By Greg Lee
I was rather looking forward to census today with the calm winds on the forecast. However, I had failed to take into consideration Thomas’s words of wisdom which detailed the arrival of fog in slack high-pressure systems. So, when I peeled back the blind in the morning in my room, I was greeted by a thick fog outside the Lodge window. Nonetheless, census still needed doing and, in truth, it was quieter with little to be seen although some Robins were ticking in Lower Millcombe along with the now almost staple of morning census, Water Rails squealing. A Tree Pipit buzzed over St John's in the company of some Meadow Pipits, whilst out near Rocket Pole I flushed a Grey Heron which flew towards Benjamin's Chair, only to then flush another five minutes later at Old Light. Clearly these birds didn't fancy moving in the fog either!
Great Black Backed Gull flock at North Light by Thomas Weston
Fortunately, Thomas and Eleanor had more luck up at the North End which was out of the fog. There they reported 10 Great Black-Backed Gulls, a small hirundine movement coming in off the sea with 75 Swallows and singles of House and Sand Martin logged. A few Meadow Pipits were also noted, with probably a considerable number more hiding away in the fog.