9000 Pink-footed Geese
A good count from this morning of 9000 Pink-feet on the reserve, also 370 Whooper Swan. Calmer conditions meant the Mere was packed with Teal, Pintail and Wigeon early on.
Merlin late afternoon, 2 Marsh Harrier (imm male and juv), 2 Peregrine (ad+juv), 3 Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel.
The juvenile Peregrine found itself getting a grief from a Carrion Crow while sitting on a post. Crows are normally intelligent birds, so it didn't take too long for it to realises that as soon as the Peregrine had taken to the air it had become potential breakfast. Thirty seconds later it was fully hidden deep in a tree watching the Peregrine return to it's post. It didn't have a second go..
Redwing again and Song Thrush, also perhaps a few more Chaffinch around, all likely autumn migrants / winter visitors.
