13th January 2013 and previous days

Mediterranean Gull (left) with Common Gull

Oystercatchers disturbed from Middle Eye at high tide

A trip staying over for one of the highest tides of the winter saw 12,500 Oystercatchers roosting on Middle but unfortunately disturbed by canoeists as often happens at weekends despite sailing clubs being requested to keep clear of the islands at this time. Highlights of the day were an adult Mediterranean Gull and 100 Golden Plover. The sea watch produced 6 Red-throated Divers, 206 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Razorbills, 2 Guillemots, 7 Common Scoter while the only wildfowl of the day were 6 Wigeon and the Brent flock which was counted at 234 individuals.Only 12 Purple Sandpipers could be found roosting the tide with 73 Turnstones, other waders noted were 36 Ringed Plover, 17 Sanderling, 18 Redshank and 3 Bar-tailed Godwits. There were few land birds, just 3 each of Song Thrush, Blackbird and Robins with 6 Wrens and a single Rock Pipit.
  (DB,NDW,SRW,PSW + Mark Payne)   photos SRW

Purple Sandpiper

9th January :- 1 juvenile Shag, 1 Red-throated Diver, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 12 Common Scoter, 2 Guillemot, 8,000 Knot (east Hoyle), 240 Curlew, 160 Turnstone, 30 Redshank, 4 Robins, 2 Dunnocks. 2 Little Egrets.
(DB)
8th January :- 240 Brent, 25 Teal, 1 juvenile Shag, 320 Curlew, 32 Shelduck, 10,000 Knot (east hoyle), 12 Grey Plover, 30 Redshank, 65 Sanderling, 6 Linnets (little eye).
(DB,AEH,CJW)
6th January :- male and female Pintail, 21 Teal, 237 Brent, 130 Sanderling, 4 Ringed Plovers, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Kestrel,
(DB)

View from Middle looking south