National Trust Sandilands nature reserve sightings included a yellow-browed warbler on 20th September alongside an impressive flock of over 200 meadow pipits. Whinchats were widespread with double figures present over several days. Three Arctic skua circled low overhead on 10^th.

Sea watching highlights during the month included multiple long-tailed skua, pomarine skua, Arctic skua (150+), great skua, storm petrel (16^th), Manx Shearwater (18^th), numerous kittiwake and red-throated diver. Onshore winds, particularly from the north-east are best in the autumn, for bringing many of these oceanic species close to land. The storm petrel recorded at Huttoft Car Terrace was an excellent record, this is a small seabird about the size of a house martin, described as being ‘bat like’ in flight. They breed on offshore rocky islands in the UK, especially, in the north and west of Scotland.     

Huttoft Pit water levels continue to drop, attracting 26 wader species over the month including a spotted redshank, two curlew sandpiper and two little stint. Winter wildfowl, predominately teal, also built up slowly over the month despite the limited water availability. In addition, a roost of yellow wagtails was also noted from here which peaked at 78 birds.

Overhead migration highlights included two late swifts (7^th), a spoonbill (21^st), a raven (24^th) and a single red kite (25^th). Red kite has now been recorded monthly since February which is quite extraordinary. Raven is similarly being noted with more frequency in the area.

An incredible migration of 103 common buzzard over the Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park on the 11^th September was quite astonishing! These are thought to be birds from Northern Europe that have reached the UK for the winter. UK birds tend to be more sedentary. 

Winter wildfowl started to arrive from mid-month with the first skein of pink-footed geese (from Iceland/Greenland) on 14^th, first brent goose (from Russia/Siberia) offshore on the 12^th and whooper swans (from Iceland) at Huttoft Pit on 27^th. 

The number of pink-footed geese arriving in the UK appears to be increasing year on year. Over the course of September over 15,000 birds passed through the Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park, the first group noted on the 14^th. Most of these will be passing through to wintering grounds in North Norfolk, however, some are now wintering in good numbers along the Lincolnshire coast. The reason for the increased numbers is thought to be linked too better protection on wintering grounds and more favourable feeding on agricultural land. The UK supports over 85% of the European population of pink-footed geese in winter (approximately 300,000 birds by previous estimates).

Non-avian highlights

Clouded yellow butterflies were seen on both Huttoft Marsh and the National Trust Sandilands Reserves, the first to be recorded for many years! Other species seen were restricted to small white, speckled wood, peacock, red admiral and small copper.

Dragonfly numbers are beginning to drop with only ruddy darter, common darter, willow emerald and migrant hawker now left on the wing.

A harbour porpoise was seen close offshore at Anderby Creek on 7^th September.

Foxes were seen on a regular basis around Huttoft Pit presumably taking advantage of the all you can eat bird buffet!

Acknowledgements

I would like to say a massive thank you to local photographer Garry Wright for providing us with so many excellent pictures over the last few years. These fantastic pictures really do paint a picture of the bountiful wildlife that the Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park has to offer.