With heavy rain forecast from around 9.00 am and SE winds we made a concerted effort for an early morning sea-watch from 06.00-08.30 with excellent visibility. We were joined for some of the time by RE. Small numbers were moving which included our first Sandwich Terns for the year but the highlight was a super summer plumage Black-throated Diver at close range with a Red-throated Diver.
We then had time to quickly check the Birling end of the newly ploughed field before the heavy rain commenced.
Red-throated Diver 3 E (2 in full s/p)
Black-throated Diver 1 E in full s/p @ 07.35 (It was close in with s/p Red-throated)
Great-crested Grebe 3 (2 E and 1 on the sea)
Gannet 9 E
Brent Goose 119 E
Shoveler 5 E
Common Scoter 106 E
Red-legged Partridge 2 in newly ploughed field
Mediterranean Gull 3 ad s/p E
Kittiwake 65 E
Sandwich Tern 9 E
White Wagtail 1 Birling end of newly ploughed field
Wheatear 2
