Svalbard Barnacle Geese

10th December 2018 – sun and showers/calm
Offshore
Early morning observations over the sea (0815-0915) produced 35 Common Scoter, 9 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Red-throated Diver and a Goldeneye. Four Shag were located at high tide.
Grounded Migrants
A Brambling was newly arrived.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 19 Barnacle Geese remained and the 3 Scaup were amongst 16 Goldeneye. Waders included 7 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Birds of prey included 2 Little Owl and single Barn Owl, Peregrine and Merlin. The Twite flock held 45 birds.
Ringing
The Barnacle Goose flock recently held 3 birds previously ringed at Ny-Alesund, SVALBARD.