Cackling Hell........

 2168 Barnacle Geese and one probable Richardson's Cackling Goose passed Whitburn Obs on this mornings watch. The shutters were open but the lights were out, it was still dark when we saw our first skein of Barnacle Geese fly north. And for the rest of the watch they continued to move with yet again a very good supporting cast. Stevie Thunder called a small Canada Goose flying with a large skein of Barnacles, the last bird...I managed some video which is being looked at but it is probably the Richardson's Cackling Goose that arrived at Budle Bay with Barnacles as found by our very own Boy Wonder who was AWOL
Ross was not the only local sea watcher missing from the Obs but five of us saw the bird
It was another manic watch and i am close to resigning as note taker for the Obs, i need a blinkin rest phew. Woodcock in off was year tick and early on Redwing were on the move.
This is what we saw in order of appearance

Sunday 8th October 06.50-11.35 WNW2 7/8

Black h Gull 98n 78s
Common Gull 54n 13s
Barnacle Goose 1574n 594s

Eider 6n 10s
Teal 251n
Woodcock 1 in off
Red th Diver 51n 34s
Velvet Scoter 9n
Wigeon 360n 11s
Meadow Pipit 12 in off
Redwing 2 in off
Gannet 419n 32s
Common Scoter 106n 50s
Goldeneye 4n 3s
Manx Shearwater 6n
Bonxie 2n 1s
Dunlin 10s
Mallard 8n
Turnstone 3n
Ringed Plover 1s
Curlew 3n
Tufted Duck 4n
Porpoise 2
Grey Plover 2s
Knot 2s
Scaup 1n
Red br Merganser 5n 9s
Pink footed Goose 20n 35s
Arctic Skua 3n
Puffin 6n
LBBGull 1s
Golden Plover 4n
Shag 5n
Pom Skua 1s
Redpoll 2 in off
Pintail 1n
Great Northern Diver 1n