21st December 2014 – overcast with showers SW/6
Offshore
An early morning check of the sea (0900-1000) revealed 11 Shag, 11 Common Scoter, 7 Kittiwake and single Red-throated Diver and Razorbill. A Slavonian Grebe joined the Great Northern Diver in the relatively sheltered waters along the eastern shore.
Grounded Migrants
A few Redwing were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 42 Barnacle Geese remain in residence along with the Long-tailed Duck and 159 pale-bellied Brent Geese. Waders included 4000 Knot and 7 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
At least 51 Little Egret remain and 14 Tree Sparrows continue to winter.
Reptiles
A Kemp’s Ridley Turtle, which is critically endangered and the rarest sea turtle in the world, was found washed up on the island. It usually occurs around the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and The Atlantic Ocean off the east coast of the USA. Around 30 Kemp's Ridley Turtles had been stranded on British and Irish beaches in the past, though the majority were recorded in the South West and Wales.
