Please note that this is my own personal blog and therefore the views and opinions expressed, although in no way intended to be controversial, are not necessarily those shared by my employers Abbotsbury Tourism Ltd. and Ilchester Estates . All photos are © Steve Groves unless otherwise credited.



Tuesday 15 December 2020

Swannery Bird Sightings - November 2020...

 

Waterfowl... 

Brent Geese were seen on five dates, with a peak of around 80 briefly on the 17th. All were 'Russian Brants' (aka Dark-bellied Brent Geese) bar a single 'Pacific Brant' (aka Black Brantthat was with the aforementioned flock on the 17th. Surprisingly perhaps (considering that they are now annual on The Fleet), the latter is the first of this form to have ever knowingly occurred at The SwanneryThe only other 'true' geese seen were Canada Geese with around 100 present daily

A Black Swan (the first since May) arrived on the 28th and was still present on the 30th; around 600 Mute Swans were of course present throughout; whilst the four Whooper Swans were also present virtually daily but they also made occasional excursions to nearby Rodden Hive.

Nine Egyptian Geese (the first since January) were seen on the 5th, with between six and one then seen daily until the 9th; Shelducks were present throughout with a peak of at least 30 on the 7th.

Egyptian Geese, Abbotsbury Swannery, November 2020 © Steve Groves


All the expected dabbling ducks were present, with peak counts of 100 Shoveler; 6 Gadwall; 300 Wigeon; 400 Mallard; 200 Pintail; and 600 Teal.

All the usual diving ducks were noted too, with peak counts of 250 Pochard; 250 Tufted Duck; 3 Scaup; and 5 Red-breasted Merganser.

Scaup (ad. female), Abbotsbury Swannery, November 2020 © Steve Groves

Scaup (2 1cy drakes & ad. female), Abbotsbury Swannery, November 2020 © Charlie Wheeler


Shorebirds...

The only Oystercatcher was seen on the 30th, the same date that the Lapwing flock peaked at 250whilst Golden Plovers were noted on four dates, with a peak of 30 on the 9th. 

The three Black-tailed Godwits seen on the 3rd were the only ones of the month; as was a Knot on the 5th; Dunlin though were seen regularly, with a peak of 14 on the 5th; Common Snipe were noted regularly, with peaks of three seen on several dates; singles of both Common Sandpiper and Green Sandpiper were seen  regularly, so possibly one of each may be set to over-winter, as it would seem are up to four Redshanks.

Gulls...

The three regular small gulls were all seen daily and all peaked in number on the 21st when over 250 Black-headed Gulls, over 100 Mediterranean Gulls and over 200  Common Gulls were all present.  The three regular large gulls were all seen virtually daily too with a peak count of 100 Herring Gulls on the 30th but both Lesser Black-backed Gulls and more surprisingly Great Black-backed Gulls were only noted in single figures.


Other Seabirds...

Gannet lingered briefly on the 1st; whilst Cormorants were present daily, with over 50 present in the roost on the 4th at least.

GannetAbbotsbury Swannery, November 2020 © Charlie Wheeler


Large Wading Birds...

Cattle Egrets continued to roost nightly, with a fairly consistent count of 22 recorded either leaving or arriving at the Swannery roost. There were also of course regular single figure counts of Little Egrets and Grey Herons; whilst a single Great Egret was seen regularly too.

Great Egret & Cattle EgretsAbbotsbury Swannery, November 2020 © Charlie Wheeler

Great EgretAbbotsbury Swannery, November 2020 © Charlie Wheeler

Great EgretAbbotsbury Swannery, November 2020 © Charlie Wheeler

Other Water-birds...

Water RailsMoorhens and Coots were all present throughout, with 410 of the latter recorded during the Wetland Bird Survey.

Little Grebes peaked at  over 25 on the 5th; whilst Great Crested Grebes peaked at only seven on the 16th. 

Single Kingfishers were seen regularly.

Hawks, Owls & Falcons... 

Single Sparrowhawks were noted on two dates;  but Marsh Harriers were seen regularly... mostly singles but with two on the 4th and 5th; whilst single figures of Buzzards were seen daily.

Single Barn Owls  were seen regularly and a Tawny Owl was heard on the 25th, although both species were almost certainly present throughout

Kestrels were present in single figures daily but single Peregrines on were seen on the 12th and 13th only.

Other Non-passerines... 

A no doubt recently released Red-legged Partridge was seen on the 20th, whilst Pheasants were relatively numerous throughout of course.

Collared Doves, Feral Pigeons and Wood Pigeons were seen daily in low double figures but over 2,000 of the latter flew west on the 4th, followed by 200 on the 5th. The only Stock Doves were also overhead migrants, with  at least 20 flying west on the 4th.  

Great Spotted Woodpecker and Green Woodpecker were both present in single figures throughout.

Passerines...                               

Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook and Carrion Crow were again all fairly numerous throughout: Ravens were seen in single figures regularly: whilst Jays were seen on three dates with a peak of three on the 5th.

Coal Tit Blue TitGreat Tit and Long-tailed Tit were all relatively numerous but the single Bearded Reedling on the 10th was the first since October 2019. 

Bearded ReedlingAbbotsbury Swannery, November 2020 © Charlie Wheeler

Cetti's Warblers and Chiffchaffs were relatively numerous throughout but the only other warbler noted this month was a  Yellow-browed Warbler on the 3rd. 

At least one Firecrest was again seen fairly regularly; whilst ten plus Goldcrests were present throughout. 

Wrens were relatively numerous and Starlings peaked at over 500 on the 4th. 

The first Redwings and Fieldfares of the season finally arrived, with at least one of the former present on the 3rd followed by at least 10 on the 19th and again on the 24th; whilst 200 of the latter paused briefly on the 19th. Blackbirds and Song Thrushes were present throughout, albeit apparently in single figures; whilst the only  Mistle Thrush was seen on the 4th.  

Robins and Stonechats were present throughout but only evident in single figures apart from a count of 10 of the latter on the 4th. 

Around 20 each of Skylarks and Meadow Pipits were seen virtually daily; whilst Rock Pipits were also seen regularly with a peak of four on the 19th. Pied Wagtails were present throughout with up to 100 roosting nightly; and single Grey Wagtails were seen virtually daily too.
 
House Sparrows and Dunnocks were relatively numerous throughout.

Single Bramblings were noted on the 4th, 10th and 24th; Chaffinches were relatively numerous throughout; the only Bullfinch was heard on the 22nd; Greenfinches were seen fairly regularly but only in single figures, with a peak of three on the 5th; Linnets were seen regularly until the 10th at least, peaking at 20 on the 5th; two  Lesser Redpolls were noted on the 4th and again the 5th but with none subsequently; Goldfinches were present in low double figures throughout; whilst Siskins continued their good autumn into the first week with 50 seen on the 4th and 5th but none were noted after the 6th.

Reed Buntings were relatively numerous throughout but the only Yellowhammers were two on the 9th.

... And that's it for this post except to thank Alan Barrett, Kev Butler, Joe Stockwell, and Charlie Wheeler for their sightings and where applicable for the use of their photos. 

December sightings to follow shortly.

Steve Groves.

Friday 27 November 2020

Swannery Bird Sightings - October 2020...

 

Waterfowl... 

Pale-bellied Brent Goose flew west on the 12th and two flew west on the 28th, whilst single Dark-bellied Brent Geese were seen on four dates between the 13th and 28th but with a flock of fifteen present on the 18th; Canada Geese were present daily with 320 counted during the month's Wetland Bird Survey; while a single Greylag Goose was seen on the 2nd. 

Dark-bellied Brent Goose, Abbotsbury Swannery, October 2020 © Steve Groves


Mute Swans were of course present throughout and 705 were counted during the month's WeBS, although this didn't include the near 200 cygnets on site (as for ease we don't include the latter for WeBS until November as many are not fully fledged to then). The single resident and last month's two 'new' Whooper Swans were joined by a fourth on the 12th and all four were still present on the 31st.

Whooper Swans, Abbotsbury Swannery, October 2020 © Steve Groves

Virtually all the regular duck were present throughout, with peak counts as follows... Shelduck 7; Shoveler 100; Gadwall 4; Wigeon 300; Mallard 480; Pintail 35; Teal 610; Pochard 130; Tufted Duck 200. In addition the first two Scaup since January arrived on the 24th and they were joined by a third for the remainder of the month on  the 29th. The only Red-breasted Merganser though was seen on the 22nd.

Scaup (ad. female, 2 1cy drakes), Abbotsbury Swannery, October 2020 © Steve Groves      


Shorebirds...

Lapwings were present daily, with their number increasing to 30 from the 20th; a single Golden Plover was seen on the 10th and a single Ringed Plover was seen on the 3rd. 

Two Bar-tailed Godwits were seen on the 12th, with three on the 19th; a single Turnstone was present on the 3rd; a single Knot on the 19th; whilst Dunlin were seen regularly, with a peak of nine on the 3rd; a Jack Snipe was seen on the 3rd:  Common Snipe were seen regularly, with a peak of 23 on the 3rd; Single Grey Phalaropes were seen on five dates from the 2nd to the 15th; single Common Sandpipers were seen regularly but with at least two present on the 10th/11th; single Green Sandpipers were seen on seven dates between the 8th and 22nd; Redshanks though were scarce, with one on the 12th/13th and two on the 25th and single Greenshanks were  noted on the 3rd and 12th.

Knot, Abbotsbury Swannery, October 2020 © Steve Groves

Dunlin, Abbotsbury Swannery, October 2020 © Steve Groves

Jack Snipe, Abbotsbury Swannery, October 2020 © Joe Stockwell

Grey Phalarope, Abbotsbury Swannery, October 2020 © Charlie Wheeler


Gulls, Terns & Skuas...

Kittiwake was seen briefly on the 23rd, followed by two on the 31st; Black-headed Gulls peaked at over 200 on the 12th; Mediterranean Gulls peaked at over 250 on the 24th; Common Gulls were seen in single figures regularly until the 20th, but then at least ten were seen daily; Great Black-backed Gulls peaked at over 200 on several dates; Herring Gulls peaked at over 100 on the 23rd; a (third calendar year) Yellow-legged Gull was seen on the 1st; whilst Lesser Black-backed Gulls were seen in single figures fairly regularly.


Kittiwake (1cy), Abbotsbury Swannery, October 2020 © Joe Stockwell


The only terns recorded this month were Sandwich Terns with two briefly on the 12th and only the second Great Skua of the year was seen briefly on the 31st.

Great Skua, Abbotsbury Swannery, October 2020 © Joe Stockwell


Large Wading Birds...

A (reintroduction project) White Stork flew east on the 11th and then on the 14th, what was presumably the same bird, circled over before flying west; Glossy Ibis flew east and then west on the 20th. Cattle Egrets were seen almost daily (and no doubt roosted nightly), with a peak of 19 on the 30th; there were regular single figures counts of Grey Herons; single Great Egrets were seen on the 4th and 15th; whilst Little Egrets peaked at over ten on the 24th.

Cattle Egrets, Abbotsbury Swannery, October 2020 © Steve Groves

Great Egret & Cattle Egrets, Abbotsbury Swannery, October 2020 © Charlie Wheeler


Other Water-birds...

Water RailsMoorhens and Coots were all present throughout, with 160 of the latter recorded during the Wetland Bird Survey.

Little Grebes increased to over 25; whilst Great Crested Grebes declined to around ten.

Cormorants were present daily, with 18 counted during the Wetland Bird Survey and single Kingfishers were seen regularly but with at least three on the 14th.

Kingfisher, Abbotsbury Swannery, October 2020 © Kev Butler


H
a
wks, Owls & Falcons... 

There were regular sightings of  Sparrowhawks, mostly singles but with two on two dates; single Marsh Harriers were seen on three dates; three Red Kites were seen on the 16th; whilst single figures of Buzzards were seen daily.

Single Barn Owls  were seen regularly but not for the first month this year there were no reports of Tawny Owls though they were almost certainly present

Kestrels were seen in single figures daily; single Merlins were seen on six dates; and single Peregrines on five.

Merlin, Abbotsbury Swannery, October 2020 © Charlie Wheeler


Other Non-passerines... 

Pheasants were relatively numerous throughout, as were Feral PigeonWood Pigeon, and Collared Dove. The only Stock Doves though were four west on the 15th.  

Great Spotted Woodpecker and Green Woodpecker were both present in single figures throughout.
                                                                     

Passerines... 

MagpieJackdawRook and Carrion Crow were all fairly numerous throughout; Ravens were seen in single figures regularly; whilst single Jays were seen on the 1st and 7th. 

Coal Tit Blue TitGreat Tit and Long-tailed Tit were all fairly numerous.

Swallows were present regularly with peaks of over 500 on the 12th/13th, whilst he last two of the month were seen on the 27th. House Martins were present regularly in the first half of the month with a peak of over 5,000 on the 3rd, while the last of the month were seen on the 14th. 

Cetti's Warblers were comparatively numerous throughout; Chiffchaffs were also relatively numerous through much of the month with peaks of at least 30 on the 9th and 16th but only single figures were noted after the 22nd; Blackcaps were present in single figures at least until the 16th but with none subsequently. The only other warblers this month were  Yellow-browed Warblers with singles on the 5th, 16th, 18th and 26th. 

At least one Firecrest was seen fairly regularly; whilst ten plus Goldcrests were present throughout. 

At least single figures of Wrens were also present throughout and at least 50 Starlings roosted nightly, with smaller numbers regularly encountered through the day.  

Blackbirds and Song Thrushes were present throughout, mostly seen in single figures but with a minor influx of the former on the 5th when 20 plus were evident; three Mistle Thrushes were seen on the 1st followed by a 'heard only' on the 12th and two on the 15th. 

Robins and Stonechats were present throughout but only evident in single figures; whilst one or two Wheatears were seen on the 2nd, 9th and 12th. 

Skylarks and Meadow Pipits were seen virtually daily moving west, with regular counts of 100 plus, although the former peaked at at least 200 on the 7th; Rock Pipits were seen regularly with a peak of three on the 15th. 

Pied Wagtails were present throughout with at least 50 roosting nightly and a westward passage involving at least 100 on several dates; Grey Wagtails were seen virtually daily with peaks of at least five on the 5th and 16th; but the only Yellow Wagtail was heard on the 2nd with no further reports. 

Pied Wagtail, Abbotsbury Swannery, October 2020 © Steve Groves

 
House Sparrows and Dunnocks were present throughout.

Three Bramblings that flew west on the 22nd were the first of the year; Chaffinches were present throughout; the only Bullfinches were a couple seen on the 16th and at least one heard on the 27th; Greenfinches were seen fairly regularly but only in single figures, with a peak of at least five on the 13th; Linnets were present throughout, peaking at over 200 on the 14th;  Lesser Redpolls were regular, with a peak of at least ten on the 11th; a flock of at least ten Common Crossbills flew west on the 9th; Goldfinches were present in low double figures throughout; whilst Siskins continued their good autumn with double figures seen most days but with 100 plus were noted on 13th.

Reed Buntings were present throughout, whilst a Yellowhammer was heard on the 18th and two were seen on the 22nd.

... And that's it for this post except to thank Alan Barrett, Kev Butler, Joe Stockwell, Nick Urch and Charlie Wheeler for their sightings and where applicable for the use of their photos. 

November sightings to follow shortly.

Steve Groves.


Friday 16 October 2020

Swannery Bird Sightings - September 2020...

 

Waterfowl... 

The only goose species recorded this month was Canada Goose with 450 counted during the month's Wetland Bird Survey. The same survey produced a total of six-hundred and ninety  Mute Swans, while up to two-hundred not quite fledged cygnets were also on site. The resident (and now thought to be captive bred) Whooper Swan was joined by two presumed wild birds on the 28th and they were still present on the 30th...

Whooper Swans, Abbotsbury Swannery, September 2020 © Charlie Wheeler

Whooper Swans, Abbotsbury Swannery, September 2020 © Charlie Wheeler


With most of the adults still away moulting, Common Shelduck numbers were still low, with only single figures recorded all month. Ruddy Shelduck was a surprise on the 15th (although a flock of nine had been on the Fleet at Chickerell/East Fleet on the 13th... All presumably originating from either recent captivity or, perhaps more likely, from the naturalised population in the Netherlands)...

Ruddy Shelduck, Abbotsbury Swannery, September 2020 © Steve Groves


Virtually all the regular dabbling duck were present throughout with peak counts as follows... 80 Shoveler; 250 Wigeon; 250 Pintail; 300 Mallard and 350 TealThe only Gadwall sightings though were of two on the 18th and one on the 29th. 

Pochard and Tufted Duck steadily increased through the month, with over 50 of the former and over 80 of the latter present by the month's end.


Waders...

The only Oystercatcher of the month was present on the 1st/2nd;  one to five Lapwings were present daily; single Golden Plovers were noted on four dates; single Grey Plovers were present on four dates too but with at least two on the 28th; and Ringed Plovers were seen regularly with a peak of six on the 10th

Single Curlews were noted on the 2nd and 9th; between one and six Black-tailed Godwit were present daily from the 5th and the 8th; and between one and three Bar-tailed Godwit were present daily from the 2nd to the 9th...

Image

Bar-tailed Godwits, Abbotsbury Swannery, September 2020 © Charlie Wheeler

Turnstones were regular from the 1st to the 9th, with a peak of six on the 1st...

Turnstones, Abbotsbury Swannery, September 2020 © Steve Groves


Knots were regular from the 1st to the 15th, with a peak of at least 10 on the 12th; three Little Stints were seen briefly on the 23rd (the first since May 2017); a Curlew Sandpiper was present on the 17th...

Curlew Sandpiper, Abbotsbury Swannery, September 2020 © Steve Groves


Curlew Sandpiper, Abbotsbury Swannery, September 2020 © Steve Groves


 ... whilst Dunlin were present almost daily, with a peak of at least 40 on the 1st...

Dunlins, Abbotsbury Swannery, September 2020 © Steve Groves

Dunlins, Abbotsbury Swannery, September 2020 © Steve Groves


Snipe were seen regularly, with a peak of four on the 29th; Common Sandpipers  were seen almost daily, with a peak of at least six on the 1st...

Common Sandpiper, Abbotsbury Swannery, September 2020 © Steve Groves


One or two Green Sandpipers were present regularly (including a rather long-billed individual)... 

Green Sandpiper, Abbotsbury Swannery, September 2020 © Steve Groves

Green Sandpiper, Abbotsbury Swannery, September 2020 © Steve Groves

Redshanks were only seen on four dates, with a peak of three on the 1st; whilst single Greenshanks were noted on four dates.


Gulls & Terns...

Black-headed Gulls were present daily with 40 counted during the Wetland Bird Survey; Mediterranean Gulls were regular too but in only single figures; single Common Gulls were seen on the 14th, 23rd and 24th; Great Black-backed Gullwere present daily, with a peak of over 100 on the 23rd; whilst Herring Gulls were present daily too but with only single figure counts recorded; Lesser Black-backed Gulls were seen fairly regularly, with a peak of at least 20 on the 24th: a single (first calendar year) Caspian Gull was present briefly on the 24th...


1st calendar year Caspian Gull (right, with Great Black-backed Gulls), Abbotsbury Swannery, September 2020 © Joe Stockwell


Single (first calendar year) Yellow-legged Gulls were seen on five dates...


1st calendar year Yellow-legged GullAbbotsbury Swannery, September 2020                   © Steve Groves


At least seven Sandwich Terns were seen on the 1st with six still on the 2nd but with no further sightings until two on the 29th. The only other tern was a single Arctic Tern on the 30th.


Other Water-birds...

Water RailsMoorhens and Coots were all present throughout, with 340 of the latter recorded during the Wetland Bird Survey.

Little Grebes increased to over 20; whilst Great Crested Grebes remained stable at around thirty; and a Black-necked Grebe was present on the 12th.

Cormorants were present daily, with 24 counted during the Wetland Bird Survey.

Single White Storks were seen on the 4th and 18th, the former flew-over east while the latter settled and fed for awhile in the lower Swannery meadow, before flying west. Certainly the latter and probably the former  were released reintroduction project birds...

Image

White Stork, Abbotsbury Swannery, September 2020 © Charlie Wheeler


Image

White Stork, Abbotsbury Swannery, September 2020 © Charlie Wheeler


Three Spoonbills were present briefly on the 16th...

Image

Spoonbills, Abbotsbury Swannery, September 2020 © Joe Stockwell


Image

Spoonbills, Abbotsbury Swannery, September 2020 © Charlie Wheeler


Cattle Egrets were seen almost daily, with a peak of ten on the 25th; there were regular single figures counts of Grey Herons; three Great Egrets were seen on the 14th, with four on the 16th; whilst at least a dozen or so Little Egrets were present daily; and Kingfishers were seen regularly, with at least three on the 11th...

Kingfisher, Abbotsbury Swannery, September 2020 © Steve Groves


H
a
wks, Owls & Falcons... 

Ospreys were present virtually daily until the last of the month on the 15th, mostly singles but two were present on a few dates...

Image

Osprey, Abbotsbury Swannery, September 2020 © Joe Stockwell


Image

Osprey, Abbotsbury Swannery, September 2020 © Charlie Wheeler

There were regular sightings of  Sparrowhawks, mostly singles but with two on two dates; single Marsh Harriers were seen on four dates; and a small 'ringtail' harrier either Montagu's or Pallid was seen briefly on the 8th...

Image

Small 'ringtail' Harrier species, Abbotsbury Swannery, September 2020 © Joe Stockwell


Only two Red Kites were seen, both on the 20th; whilst single figures of Buzzards were seen daily.

Two Barn Owls  were seen on the 5th and Tawny Owls were either seen or heard on three dates (but both were no doubt present throughout). 

Kestrels were seen daily; single Merlins were seen on the 5th and 29th; single Hobbies were seen on the 1st and 2nd, with two on the 19th; and single Peregrines were seen regularly.

Other Non-passerines... 

Red-legged Partridge was seen on the 16th, whilst Pheasants were numerous throughout, as were Feral PigeonWood Pigeon, and Collared DoveGreat Spotted Woodpecker and Green Woodpecker were also present throughout.
                                                                     

Passerines... 

MagpieJackdawRookCarrion Crow and Raven were all present in varying numbers and frequency; as were Coal Tit Blue TitGreat Tit and Long-tailed Tit

Sand Martins only reached double figures on the 16th and 17th when over fifty were present but House Martins reached numbers of over a thousand on the 10th, 15th and 27th; and Swallows were present regularly in their hundreds but with over a thousand on the 15th and 16th. 

Cetti's Warblers,  Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps were present throughout, whilst Sedge Warblers,  Reed Warblers and  Whitethroats were seen regularly to the 22nd but not subsequently. Willow Warblers though were surprisingly not seen after the 2nd, whilst only the second Grasshopper Warbler of the year was seen on the 6th and the only Lesser Whitethroat of the year was seen on the 8th. 

Two Firecrests were seen on the 10th, with at least one then regularly seen or heard to the end of the month, while Goldcrests were present throughout. Wrens were also present throughout but Treecreepers were only noted until the 15th and not subsequently. At least 100 Starlings roosted nightly, with smaller numbers regularly encountered through the day.  

Blackbirds were present throughout, as presumably were Song Thrushes but the latter were only actually noted on three dates; whilst the only Mistle Thrush was a 'heard only' on the 6th. Single Spotted Flycatchers were seen on three dates but with two on the 20th; Robins were present throughout; whilst single Redstarts were noted on the 11th and 20th; single Whinchats were seen on the 8th and 21st, but with at least four on the 6th; Stonechats were seen regularly, with a peak of 6 on the 23rd...

Stonechat, Abbotsbury Swannery, September 2020 © Steve Groves

Wheatears were only noted on six dates, with a peak of seven on the 10th. 

Skylarks were noted on six dates, with a peak of at least 20 over on the 28th;  in contrast to last month Meadow Pipits were virtually noted daily, with a peak of at least 500 over on the 21st; Single Tree Pipits were noted on  four dates but with five on the 1st; and the first Rock Pipit of the season was seen on the 13th, with another on the 29th...

Rock Pipit, Abbotsbury Swannery, September 2020 © Steve Groves

Yellow Wagtails were present virtually daily with a peak of over 100 on the 15th; Grey Wagtails were regular with over 16 noted on the 6th; and  Pied Wagtails were present throughout with at least 20 roosting nightly. 

Dunnocks and House Sparrows were present throughout, as were Chaffinches, Linnets and Goldfinches. The only Bullfinch though was heard on the 22nd and only three Greenfinches were noted, all on the 10th. The first Lesser Redpoll of the season was noted on the 11th, with a further single on the 17th, eleven on the 21st and three on the 29th; whilst the first Siskins since July were noted on the 1st, with then near daily sightings throughout, including many conservative three figure counts concerning flocks flying predominately northwest.

Reed Buntings were present throughout, whilst a Yellowhammer north on the 13th was the first of the year...

... And that's it for this post except to thank Alan Barrett, Kev Butler, Joe Stockwell and Charlie Wheeler for their sightings and where applicable for the use of their photos. 

October sightings to follow shortly.

Steve Groves.