12/02/2022

07.00-10.00 from the sea watch hide with CP, RW & SO

Brent Goose: 33E (5 flocks)    

Pintail: 2E

Common Scoter: 3E

Red-throated Diver: 585E     27W     2 on

Great-crested Grebe:  5E

Fulmar: 10E      3W

Gannet: 504E      14W     

Cormorant: Present n/c

Oystercatcher: 3E

Turnstone: 1 present

Kittiwake: 253E   36W 

Black-headed Gull: present n/c

Mediterranean Gull: 6E

Common Gull: present n/c

Great Black-backed Gull: present n/c

Herring Gull: present n/c 

Great Skua: 1E 

Guillemot: 142E      

Razorbill: 54W

Auk sp: 2,530E

Common Buzzard Walland Marsh

It would appear that the 36 Bewick's swans at Dennes Road have started their journey back to Russia as they were not seen yesterday or today, the 12 Bewick's at Baynham Farm were still present today, but I was unable to find the 5 Whooper Swans which may also have left. There were still at least 3 Brambling in the large finch flock in the Sunflower field at Brookland, apart from a handful of Yellowhammers and Reed Buntings I saw little else. The guardians of the countryside have been busy again this week ripping out bushes and trees along the airfield edge at Hawthorn Corner, where Long-eared Owls used to roost.

A quick look from Dennis's saw little of note apart some Goldeneye, at least the islands weren't covered in Cormorants.

At the fishing boats this afternoon 300+ Great-crested Grebes off shore along with some Red-throated Divers and Guillemots. A 1w Yellow-legged Gull was attracted to some bread I threw out but didn't stay long due to the hordes of people and their dogs marching up and down the beach.

The lone red head Smew was again in with the Pochard and Tufty flock on the ARC seen from the causeway.

1w Yellow-legged Gull at the fishing boats this afternoon