Pochard and Great Northern Diver

25th February 2026 – overcast/mizzle at times SSE3/4
Offshore
A check of the sea (0730-0830) produced 30 Common Scoter, 7 Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Red-throated Diver and single Pochard, Great Northern Diver and Kittiwake.
Grounded Migrants
Further hints of spring were provided by 4 Stonechat and 2 Fieldfare.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 35 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Miscellaneous
A Peregrine was the best of the rest.

Water Pipits reappear

21st February 2026 – overcast/murky/rain later SW2/4
Offshore
A scan of the sea revealed 18 Shag, 3 Red-throated Diver, 2 Red-breasted Merganser and the first Gannet of the year.
Grounded Migrants
A total of 21 Woodpigeon and 4 Pied Wagtail suggested that the first hints of spring are underway.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 2 Shoveler.
Miscellaneous
Three Water Pipit were amongst 15 Rock Pipit and single Merlin and Water Rail were the best of the rest.
Ringing
A colour-ringed Curlew had previously been ringed at Ynyshir on the Dyfi Estuary in Wales on 8th October 2021.

Wildfowl and Waders

17th February 2026 – bright and frosty N1/2
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed 23 Shag, 9 Red-throated Diver and 3 Common Scoter.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 109 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Counts included 2,450 Oystercatcher, 1,237 Dunlin, 1,096 Redshank, 807 Curlew, 717 Wigeon, 654 Teal, 195 Shelduck, 165 Grey Plover, 140 Lapwing, 100 Golden Plover, 97 Turnstone, 96 Ringed Plover, 82 Pintail, 46 Snipe, 34 Red-breasted Merganser, 13 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A Water Rail was the best of the rest.

Marsh Harrier and Mediterranean Gull

14th February 2026 – bright and frosty/calm
Offshore
An adult Mediterranean Gull was logged.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 100 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 200 Bar-tailed Godwit and 4 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Single Marsh Harrier and Merlin were the best of the rest.

White-fronts and Pink-feet

7th February 2026 – sunny spells E2/3
Wildfowl and Waders
Geese included 81 light-bellied Brent Goose, 64 Pink-footed Goose, 35 Russian White-fronted Goose, 44 Canada Goose, 10 Barnacle Goose, 2 Greylag Goose and a dark-bellied Brent Goose.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow and 2 Water Rail were the best of the rest.
Mammals
An Otter was seen.

Goosander

1st February 2026 – overcast/mizzle/murk/calm
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 240 light-bellied Brent Goose, 150 Pintail and a Goosander.
Miscellaneous
A wintering Grey Wagtail was unusual while Merlin and the long-staying Hooded Crow were the best of the rest.
Butterflies and Moths
A Chestnut was the first moth to be attracted to the light trap this year.