Winter fare

18th December 2012 – sunny spells/calm
Offshore
A check over the calm seas early morning provided 16 Red-throated Diver, 16 Red-breasted Merganser, 13 Shag and 4 Razorbill.
Diurnal Migration
Two small skeins of Pink-footed Geese totalling 130 birds headed south.
Wildfowl and Waders
Scaup and Greenshank were the best on offer.
Miscellaneous
Finch flocks involved 50 Goldfinch and 40 Twite and at least 2 Water Rail remain.
Moths
A Winter Moth finally made it on to the year list.

WeBS counting

17th December 2012 – rain at times W1/2
Grounded Migrants
A group of 6 Redwing were newly arrived.
Wildfowl and Waders
The monthy WeBS count produced good numbers of wildfowl and waders, individual totals included: 6700 Oystercatcher, 5023 Eider, 2303 Dunlin, 1010 Redshank, 940 Wigeon, 920 Golden Plover, 820 Curlew, 620 Teal, 590 Knot, 345 Lapwing, 245 Grey Plover, 220 Turnstone, 219 Shelduck, 176 Sanderling, 157 Mallard, 149 Snipe, 50 Bar-tailed Godwit, 50 Ringed Plover, 42 Pintail, 30 Goldeneye, 23 Red-breasted Merganser, 15 Purple Sandpiper, 12 Greenshank, 11 Scaup and 2 Shoveler.
Ringing
The flock of Knot held at least two colour-ringed birds – hopefully details will be forthcoming in due course.

Late Gannet

16th December 2012 – sunny spells/showers SW3
Offshore
Early morning observations (0930-1030) provided 65 Common Scoter, 6 Red-throated Diver and single Razorbill, Kittiwake and Gannet.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 176 pale-bellied birds and waders included 15 Purple Sandpiper and 4 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin was logged along with 6 Little Egret.

Slavonian Grebe

15th December 2012 – overcast/showers SW3
Offshore
A quick check over the sea produced 10 Scaup, 7 Red-throated Diver and single Shag and Slavonian Grebe.
Wildfowl and Waders
Brent Geese involved 168 pale-bellied and 58 dark-bellied birds while waders included 8 Greenshank and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
At least 9 Little Egret remain along the eastern shore and single Peregrine and Barn Owl were logged. A Grey Wagtail was unusual at this time of year.

The sea dominates sightings

8th December 2012 – early frost/sunny spells/calm
Offshore
The sea (0830-0930) provided 575 Common Scoter, 43 Red-throated Diver, 28 Red-breasted Merganser, 10 Razorbill, 9 Scaup (7 drakes) and single Gannet and Kittiwake.
Grounded Migrants
Several small groups of Song Thrush totalling 14 birds were suggestive of some cold weather movement.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 80 pale-bellied Brent Geese, 20 Barnacle Geese and 4 dark-bellied Brent Geese. A Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Greenshank were the best of the waders.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow continues to tour the island and raptors included a Merlin chasing Goldfinches and a Peregrine chasing a large flock of Knot.