1 of 3 around the car park

Another day of cold Northerly winds with sleet, hail and rain showers. A stop at the New Diggings on my way to the beach saw both Slavonian and both Black-necked Grebes.

At The Patch the bulk of the c1,000 Gulls was made up of Black-headed Gulls, I was unable again to find any of the more unusual Gulls. On the sea the usual Great-crested Grebes and Cormorants, with a few Red-throated Divers and Gannets tooing and froing. Back at the car park 3 Black Redstarts were chasing around. At least 1 was ringed so they probably resident birds. Very little in the lighthouse garden though 2 Blue Tits dropped out of the sky pausing briefly before heading off north along the peninsula.

A walk from the ARC car park to the pines saw of note 2 Marsh Harriers, 4 Common Snipe, 3 Cetti's Warblers, a Chiffchaff and a red head Smew on the top tower pit. 

At a bleak Scotney a few Ringed Plovers and Meadow pipits on the sward was a poor highlight. 

Most the rest of the day was taken up with domestic stuff, though a short visit to Dennis's hide saw 7 Goldeneye, 3 Smew including the drake and a couple of Marsh Harriers.