6th January 2025 – overcast/frost/lying snow ESE2/3
Offshore
Two Great Northern Diver remain amongst 17 Shag and 5 Red-throated Diver.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 443 light-bellied birds and additional wildfowl included 1,374 Wigeon, 688 Teal, 261 Pintail, 162 Shelduck, 138 Mallard, 55 Red-breasted Merganser, 18 Barnacle Goose, 2 Shoveler and a Goosander. Waders included 2,048 Oystercatcher, 1,442 Dunlin, 796 Redshank, 681 Curlew, 305 Golden Plover, 112 Lapwing, 107 Turnstone, 74 Grey Plover, 41 Snipe, 22 Sanderling, 9 Greenshank and a Woodcock.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow and 2 Water Rail remain.
5th January 2025 bright and frosty/cold N1/2
Offshore
At least one Great Northern Diver.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 1000 Dunlin and 8 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
The island’s “woodland” hosted 15 Long-tailed Tit, 6 Coal Tit and single Firecrest and Treecreeper. The Hooded Crow and 2 Water Rail remain.
4th January 2025 bright and frosty/cold N2/4
Offshore
At least one Great Northern Diver remains amongst 10 Shag and 5 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
A Redwing was new in.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock included 20 dark-bellied birds, also seen were a Goosander and 2 Shoveler. Waders included 11 Purple Sandpiper, 7 Greenshank and 6 Woodcock.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow and 35 Twite remain along with 2 Merlin. A Water Pipit was amongst 16 Meadow Pipit, 5 Rock Pipit and single Pied Wagtail and Grey Wagtail. At least one Cetti’s Warbler remains. The island’s “woodland” hosted 16 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Jay, 3 Coal Tit, 3 Goldcrest and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.
3rd January 2025 bright and frosty/cold NNW4/6
Offshore
The 2 Great Northern Diver remain.
Wildfowl and Waders
There are now 12 Barnacle Geese and a Goosander was logged.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow and 35 Twite were the best of the rest.
1st January 2025 sunny spells NW4/7
Offshore
There are now 2 Great Northern Diver present.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 10 Barnacle Geese were newly arrived.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin and 35 Twite were the best of the rest.
18th December 2025 overcast/rain later SSE3/4
Offshore
Observations over the sea (0845-0945) produced 31 Red-throated Diver, 26 Common Scoter, 4 Razorbill, 3 Guillemot, 2 Red-breasted Merganser and single Gannet and Shag.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 21 Greenshank and 9 Purple Sandpiper.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin and 35 Twite were the best of the rest.
16th December 2025 sunny spells/calm
Offshore
A check of the calm sea revealed 8140 Eider, 110 Red-throated Diver, 41 Shag, 33 Common Scoter, 19 Guillemot, 14 Red-breasted Merganser, 8 Razorbill, 4 Great Crested Grebe and single Great Northern Diver and Black Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
A flock of 13 Long-tailed Tit and 3 Goldcrest was logged.
Diurnal Migration
A flock of 26 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Siskin and a Redpoll were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 10 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A Snow Bunting was seen and 2 Water Rail and the Hooded Crow were the best of the rest.
13th December 2025 sunny spells S3/5
Offshore
A check of the sea produced 183 Common Scoter, 11 Red-throated Diver, 3 Shag, 2 Red-breasted Merganser and a Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
A Redwing was logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Two Goosander were seen and waders included 5 Woodcock.
Miscellaneous
Five Cetti’s Warbler were calling and several Grey Wagtail look set to winter. The “woodlands” provided 13 Long-tailed Tit and a Jay. Two Water Rail were the best of the rest.
12th December 2025 sunny spells V1
Offshore
The Great Northern Diver remains. Additional sightings involved 5600 Eider, 27 Red-throated Diver, 9 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Shag and 2 Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
A Goldcrest continues to linger.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 18 Whooper Swan were grounded and waders included 8 Greenshank and a Woodcock.
Miscellaneous
Two Water Rail were the best of the rest.
Local News
The Black-throated Diver was showing well at Ramsden Dock.
