Lade - 0800hrs - cool, cloudy, light showers, nw 5 - An autumnal sort of a feel to the weather today was reflected in the number of migrant Swifts on the move, many following the coastline south and others pausing to briefly feed over the lakes before continuing on towards Dungeness and, presumably, across the Channel. The strong winds had blown up huge baulks of rotting water weed along one side of south lake where Starlings, House Sparrows and a Pied Wagtail were feeding on insects, along with the first returning Common Sandpiper of the season. In the shelter of the willow swamp a juvenile Cuckoo, which looked as though it had recently left the nest, was receiving some stern treatment from a Magpie.
ARC - On the way back from the allotment this afternoon we called in to Screen hide where five Blackwits and a Garganey where on view on the islands amongst many Lapwings and eclipse ducks. Over the lake hundreds of Swifts and hirundines were coming and going in the stiff westerly.
NB: Hanson hide remains out of bounds due to a low slung power cable over the access track.
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