Saturday 12th January 2019

2,022 Cormorant went out fishing almost all on mass. In the river & offshore more gulls than recently with 500 Common Gull worth a mention. Movements almost non-existent with southbound 2 Shelduck & Oyk with northbound 9 Common Scoter, Gannet & Red-throated Diver plus a Bonxie that put in a couple of appearances.

Mines of Stigmella aurella is common on Bramble although the adult is only rarely seen.

Friday 11th January 2019

1,180 Cormorants headed out early. Walk to the point produced the Purple Sandpiper but almost nothing else.

Thursday 10th January 2019

1,960 Cormorants went out fishing on mass early. Dull winters morning enlivened by a drake Goosander heading south plus the first 3 Med Gull & Greenfinch noted this year. Purp was on the point at low tide but flew off calling for no obvious reason, presumably heading for the groynes along the seafront. Wintering pair of Stonechat at north end concludes the voting.

Wednesday 9th January 2019

1,552 Cormorants headed out earlier as it was barely getting light. Offshore southbound 13 Black-headed Gull, 6 Shelduck, Common Scoter, Common Gull & Red-throated Diver with northbound 3 Brents. 2 Goldcrest on site are obviously attempting to winter but they can be extremely elusive at this time of the year.

Keep the moth year list going with mines on the Holm Oaks of Ectoedemia heringella & Stigmella suberivora. Interestingly the older Holm Oaks are plastered with E.heringella with none on the fresher leaves of the Holm Oaks copparded in January 2017. The fresher leaves on the copparded trees support S.suberivora, which is also on the older leaves, but not in the same quantity. E.heringella was only discovered in the UK for the first time 20 years ago but try finding a Holm Oak that isn't infested with it in this part of the world.

Tuesday 8th January 2019

Storm surge - but nothing serious and no worse than a good spring tide. A Woodcock on site has presumably escaped from some colder weather elsewhere. Offshore movements almost nil. A Turnstone on the tideline is the first for the year here which is such a shame as we used to note 10 - 20 daily mid-winter last century.

Good to get the moth list for the year started with the Herald hibernating in one of the buildings.

Monday 7th January 2019

1,950 Cormorant went out fishing. Just over an hours sea watching was deadly quiet with southbound 3 Red-throated Diver, drake Wigeon and northbound Red-throated until livened up by 2 Velvet Scoter heading south reasonably close in immediately prior to time for walkies. Velvet's used to me more regular off here last century but we are pleased if it reaches the year list in recent times. Walkies produced the pair of Stonechat wintering at the north end & 35 House Sparrows but very little else.

Sunday 6th January 2019

1,980 Cormorants went out fishing early on with a Redwing calling as they went. Half hour seawatching produced just 3 Shelduck south and 2 Oyk & Red-throated Diver north. A walk around the point was birdless & the rest of the reserve didn't feel much better. Dull start degenerating to fine drizzle late morning capped off a riveting day.