17th December 2018 – bright start/calm, overcast SSE2/3 later
Offshore
Early morning observations over the sea (0815-0915) produced a congregation of 24 Shag along with 8 Red-throated Diver and 2 Common Scoter. A Black Guillemot was off the east shore at low tide.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 3 Scaup were amongst 12 Goldeneye and 10 Shoveler were logged. The Brent Goose flock held 200 pale-bellied birds. Waders included 3000 Knot and 3 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Birds of prey included single Barn Owl and Merlin. The Twite flock held 16 birds.
Ringing
Recently seen colour ringed Barnacle Geese were from Caerlaverock and Kincraig, Scotland.
Goosander and Scaup
16th December 2018 – bright start then cloudy with showers SW2
Offshore
Early morning observations over the sea (0815-0915) produced 24 Common Scoter, 3 Razorbill and a Red-throated Diver
Grounded Migrants
A Mistle Thrush was indicative of some late movement.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 3 Scaup were amongst 14 Goldeneye and a female Goosander was seen. Waders included 6 Greenshank.
Offshore
Early morning observations over the sea (0815-0915) produced 24 Common Scoter, 3 Razorbill and a Red-throated Diver
Grounded Migrants
A Mistle Thrush was indicative of some late movement.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 3 Scaup were amongst 14 Goldeneye and a female Goosander was seen. Waders included 6 Greenshank.
Scaup still here
12th December 2018 – overcast ESE5/6
Wildfowl and Waders
The 3 Scaup remain amongst 17 Goldeneye and the Brent Goose flock held 121 pale-bellied and 68 dark-bellied birds. Waders included the wintering group of 8 Greenshank and 58 Bar-tailed Godwit.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 3 Scaup remain amongst 17 Goldeneye and the Brent Goose flock held 121 pale-bellied and 68 dark-bellied birds. Waders included the wintering group of 8 Greenshank and 58 Bar-tailed Godwit.
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.
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.
Another Little Gull
9th December 2018 – bright and sunny NW3/4/5
Offshore
Early morning observations over the sea (0815-0915) produced an adult Little Gull along with 58 Common Scoter, 9 Red-throated Diver, 6 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Kittiwake and 3 Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 4 Redwing.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 19 Barnacle Geese were grounded, the 3 Scaup and female Goosander remain. Waders included 4500 Oystercatcher, 2 Greenshank and 2 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
Birds of prey included 2 Little Owl, 2 Peregrine, 2 Sparrowhawk and single Merlin. Groups of 18 Twite and 20 Linnet were logged.
Butterflies and Moths
The Winter Moth was likely to be the final species to be added to the year list.
Offshore
Early morning observations over the sea (0815-0915) produced an adult Little Gull along with 58 Common Scoter, 9 Red-throated Diver, 6 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Kittiwake and 3 Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 4 Redwing.
Wildfowl and Waders
A flock of 19 Barnacle Geese were grounded, the 3 Scaup and female Goosander remain. Waders included 4500 Oystercatcher, 2 Greenshank and 2 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
Birds of prey included 2 Little Owl, 2 Peregrine, 2 Sparrowhawk and single Merlin. Groups of 18 Twite and 20 Linnet were logged.
Butterflies and Moths
The Winter Moth was likely to be the final species to be added to the year list.
Scaup continue in residence
8th December 2018 – early showers/rain later W6/5/4
Offshore
Early morning observations over the sea (0815-0915) produced just 4 Common Scoter.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 90 pale-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Scaup and a female Goosander. Waders included 10 Black-tailed Godwit, 9 Greenshank and 3 Purple Sandpiper
Miscellaneous
At least 6 Rock Pipit and 65 Skylark were flushed from the saltmarsh.
Offshore
Early morning observations over the sea (0815-0915) produced just 4 Common Scoter.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 90 pale-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Scaup and a female Goosander. Waders included 10 Black-tailed Godwit, 9 Greenshank and 3 Purple Sandpiper
Miscellaneous
At least 6 Rock Pipit and 65 Skylark were flushed from the saltmarsh.
Great Northern Diver and Scaup
7th December 2018 – sunny spells W4/5/6 gusting to 50mph
Offshore
Early morning observations over the sea (0800-0900) produced 12 Kittiwake, 4 Common Scoter and a Red-throated Diver. A Great Northern Diver was off the sheltered eastern shore over the tide.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to a single Fieldfare.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 3 Scaup continue in residence while the Brent Goose flock only held 45 pale and a single dark-bellied Brent Goose. Waders included 4500 Oystercatcher, 700 Knot, 28 Black-tailed Godwit and 8 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Two Little Owl were logged while a Merlin and 21 Twite were the best of the rest.
Offshore
Early morning observations over the sea (0800-0900) produced 12 Kittiwake, 4 Common Scoter and a Red-throated Diver. A Great Northern Diver was off the sheltered eastern shore over the tide.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to a single Fieldfare.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 3 Scaup continue in residence while the Brent Goose flock only held 45 pale and a single dark-bellied Brent Goose. Waders included 4500 Oystercatcher, 700 Knot, 28 Black-tailed Godwit and 8 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Two Little Owl were logged while a Merlin and 21 Twite were the best of the rest.
Great Northern Diver and Little Gulls
3rd December 2018 – overcast then sunny spells NW1/2
Offshore
Early morning observations (0800-0900) were led by 4 adult Little Gulls along with 41 Common Scoter, 14 Red-throated Diver, 10 Razorbill and a Kittiwake. Later at low tide the eastern shore revealed a Great Northern Diver amongst 8 Red-throated Diver and a single Black Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to a single Fieldfare.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 100 Pink-footed Geese headed south and 12 Jackdaw were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 3 Scaup remain amongst 12 Goldeneye and waders included 6 Greenshank and 3 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
Birds of prey included single Buzzard and Peregrine and a Water Rail was the best of the rest.
Offshore
Early morning observations (0800-0900) were led by 4 adult Little Gulls along with 41 Common Scoter, 14 Red-throated Diver, 10 Razorbill and a Kittiwake. Later at low tide the eastern shore revealed a Great Northern Diver amongst 8 Red-throated Diver and a single Black Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to a single Fieldfare.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 100 Pink-footed Geese headed south and 12 Jackdaw were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 3 Scaup remain amongst 12 Goldeneye and waders included 6 Greenshank and 3 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
Birds of prey included single Buzzard and Peregrine and a Water Rail was the best of the rest.
Black Brant shows again
1st December 2018 – rain/mist/murk SE3/2
Rarities
The adult Black Brant was again at Snab Sands early morning associating with 240 pale and 90 dark-bellied Brent Geese before disappearing over the mudflats into the gloom.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 3 Scaup remain and a Goosander was newly arrived. Waders included 4 Greenshank and 4 Black-tailed Godwit.
Rarities
The adult Black Brant was again at Snab Sands early morning associating with 240 pale and 90 dark-bellied Brent Geese before disappearing over the mudflats into the gloom.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 3 Scaup remain and a Goosander was newly arrived. Waders included 4 Greenshank and 4 Black-tailed Godwit.
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