Sunday 17th December

Flat calm conditions offshore lead to some big counts but many birds were a long way out. Totals included 79 Great-crested Grebe, 31 Great Northern and 20+ Red-throated Diver with the first four returning Fulmar, just five Common Scoter, three Eider and an immature male Long-tailed Duck. The latter flew into the estuary later. Elsewhere a Great Northern Diver was off Cockwood and four Shoveler remain on the Main Pond.