07/05/2025

A Great Skua passing distantly off shore this morning

As a cool NE wind was blowing again this morning I didn't expect much to be passing.

 07.00-08.30 from the hide

Common Scoter: 6E    7W

Great-crested Grebe: 32 present  

Oystercatcher: 2E

Whimbrel: 1E    1W

Bar-tailed Godwit: 10E

Little Tern: 1E

Commic Tern: 4E

Sandwich Tern: 44E      17W

Kittiwake: 42E   

Black-headed Gull: 5W

Herring Gull: Present n/c

Great Black-backed Gull: Present n/c

Great Skua: 1E

Auk sp: 3E

Guillemot: 1E 

Gannet: 81E 

Cormorant: present N/C

Swallow: 3 In off the sea

Sand Martin: 13 In off the sea

Harbour Porpoise: 1

Grey Seal: 1

A party of 10 Bar-tailed Godwits passing 

4 of the 6 Common Sandpipers at the ARC from Hanson this morning

As I made my way home for breakfast after the morning sea watch I stopped at the ARC on route. From Hanson I was pleased to see at least 2 Black-headed Gulls appearing to be sitting on nests, also 3 Avocets there and 6 Common Sandpipers. Over the lake 100s of Swallows and Swifts.

Male Yellow Wagtail at Scotney

After breakfast I drove to the old sand pit and wandered around the now full to the brim lake hoping in vain to find some waders. There were a few duck and Mute Swans there and in the surrounding fields Skylarks, Corn Buntings, Linnets and Yellow Wagtails. Carrying on to the Western pit there was 1 each of Avocet, Greenshank, LRP and Common Sandpiper, also many Swifts and Swallows hawking over the pit.

I carried on to the farm seeing more Yellow Wagtails and checking the islands on the way which appear to have completely been taken over by Herring Gulls, even the Eastern Pits held few birds apart from Greylag Geese. Heading back to my car at the old sand pit I walked the length of the main pits seeing just 5 Whimbrel of any note on the sward. All in all a rather disappointing long hike, I keep telling myself if you get out and look you'll never see or find anything.

Another male Yellow Wagtail

A posing female Yellow Wagtail at the back Scotney