Shorncote etc

3 Oct - A cold slightly misty morning at Shorncote with gentle autumn colours in the greyness. Meadow Pipits passing over fairly continuously with a few Skylarks but also 2 late Swallows - the biggest surprise was my first 4 Redwings heard and seen, with diagnostic views in the bins. Surprisingly no Stonechats, but Reed Buntings present, also Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Raven, calling Kingfisher, 3 flyover Snipe and several Lapwing flocks plus a calling Green Sandpiper. 21 Shoveler were seen in flight from Twitchers Gate, and a Green Sandpiper on the flood at Eysey. Surprisingly, no Egrets of any variety at Shorncote, but a flock of 9 on floods by the River Thames at Castle Eaton.