Winter Birding!

08.00-09.30 from The Point:

Brent Goose: 2 up

Common Scoter: 1 down

Red-throated Diver: 243 down  7 up

Great-crested Grebe: 21 up

Gannet: 276 down

Cormorant: many present n/c

Merlin: 2 around

Great Skua: 3 down

Kittiwake: 29 down

Guillemot: 34 up     7 down

Auk sp: 42 up    17 down

Long-eared Owl

I spent most the rest of the day around the reserve where the Long-eared Owl was sun bathing and showing quite nicely. From Firth  hide an adult Little Gull was a surprise as was the Peregrine that put an end to the Gull watching there. Several colour ringed Herring Gulls were noted and a Raven flew over.

Peregrine on ridge in front of Firth

From Makepiece Hide 3 Caspian Gulls were located including a colour ringed 2w bird, also 2 Yellow-legged Gulls.

 Raven over Firth

Good numbers of Pintail, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Pochard, Tufted Duck and Shoveler can be seen around the reserve, only a few Goldeneye are present while Goosanders are irregular at the moment and no Smew have arrived yet. Cetti's Warblers are quite vocal at the moment as are Water Rail both of which can be heard at several places around the reserve. 3+ Kingfishers are on the reserve, Marsh Harriers, Great White and Little Egrets can easily be seen, the Cattle Egret seems very elusive though it was reported today, Bitterns are also very elusive so hopefully the colder weather may tempt them to show themselves. It looks as though this year will be the first in many years that I haven't seen Ruddy Duck.

2w Caspian Gull Yellow ringed X136