Saturday 30th December 2017

Two Pale-bellied Brent Geese along the beach line is only the 14th site record and only the second record involving more than one individual. 1,220 Cormorant went out fishing early on. Offshore southbound 9 Kitts, 7 Common Gull & 2 Brent with northbound 2 Common Scoter. Fieldfare still on site plus a new Songie.

Ringing: 1 Fieldfare, 1 Song Thrush.

Friday 29th December 2017

It's grim out there with rain so heavy at times visibility was very poor. Usual dose of Cormorants went out as usual but even they were late on parade this morning. A handful of Kitts on the move but not a lot else noted although 3 Skylark went south regardless of the weather conditions. What was yesterdays Fieldfare is still with us but its not pleasant this morning so time to abandon ship.

Thursday 28th December 2017

1,912 Cormorant went out fishing early on a glorious sunny frosty morning which prevented any meaningful sea watching. 3 Wood Pigeon going south is a bit odd to have any Woodies moving at this time of the year. A Fieldfare was calling first light & the regular female Stonechat was on the Butts. The Med Gulls here appear to have an innate knowledge of when the fishermen are about to pack up and go home.

Wednesday 27th December 2017

Dull old morning with the wind veering northerly and increasing in strength, temperature dropping & precipitation increasing. The gloom was lifted by perseverance starring out to sea with a Velvet Scoter heading north not far offshore and a fine male Goosander heading south. Also noted southbound 29 Red-throated Diver, 14 Common Scoter, 5 Brent,4 Shelduck, 4 Common Gull, 4 Kitts, 3 Black-headed Gull & Tufted Duck with northbound 16 Common Scoter, 12 Red-throats 2 Brent plus 2 Turnstone along the beach which are probably local wintering birds. At least 5 more Red-throats were just offshore fishing. 1,826 Cormorants went out fishing in the half-light first thing. None of the die hard observers here this morning has the enthusiasm to walk around the reserve in these conditions to confirm that there is not a lot out there - and who can blame them !

Tuesday 26th December 2017

On the move southbound 36 Red-throated Diver, 15 Common Gull, 5 Brent, 1 Great-crested Grebe, 1 Common Scoter & 1 Great-northern Diver which hung a right hander into the river with northbound 19 Red-throats, 3 Brent, 1 Oyk & 1 Kittiwake. 1,969 Cormorant went out fishing early on & the female Stonechat is still with us.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird.

Monday 25th December 2017

Offshore southbound 18 Red-throated Diver, 11 Kitts, 8 Brent, 2 Mallard, Great-crested Grebe & Gannet with northbound 17 Red-throats, 2 Gannet, Brent, Kitt & Bonxie (although this pitched in). An additional 8 Red-throats sat on the sea is suggesting that more are currently moving into the area. 1,504 Cormorants went out fishing early on and with low tides as they go out it looks like an oil slick on the Cork Sands in the distance. At least 2 Goldcrests still loitering but that's your lot.

Sunday 24th December 2017

Bit more moving offshore with southbound 35 Red-throated Diver, 16 Wigeon, 11 Kitts, 8 Brent, 8 Common Gull, 7 Common Scoter, 5 Teal, 3 Shelduck, 2 Black-headed Gull & 1 Gadwal with northbound 12 Red-throats, 10 Brent & 8 Common Scoter. 1144 Cormorants went out fishing early on. In the passerine department 4 Skylark went south & at least 1 Goldcrest is still lingering in the Holm Oaks.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird.