New Year period

A quiet time of the year for birds as expected, although calmer and milder than normal weather encouraged the daffodils to emerge (left). Consistent records of Common seals give the hope that they may become a permanent feature around the islands in the future.
4th January :- 42 Bar-tailed Godwits, 30 Ringed Plover, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Little Egrets, 1 Shag. 30 Linnets. 6 Common Seals in a separate haul out.
(BSB,DB,JE) photos  JE
3rd January :- an adult Gannet at the north end, (probably sick), 1 Shag, 15 Sanderling, 2 Little Egrets,1 Rock Pipit (Middle), 3 Blackbirds, 4 Song Thrushes and 31 Linnets, 3 Common Seals.
(DB)

Little Egret

2nd January :- A massive flock of 35,000 Knot moving between Little Eye and over Red Rocks on the flood tide, 2,500 Dunlin, 20 Purple Sandpipers, 35 Ringed Plover, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Shag, 12 Linnets and a Common Seal at the north end tide gauge.
(CJW,DB)
1st January :- 42 Redshank, 2 Grey Plover, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Common seal.
(DB+ESCA)
31st December :- 1 female Goldeneye, 22 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Guillemots, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Shag, 1 Common Seal.
(MGT,DB+ESCA)