27/02/2024

The highlight of a rather dull sea watch was these 5 Red-breasted Mergansers, my first of the year.

07.45-09.45 Wind N 3, Temp 6°  Clear

Common Scoter: 4E
Red-breasted Merganser: 5E
Great-crested Grebe:  529E   63 on
Oystercatcher: 1E
Kittiwake: 1E 
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
Guillemot: 25E    
Razorbill: 3E    
Auk sp: 80E    
Red-throated Diver: 29E    15W
Fulmar: 1E      
Gannet:16E    
Cormorant: Present: 646E   121W
Carrrion Crow: 2 NW in off 
Harbour Porpoise: 3

One of the Little Owls came out in the sunshine

The Black-throated and Great Norther Divers were on the ARC at the southern end. In a very flooded Willow Trail a couple of Chiffchaffs and several squealing Water Rails and a Great White Egret, if we don't get a very dry March, April and May then I can't see that there will be any nesting islands, apart from rafts that will be commandeered by the Herring Gulls. Even the new islands at Makepiece are only just clear of the water level, but they are already all but washed away with just thin strips showing that nothing would nest on. I hope I'm wrong but I am fearful.

The second Great Northern Diver was on Burrowes, also a couple of Goldeneye, 3 Ravens were noted but little else.

At Scotney 500+ Wigeon, 12 Pintail from the double bends, the geese seem to have deserted the sward, likewise the Golden plovers and Lapwing.

One of 3 Ravens over the reserve this afternoon