Always an autumn target...
Unseasonably calm, warm and sunny which, while very pleasant wasn't conducive for big numbers of grounded migrants, always stuff to see though! Birds on or over the deck comprised 6 Grey Wagtails, 15 Siskins, 9 Chaffinches, 8 Chiffchaffs, 2 Goldcrests, 2 Jays, a Black Redstart, 8 Blackcaps, a Stonechat, a Mistle Thrush, 18 Song Thrushes, 25 Blackbirds, 3 Sparrowhawks, 2 Wheatears, 8 Swallows, a Great-spotted Woodpecker, 2 Brambling, 20 Robins, a Rock Pipit and a Reed Bunting.
With the sun in our faces from the get go, seawatching was tricky but birds offshore did include 193 Brent Geese, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, a Curlew, 66 Cormorants, 3 Shelduck and 8 Barnacle Geese.
There was a great insect list as well (for October!) in the fine conditions which included a very late Brimstone, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Holly Blue, Small White, 2 Clouded Yellows, an influx of 20+ Common Darters and a few Migrant Hawkers.
Ringing: Sparrowhawk 1, Song Thrush 4, Blackbird 7, Chiffchaff 4, Blackcap 4, Dunnock 2, Grey Wagtail 1, Chaffinch 1, Wren 1, Robin 1, Brambling 1, Goldfinch 1
First noted in 2009, Cypress Carpet is slowly colonising introduced conifers in Felixstowe