Weather: SE force 4/5 sunny
Before sunrise this morning 240 Pink-footed Geese flew out of the estuary along with 300 Cormorant, 280 Brent Geese fed around the islands. A female Goosander was at the North End and the 6 Eider stayed around the east side of Middle over tide. A Peregrine was seen west of Middle but the Kestrel was not about today. In Niffy Bay were 260 Turnstone, 53 Redshank, 100 Dunlin and 50 Knot.
Sadly the roost on Middle did not form properly due to constant disturbance by a photographer who kept changing position, please note that permission to stay on Middle over tide has to be given by the Ranger and a photographers hide should be used. Seventy Curlew had landed but left and didn't return, 4,800 Oystercatcher spent much of high tide flying around using up the fat reserves that they are trying to build ready for migration. The seal haul out on the West Hoyle only held 32 but a singleton came out onto the lifeboat slipway.
Photos AS
