Usual circuit from the mere out to the Deer Park, the chill stiff breeze felt a little autumnal and some of the birds thought the same. A distant ringtail was hunting over the rough pasture above Martins Haven gave me hopes of something better and a female Merlin was keeping a watchful eye on a flock of Linnet. 20 Whimbrel were feeding in the field west of the mere and like the 8 Chough (pair by Renny Slip, which have been quite active the last couple of visits, a flock of 4 birds in Trehills fields and 2 birds on the roadside verge near Musselwick) were probably grateful for the recent rain. A Lesser whitethroat was west of the Britton Hide with 7 of its commoner cousins over the walk. 12 singing Sedge warblers. Just 2 Wheatear tonight one singing. 15 Pied wagtails behind Oriole Hide. 2 drake Shoveler and 2 drake Teal. Swan still sat tight. Pair of Little grebe on the pond by Trehill farm looked busy so may have young. First Swift over Mullock Bridge.
