Promise

A definite sense of migration in swing at Swineham today - a quick visit this morning produced a couple of Ruff on passage and a Whinchat. Warblers moving through in reasonable numbers included Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers while an equally brief evening visit produced more Chiffs, plus a few Reed Warblers, a Sedge Warbler and a couple of flyover Yellow Wagtails. To underline the change of season the first Pintail of the autumn flew over the Point, and the first Wigeon arrived on the gravel pits. 2 Greenshank were keeping company out on the mud while 3 Avocet almost constituted a flock - well, a crowd at least. Nothing spectacular, then, but it left me with a strong sense of that quality which makes this time of year so special: promise.

Whinchat

Whinchat - a scarce migrant at Swineham

Whitethroat - also surprisingly scarce here

Ruff - we don't get many of these either

Pintail - a sure sign on winter approaching