Monday 27th January 2014

Offshore heading south 38 Red-throated Diver, 26 Knot, 21 Wigeon, 14 Brent, 8 Grey Plover, 6 Kitts, 5 Barwit, 5 Guillemot, 4 Pintail, 4 Dunlin, 2 Great-crested Grebe, 2 Golden Plover, Teal & Mallard plus going north 19 Red-throats. Usual mass of Cormorants headed out first thing but what is more interesting in recent days is Starlings heading out of roost at this end of the dock early on in recent days peaking at 181 birds this morning. Starling numbers have been declining over the years & apart from a very small handful of birds loitering around the View Point car park during the day it can be difficult to find any on site in the winter any more. A Redwing was a first of the year and, finally, I am informed that only 8 Snow Bunts are out there on the reserve this morning.