6th March 2020

Weather: S force 1
An early start to arrive before the tide on a cold calm morning.

The drake Eider showed well on the flat water, as did 2 Harbour Porpoise.

Other ducks featured prominently including a pair of Goosanders, 13 Red-breasted Mergansers, 9 Wigeon, 3 Shelduck and 236 Common Scoter, while among seabirds seen were 35 Great Crested Grebes, 6 Red-throated Divers and 2 Guillemots. There were now 2 male Stonechats on the island,

 and later on one became the first to be ringed

Plenty of other migrats again today with 3 Grey and 4 Pied Wagtails, 4 Skylarks, 2 Greenfinches, a Reed Bunting, a Goldfinch, 3 Siskins, 2 Rock Pipits and potential breeders in the form of 12 Meadow Pipits and 5 Linnets. A Rook and a Woodpigeon added to the species total. The singing Song Thrush was caught and ringed, as was a Robin (2 others, 8 Wrens and a Blackbird were also present).

Raptors have been scarce this year and 2 Peregrines were the only representatives today. Best of the waders were 4 Purple Sandpiper, 114 Redshank, 300 Knot, 18 Grey Plover and 36 Turnstone.
Ringed: 1 Robin, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Stonechat.      [ 5-5 ]
photos JE,SRW