Friday 31st May

At sea, 130 Common Scoter was by far the largest count of the year so far; c20 Kittiwake (from the Straight Point colony), 11 Canada Goose flew east very distantly, three Great Northern Diver (one flew high up the estuary), a Red-throated Diver, single-figures of Gannet, Shag and Fulmar.

On the ponds, a second brood of tiny Little Grebe chicks were being monitored by a Grey Heron, as were the three remaining Mallard ducklings, though the five Canada Goose goslings seem safe enough in the company of their ever vigilant parent birds.

The high tide supported 61 Sanderling, 30 Dunlin, only 22 Oystercatcher, 12 Ringed Plover, 11 Great Black-backed Gull and six Sandwich Tern, one with a lime-green coded colour ring (could be Dutch).  Also three Black-headed Gull and a first-summer Mediterranean Gull flew in off to the estuary.  Six Swallow passed overhead.

 Cirl Bunting - Simon Thurgood

Wildlife News: The first Large Skipper of the year were on the wing.

Large Skipper - Simon Thurgood