seen on the 23rd was a surprise not usually seen until October.

Alcossebre weather in September 2011.
Overall it was a dry, sunny month, with above average temperatures.

The average daytime temperature was 30C (86F).
The highest day temperature was 34C (93F) on the 1st September.
The coolest day was on the 18th at 25C (77F).
The average night temperature was 20C (68F).
The warmest night temperature was on the 1st at 26C (78F).
The coolest night temperature was on the 28th at 17C (62F).
Total rainfall for the month was only 0.5 inches (13mm) on the 24th after an early morning thunderstorm.

Winds were mainly light or gentle in the mornings, and gentle to moderate in the afternoons.
Wind directions usually changed mid morning when the sea warmed up.
Dying out early evenings.

Compared to 2010 it was 2C warmer by day and 1C warmer by night.
It was a lot drier – 1.8 inches of rain in 2010.

61 species were seen in the Alcossebre area in August.
No new species were added to the Alcossebre list this month.
Hightlights were first sightings of the year for Spoonbill and Hobby.
First autumn sightings for Stone Curlew, Black Kite, Sand Martin, Blue-headed Wagtail, Northern Wheatear, Subalpine Warbler, Willow Warbler, Pied Flycatcher and Common Starling.
The full August list follows:-
Northern Gannet – only two single birds were seen offshore.
Herons and Egrets.
A total of 33 Grey Herons passed through this month.
Biggest flock, 22 birds on the 28th.
Only one Purple Heron passed through, on the 28th in company with the Grey heron flock.
One to three Cattle Egrets were seen, mainly in the Rural Farmlands.
A total of 30 Little Egrets passed through, biggest flock 11 birds on the 28th.
A surprise sighting was 22 Spoonbills flying south-west over the sea on the 31st, the first this year and the biggest flock seen in ten years.
Birds of Prey.
Six birds of prey were seen this month.
A Black Kite was seen heading east inland on the 8th, before changing it´s course to south westerly. A first this autumn.
One or two Short-toed Eagles were seen on their favouirite pylons through out the month.
Two female Montagu´s Harriers passed through on the 8th and 13th.
Both inland sightings.
Single resident Common Kestrels were seen, with no migrant birds noted.
A single Hobby flying south west on the 28th was the first seen here this year.
Four single Eleonora´s Falcons were seen, one of which – a dark phase bird was hunting over the rural farmland.

A Stone Curlew flying up from a ploughed field on the 14th August, was a first August record. Gordon Cox was with me that morning to see it.

In a poor month for wading birds only four Common Sandpipers were seen.
Gulls.
Gull numbers were low also with only three Mediterranean Gulls, 100 Black-headed Gulls, 38 Audouin´s Gulls, 54 Yellow-legged Gulls and one Lesser Black-back Gull passing through.
In comparison to the gulls, a total of 429 Sandwich Terns passed through.
Pigeons and Doves.
Wood Pigeon (18) and Collared Dove (62) numbers continue to hold up, but Turtle Dove numbers are well down at 3 birds maximum.
The last Great Spotted Cuckoo juveniles were seen up to the 11th, while Red-necked Nightjars were heard up to the month end.
Little Owl numbers continue on a low with only a maximum of two birds seen daily.

Swift numbers were also low with only 6 Common Swift and 7 Pallid Swift passing through.
Bee eater numbers easily exceeded this with a total of 197 birds counted passing through and probably a lot more missed!

Up to four Hoopoes were seen daily well down on the usual August numbers – 15 maximum in 2007.
A maximum of 10 Crested Larks seen daily were average numbers.
Martins and Swallows.
The first Sand Martin of autumn was seen on the 28th August.
While 180 House Martins passed through, they were easily out numbered by Barn Swallows at 1365 birds.
There were still one or two Red-rumped Swallows hanging around, mainly young birds in moult.