Busy on the sea this morning!

I joined AJG, BM, DW and MH at The Point this morning. We were watching from the shelter of our cars due to the rain and surprisingly cold NW wind. Totals collated by AJG 07.00 - 10.00 all are moving west unless stated:

Red-throated Diver: 3

Balearic Shearwater: 1

Gannet: 407

Brent Goose: 3

Common Scoter: 51

Red-breasted Merganser: 2

Merlin: 1 in

Great Skua: 24

Arctic Skua: 4

Sandwich Tern: 7

Kittiwake: 24

Little Gull: 1 o/s

Mediterranean Gull: 4 o/s

Auk sp: 33

Swallow: 1

Goldfinch: 77

The Long-tailed Duck was still at Scotney GP at the far western end in Sussex, on the Kent side 100+ Golden Plover, 2 Marsh Harriers and the Barnacle Goose flock.

At the ARC from Hanson a Great White Egret, a Marsh Harrier and the usual wildfowl, no sign of the Glossy Ibis there but it may well be in the fields around Boulderwall farm. In the Willow Trail a showy Firecrest, 2 Chiffchaffs and a Squealing Water Rail.

                                                 Firecrest in the Willow Trail

                                                  Firecrest in the Willow Trail

Firecrest in the Willow Trail

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The 2 Purple Sandpipers were near the Lifeboat station DB. 3 Common Buzzards, a Hen Harrier and a Short-eared Owl were seen on The Point DW.