12/05/2022

A very sparse sea watch this morning:

07.00-08.00

Common Scoter: 2W

Great-crested Grebe: 2 on

Gannet: 7E 19W

Cormorant: present n/c

Sanderling: 10W

Kittiwake: 9W

Black-headed Gull: present n/c

Mediterranean Gull: 1E

Common Gull: present n/c

Great Black-backed Gull: present n/c

Herring Gull: present n/c

Sandwich Tern: 1W

Commic: 15E

Auk sp: 3E 1W

Swift: 7 in

Harbour Porpoise: 2

Grey Seal: 1

Oystercatchers in the Common Gull box at Dennis's hide this morning

3 Visits to Dennis's today, Kingfisher seen on 2 occasions, up to 12 Dunlin, 6 Ringed Plover and 8 Sanderling, just a handful of Swallows over the lake but still no Terns. I did visit the Firth and Makepiece viewpoint, strangely I had them all to myself, probably something to do with the wind howling through them.

Marsh Harrier adding to its nest at the ARC today

At the ARC apart from Marsh Harriers, squealing Water Rails and another Kingfisher, I saw little of note

and once again no Terns.

The local Common Buzzard over the garden while I was having a coffee break

Yellow Wagtail

A long walk around Scotney toady found just 8 Yellow Wagtails, hopefully more to arrive, 24 Avocets, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 56 Dunlin, 4 Redshank, a few Corn Buntings, lots of Skylarks, 4 Tree Sparrows, a few Common Buzzards and Little Egrets, along withe usual feral Geese and their offspring. The strong WSW wind was probably to blame for the paucity of birds.

female Yellow Wagtail at Scotney

A smart male Linnet at Scotney

A Maple Prominent in the Plodland trap this morning, a scarce moth down here