9th April, 2017 Beachy Head Fine sunny, cool at first becoming warm. SE 3 decreasing to 2.

Yippee - No fog!!  With SE winds forecast, we sea-watched from 06.00-10.30 and Brent Geese and Common Scoters were both moving at dawn. We were joined by RE and RKH and we all enjoyed the large movement taking place. Many thanks to Doreen for keeping the numbers and at times it almost got out of hand. Unfortunately, no young eyes looking today able to pick out birds further out, and we could hear Mediterranean Gulls calling but we were unable to pick some of these out. With tired eyes, we decided not to check the area for migrants, but to go home for a Sunday roast and a bottle of wine.

Red-throated Diver 5 E
Great-crested Grebe 1 on sea
Gannet 62 E
Brent Geese 755 E
Gadwall 4 E
Teal 17 E
Tufted Duck 10 E
Goldeneye 1 drake E (our 18th record since 1960 with the last being seen on the 13/3/2012).
Common Scoter 1,072 E
Velvet Scoter 27 E (parties: 1,1,5,13,4,3)
Red-breasted Merganser 2
Whimbrel 10 E
Arctic Skua 5 E
Mediterranean Gull 21 E with others heard calling but were not seen.
Little Gull 26 E
Black-headed Gull 33 E
Kittiwake 473 E (all adults other than just 2 immature birds)
Sandwich Tern 540 E
Common/Arctic Tern 33 E
Auk Sp 2 E
Guillemot 1 E

 

Brents again on the move