Sea-watched produced a drake Garganey, and our first Whimbrel and Swallow of the year although the area was again quiet for migrants although 8 smart White Wagtails were now present in the ploughed field. During the afternoon LP visited Belle Tout wood and Shooters Bottom and recorded 4 Firecrests, Black Redstart and five Chiffchaffs.
Combined totals as follows:
Red-throated Diver 44 (43 E and 1 on the sea)
Black-throated Diver 2 s/p (1 at 07.21 & 1 at 07.25)
Gannet 20 E
Brent Goose 21 E
Shelduck 7 E
Garganey 1 drake E with Scoters @ 09.43. (per RAB and AR)
Shoveler 21 E
Common Scoter 574 E
Red-breasted Merganser 3 E
Red-legged Partridge 2
Whimbrel 2 E (our first this year)
Curlew 4 E
Arctic Skua 5 E
Mediterranean Gull 3 E
Black-headed Gull 33 E
Sandwich Tern 62 E
Razorbill 2
Auk Sp 5 E
Collared Dove 1 above B/T wood before departing.
Green Woodpecker 1
Swallow 1 in off the sea (our first this year)
Rock Pipit 2 displaying Birling
Pied Wagtail 2 in newly ploughed field with White Wagtails
White Wagtail 8 in ploughed field. (8 is our largest day count since regular watching in 1960).
Black Redstart in Shooters Bottom (per LP)
Chiffchaff 6
Goldcrest 1
Firecrest 4 (2 Shooters Bottom and 2 B/T wood (per LP)
Goldfinch 5
Linnet 7
Corn Bunting 9 (6 singing)
Chiffchaff at Belle Tout wood
Late news for yesterday, Kris Gillam performed a successful evening sea-watch from Birling last night, and I have added this to the bottom of yesterday's blog.
