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Saturday 1st January 2022

With mild conditions it was surprising that a few birds were on the move offshore with southbound 78 Wigeon, 27 Brent, 10 Teal, 7 Shelduck, 7 Shoveler, 5 Pintail, 2 Red-breasted Merganser & Shag with northbound 3 Red-throated Diver & Shelduck plus 5 Kitts loitering. 2 Purp were on the point and a Guillemot in the river.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird

December Ringing Totals

11 birds of 5 species.

House Sparrow 4

Blackbird 3

Song Thrush 2

Fieldfare 1

Mediterranean Gull 1

The 2021 annual ringing total was less than 2,000 birds. Our previous lowest total was 2,762 in 2019 with the highest 9,622 in 1998. As numbers have been declining this century are we just going to have to get used to less birds to ring & look at ?

Friday 31st December 2021

This youngster was reared on the museum roof this year and is still begging from its parent by the view point car park.

Mild for the time of the year plus the sun came out for a change! 254 Cormorant headed out fishing early on. Offshore southbound 2 Dunlin, 2 Shelduck, Brent & Goldeneye with northbound 4 Red-throated Diver plus 11 Kitts loitering. A Shag flew down river, Purp was on the point with the Rock Pipit on the shore by the docks.

Ringing: 1 House Sparrow.

Thursday 30th December 2021

Much milder weather induced a Song Thrush to sing along View Point Road at dawn and 9 Linnet to pay a visit. A new Songie turned up (but may have been here yesterday). Offshore southbound 12 Wigeon, Common Gull & the first Fulmar of the "spring". The last Fulmar was back on September 2nd as they are pelagic when they moult in the autumn with the first individuals starting to return off here from January. This one was three weeks earlier than the first of the year this year suggesting it is possibly a non-breeding bird or failed breeder this year as they are known to commence and complete their moult earlier than successful nesters allowing them to start their late winter & spring wanderings before successful nesters have completed their moult cycle.

Ringing: 1 Song Thrush

Wednesday 29th December 2021

Running out of adjectives to describe the miserable weather with, yet again, more mist, drizzle & rain up to early afternoon. 814 Cormorant headed out fishing early on. Southbound 47 Wigeon, 3 Brent, 3 Shelduck, Common Scoter, Oyk & Red-throated Diver. 22 Kitts were following shipping. A small group of Dunlin, Ringed Plover & 5 Sanderling were on the beach in the early morning mist as it was getting light. At the point 4 Turnstone, 2 Purps & Rock Pipit.

Tuesday 28th December 2021

Another dismal morning with yet more rain clearing to deliver damp dreary strong westerlies. Starring offshore largely a waste of time in the early morning mist and rain. 853 Cormorant headed out fishing early on and a quick walk around produced 2 Turnstone & a Purp. 4 Redwing in the compound early on could well be yesterdays birds.

Monday 27th December 2021

Another dank morning but at least the rain held off till late am. 964 Cormorant headed out towards the Cork Sands for breakfast early on. On site 10 Fieldfare, 6 Turnstone, 4 Redwing, 2 Lapwing, Mipit plus a charm of 21 Goldfinch are worth a mention. Offshore southbound 18 Shelduck, 8 Teal, 6 Wigeon, 4 Brent, 4 Red-throated Diver & Guillemot with northbound single Brent & Red-throat in an hours observation.

Sunday 26th December 2021

Grim morning due to rain & poor visibility. 600 Cormorant headed out fishing early on. Southbound 50 Shelduck, 30 Brent, 6 Red-throated Diver, 5 Gadwal, 2 Common Gull, 2 Dunlin & Red-breasted Merganser with northbound 2 Common Scoter & Red-throat. At least 6 Fieldfare & 5 Redwing are on site plus 2 Lapwing putting in an appearance mid-morning. No enthusiasm to wander around the reserve in these conditions.