Monday 11th November 2013

The true highlight of the day were 4 Bewick's Swans that came in off the sea at Long Nab, the year's first record but the arrival of Thrushes, mainly Blackbird was equally if not more noteworthy.
Between Long Nab and South Cliff a minimum of 6546 Blackbird (including over 3600 through Castle Hill in just over 2 hours!) came in off the sea, mostly between 10am and 1pm, many continued west throughout the day leaving only a few along the coast by the evening. Also arriving in from the east during the busy Thrush period were 1 Snipe, 4 Skylark, 1048 Redwing, 31 Song Thrush, 202 Fieldfare and 68 Starling.
Also on the move were 7 Mallard south, 7 Wigeon south and 2 Goosander north.
Elsewhere along the coast were 8 Goldcrest and 1 Lesser Redpoll, the Great Northern Diver was still showing by the Harbour Mouth, 50 Purple Sandpiper were in the roost there and at Potter Brompton Carr there were 17 Whooper Swans (no general access).

Blackbirds at Long Nab - Chris Bradshaw