Ewden valley 15/10/17. D Simmonite, S Green.

Dry, bright and sunny but strong sw winds making raptors scarce, the best being a juv Merlin which showed well briefly. Also 5 C Buzzard, 5 Kestrel. Flock of 50 Golden Plover went w. with another 2 s. later. Raven total of 6+. Meadow Pipits still on the move with 111 mostly going s., 2 Stonechats were at the dried up stream on the way down. On the way up, 16 Siskin, 6 Redpoll, 4 Skylark, Coal Tit 2. Bullfinch and 7 Linnets at the lodge and 53 Woodpigeon in the valley. Thrushes just about non existent with just 1 Mistle. Calling Nuthatch at the entrance gate.