Friday, 17 December 2021

17th December 2021

 Weather: E force 2/3   cloudy then sunny intervals and mild

 A total of 14 Redwings were heard passing over before dawn, but the only other 'migrants' were 4 Starlings flying south over the island after midday. A drake Eider floated west passed the island but unfortunately continued on it's way to towards Wales.

 Other wildfowl today included 4 Wigeon that flew passed the island,

also 246 Common Scoter, 283 Shelduck and of course the Brent, 345 today including 3 dark-bellied birds.

 and 28 Pink-footed Geese flew south down the west side. Counts at high tide featured 5 Grey Plover, 66 Redshank, 186 Curlew, 80 Dunlin, 181 Turnstone and 18 Purple Sandpiper, the latter giving encouragement after the poor numbers of the last few winters.

A Red-throated Diver and a Shag were on the sea, there were 6 Grey Herons but only a single Little Egret. A very worn Peacock butterfly was a surprise find in the Newton trap.

Photos CJ, AS

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