4th October

A day that ticked over with routine passage without ever looking like it would get beyond that level; 2 Yellow-browed Warblers at Avalanche Road, a Tree Sparrow at Sweethill and a fly-by Hen Harrier at the Bill were the only minor oddities logged. Visible movement again accounted for the bulk of the numbers, with Meadow Pipits, alba wagtails and Linnets all heading south in quantity for the first few hours of the morning at the Bill; 25 Siskins and 2 Merlins were the best of the also-rans tagging along at this time. A light scatter of most of the expected early October regulars was evident everywhere that was covered but interest didn't get any better than at least 3 Firecrests and a Pied Flycatcher at the Bill. Sea reports included 44 Common Scoter, 2 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and an Eider through off the Bill, whilst 240 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls and a Pale-bellied Brent Goose were at Ferrybridge.

The immigrant moth situation was largely unchanged, with 13 Delicates and a White-speck the best of the overnight catch at the Obs.

The Tree Sparrow at Sweethill wasn't yesterday's ringed bird but might have been its companion © Pete Saunders:


Siskin passage hasn't really got going at the Bill where there have only been a handful amongst the strong visible movements of recent mornings (...and, thus far, there hasn't been a single Redpoll) © Joe Stockwell:


At Ferrybridge it'll likely not be long before a returning Black Brant pitches up but for the moment a lone Pale-bellied Brent is the best on offer as the wintering brents build up © Pete Saunders: