Across the Channel!

Sea watching from the top of Cap Gris Nez.

Another brilliant day out in northern France with MH,CP and PT. We started with a surprisingly good sea watch at Cap Gris Nez in hazy, still, warm conditions.

Brent Goose: c150N

Garganey: 1N

Common Scoter: c100N

Red-breasted merganser: 7N

Red-throated Diver: 204N

Great-crested Grebe: c25 on sea
Fulmar: c30N

Gannet: c100N

Cormorant: present N/C

Curlew: 4N

Dunlin: 8N

Kittiwake: c100N

Mediterranean Gull: 5N

Little Gull: c30N

Sandwich Tern: 6N

Razorbill: 1N

Auk sp: 9N

Rock Pipit: several present

Yellowhammer: several present.

Harbour Porpoise: 4+

Grey Seal: 1

Several Grey Partridges seen in nearby fields.

Our next stop was Guinnes where in now gloriously warm sunshine we saw several each of Short-toed Treecreepers, Nuthatches, Marsh Tits, Long-tailed Tits a couple of Common Buzzards soared over the wood and Chiffchaffs were singing but woodpeckers were notable by there absence. Also 2 Hawfinches were seen by one of us, not me.  Nearby a Kingfish, Great-white Egret and more Short-toed Treecreepers and Chiffchaffs singing, a Water Rail scuttled along a ditch and others were calling. The ditches around the board walk held plenty of Toads and Frogs.

Next stop was Oye Plage, around the car park 5+ Chiffchaff, from the hide 5 Garganey and plenty of Teal, Gadwall, Wigeon, Pintail, and Mallard, c30 Common Snipe, 15+ Golden Plover, many Lapwing and Little Grebe. At The Escardines c70 Avocet, 2 Black-necked Grebes, 2 Spoonbills, c100 Pintail and more Wigeon, Teal and Shelduck.

 Another good day out in great company with a total of 100 species seen today.