SATURDAY 7th JANUARY 2012

More action than would be expected for the time of the year & in the current weather conditions. 2 Pochard south are notable as this species is unusually scarce here. 2 Marsh Harriers south are distinctly unseasonable with the number of January records over the years easily countable on one hand. Also on the move 51 Cormorants north 137 south, 27 Red-throated Divers north 17 south, 2 Shelduck north 41 south, 4 Brents north 13 south, 2 Black-throated Divers north, Gannet north, Eider north & Red-breasted Merganser south. A couple of Lesser Black-backed Gulls also noted with this species being surprisingly scarce here in mid-winter despite plenty of them wintering just up river from us. Apologies for the late posting of this weekends sightings due to attending the annual meeting of the Bird Observatories Council at Gib Point.