Quiet!

28th January 2018 – overcast SW5/6
Offshore
An early morning check of the sea (0845-0945) revealed just 12 Common Scoter, 8 Red-throated Diver and 4 Kittiwake.
Wildfowl and Waders
The pair of Scaup remain in residence and 12 Shoveler were logged.
Miscellaneous
Merlin, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk were all logged.

Tufted Duck reveals origins

27th January 2018 – rain clearing later SSW5/6
Offshore
A check of the sea as the rain cleared (1100-1200) revealed just 3 Red-throated Diver and 2 Common Scoter.
Wildfowl and Waders
The pair of Scaup remain in residence.
Miscellaneous
The Twite flock continues to hold 60 birds.
Ringing
A colour-marked Tufted Duck had been ringed at São Jacinto Dunes Nature Reserve, Portugal on 9th November 2016.

Great Northern Diver and Gadwall

26th January 2018 – bright and sunny/calm
Offshore
Flat calm seas revealed a Great Northern Diver amongst 10 Shag and 5400 Eider.
Grounded Migrants
Two Mistle Thrush were amongst an apparent increase in Blackbird and Song Thrush.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Gadwall amongst 11 Shoveler was newly arrived, the pair of Scaup remain and 7 Barnacle Geese were logged. Waders included 10 Greenshank and 5 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
The Twite flock held 60 birds and was stalked by a Merlin.

Winter fare

20th January 2018 – overcast/light rain/calm
Offshore
The sea continues to be quiet with early morning (0815-0915) producing just 11 Red-throated Diver and 3 Common Scoter.
Grounded Migrants
A group of 11 Redwing was amongst an increase in Blackbird and Song Thrush.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 287 pale-bellied and 21 dark-bellied birds and the pair of Scaup remain. Waders included 8 Greenshank and 4 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
The Twite flock held 100 birds while both Merlin and Peregrine were seen.

Black Brant reappears

19th January 2018 – hail showers W4/5
Rarities
The Black Brant was again amongst 80 dark-bellied Brent Geese.
Grounded Migrants
A Redwing was amongst a few Song Thrush.
Wildfowl and Waders
The pair of Scaup continue in residence. Waders included a Greenshank and 4 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
The Twite flock held 80 birds while a Hooded x Carrion Crow was seen.

Early winter blues!

14th January 2018 –early drizzle/misty SE4
Offshore
The sea remained quiet early morning observations (0830-0930) with just 55 Common Scoter, 4 Red-throated Diver and a Razorbill.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held just 38 pale-bellied and 62 dark-bellied birds.

Colour-ringed birds

13th January 2018 – overcast/misty SE4
Offshore
Early morning observations (0845-0945) provided just 15 Common Scoter and 8 Red-throated Diver.
Ringing
The first check of the year for colour-ringed waders revealed an Oystercatcher from Iceland and Knot from Iceland (1) and England (3).

Scaup remain

12th January 2018 – overcast/misty SE2
Wildfowl and Waders
The pair of Scaup remain in residence and waders included 3 Greenshank and 3 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
The Twite flock held 25 birds while a single Little Owl was logged.

Black Brant again

8th January 2018 – bright and cold E4/5
Wildfowl and Waders
The Black Brant was again logged over the high tide in the company of 60 dark-bellied Brent Geese. The pair of Scaup remain.
Miscellaneous
The Twite flock held 20 birds.

Pink-footed Geese on the move

7th January 2018 – sunny spells/calm
Offshore
Generally quiet early morning, although 30 Shag and 4 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 10 Redwing, 6 Mistle Thrush and 3 Fieldfare. At least 2 Tree Sparrow continue to winter.
Diurnal Migration
A large movement of Pink-footed Geese was evident from first light with 2,200 birds logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Three Whooper Swan were logged and the pair of Scaup continue in residence. Waders included Greenshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Jack Snipe and Purple Sandpiper
Miscellaneous
The Twite flock held 60 birds while a Hooded x Carrion Crow was seen.

Black Brant

6th January 2018 – bright and sunny NE3/4
Diurnal Migration
A group of 6 Pink-footed Geese flew north.
Wildfowl and Waders
An adult Black Brant was amongst 304 pale-bellied and 60 dark-bellied Brent Geese. In addition, a flock of 40 Barnacle Geese were logged.
Miscellaneous
The Twite flock again held 40 birds.

Winter residents

5th January 2018 – sunny spells/calm
Grounded Migrants
A single Redwing was logged.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 105 Pink-footed Geese flew south.
Wildfowl and Waders
The pair of Scaup continue in residence and waders included 4000 Knot while 11 Greenshank and a Black-tailed Godwit amongst 1000 Redshank.
Miscellaneous
The Twite flock held 40 birds.

Blackcap sees in New Year

1st January 2018 – sun and showers SW4
Offshore
A few Red-throated Diver and Kittiwake were offshore.
Grounded Migrants
A Blackcap saw in the New Year and 4 Redwing were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 2 Scaup continue in residence and waders included 6 Greenshank and 3 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
Single Little Owl, Peregrine and Merlin were all logged.