9th Oct - sunny morning, becoming cloudier, 14C, light shower later afternoon, light easterly

About 20 Redwing were in the trees behind the village, plus a few more over, all moved off SW.  A couple of Goldcrest were in the church yard confers and a Mistle Thrush in the Yew tree, probably after the berries as a Blackbird was.

I visited Shawell lagoons this morning, not many Gulls were present, however a Kingfisher made an appearance, three Snipe were resting at the waters edge and a Grey Heron stalked.  106 Lapwing came in from the nearby arable field to rest and preen.  A single Pied and grey Wagtail were around the pools.

On the arable field, where the Lapwings had been feeding previously, the number of Pied Wagtails had reach 37, plus a few Starlings and a Meadow Pipit, two Kestrels circled over before moving off.

On an adjacent arable field recently sown two Buzzards were searching the ground closely for worms and other morsels.

During the afternoon I visited Stanford reservoir which proved most interesting.  I first viewed the dam and quickly spotted a dark Pipit, it was a Rock Pipit, the first for me at this site and a scare visitor to these parts.  I managed some record shots, fortunately Chris came along and was able to digiscope it to give a bigger image.

On the dam also five each of Pied and Grey Wagtails were flitting about, often chasing each other. Continuing around the reservoir it was apparent there were numerous Chiffchaff usually with Tits, Treecreeper and Goldcrests all busily feeding.  Two Raven flew over, occasionally calling.  At the inlet end 22 House Martins were feeding along and over the trees.

On the water were about 100 Wigeon, two female Pintail, four Gadwall, two Teal, a Goldeneye along with Mallard, Tufted Duck, Coot, Moorhen and Mute Swans.  A Water Rail called from the reed bed, two Little Grebe stayed in its shelter and a Grey heron Stalked the edge.

Two Jay were calling loudly, as did a Green and Great-spotted Woodpecker.