Turtle Doves!

05:30-07:00 from the sea watch hide with RW and AJG who collated the numbers:

Garganey: 1E with Scoter flock

Common Scoter: 111E

Great-crested Grebe: 3 around

Fulmar: 1W

Gannet: 73W

Cormorant: present n/c

Oystercatcher: 6W

Ringed Plover: 1W

Great Skua: 1 up

Kittiwake: 1W

Mediterranean Gull: 3W all 1st summer birds

Sandwich Tern: 21W

Common Tern: 4W

Common/Arctic Tern: Distant flock of c25 birds moving purposefully East

Guillemot: 3E with Scoter flock

Grey Seal: 1

Harbour Porpoise 5+

The Serin still showing well today

A 2hr late morning early afternoon sky watch from home saw just 2 Common Buzzards, a Marsh Harrier, a Kestrel and a few Swallow and House Martins, but no Swifts. SG called to say a Little Gull was hawking over Cooks Pool with Black-headed Gulls, although I could just about make out the Gulls from home I was unable to make out the Little Gull mainly due to the heat haze.

Another sea watch from the fishing boats 13:30-15:00 with AJG & RW:

Common Scoter: 39E

Great-crested Grebe: 3 around

Gannet: 37W

Cormorant: present n/c

Mediterranean Gull: 1E

Sandwich Tern: 12W

Common Tern: 6W

Grey Seal: 1

Harbour Porpoise: 6

At least it was very pleasant sitting in the warm sun.

A couple of hours later DW had a party of 3 Pomarine Skuas moving east.

 Turtle Dove Walland Marsh

On Walland this evening Turtle Doves were singing and displaying, a Barn Owl was out hunting, several Common Buzzards and a Marsh Harrier were seen, in the ditches a few Reed Warblers were singing, while in the hedgerow a few Tree Sparrows, a single Yellowhammer. Although it was good to see a few birds there it was still disappointing as there should be so much more. Large areas are now turf fields which were being sprayed with some horrible smelling poisons this evening, presumably to kill all insects and worms, cant have worm casts on the turf.