LAST DAYS OF OCTOBER

Another still and sunny morning on Tuesday 30th highlighted here at the park pond with the blue sky reflected off the water. A good mixture of ducks have gathered in recent days on the pond with up to 24 shoveler being as high a count for here. The gadwall numbers will increase as winter progresses from the current six whilst mallard and teal come and go in varying numbers each day. At least 25 mallard were present this morning with a similar number of teal hiding close to the edge.

The little egret high tide roost in a willow tree at the pond reached a new local high here of 12 birds. Seeing the tree decorated with these bright white shapes, reminded me that Xmas is just round the corner!
The brent geese numbers are continuing to slowly build up in the grazing fields with 200 seen feeding on the grass.
This eye-catching giant toadstool beside the pond looks like someone's football lying on the grass. As there was quite a good showing of them last year in this general area, I collected one for my supper - several suppers to be precise. Although it's very edible, it's texture was rather spongy like marshmallow when cooked and made for a strange addition to my pasta sauce!


The moth trap was operated on both Wednesday and Thursday nights at the park with low numbers recorded. Although there has been no wind, the skies have been clear and the temperature has dropped sharply during the night producing quite a dew. One of the regular moths seen over the last month has been this common mallow, pictured above.

This was one of ten species noted with feathered thorn, green brindled crescent, feathered ranunculus, large yellow underwing, flounced chestnut, yellow-line quaker, November sps, setaceous hebrew character also seen, as was this large wainscot pictured below.


Local birdwatchers have been busy walking various corners of the Island in recent days.
Richard Brown saw a short-eared owl, 4 stonechat and a kingfisher between the Youth Camp and Coopers Beach on Monday.

Also on Monday Andy Field saw a red-throated diver off the Esplanade, whilst along Reeveshall, there were 3 stonechat, green sandpiper, marsh harrier seen. On Pewit Island in the Pyefleet 400 dunlin, 300 black-tailed godwits, 30 knot, 30 golden plover and 30 grey plovers roosted for the high tide. A scan through 76 brent geese revealed 24 youngsters.

At Maydays Farm, Martin Cock saw a further 4 stonechat, short-eared owl, 4 marsh harriers and 50 skylarks.
On Tuesday Andy was at Reeveshall again, where there were 4 red-breasted mergansers in the Pyefleet, 2 stonechats, grey wagtail near the pool, 4 to 5 marsh harriers and a merlin chasing some finches on Langenhoe Marshes.