Thursday 17th February

The calm before the storm, a pleasantly sunny and warm early Spring day. Offshore in flat conditions the immature male Velvet Scoter was still present, with a Great Northern Diver and 11 Great-crested Grebe. 

Elsewhere a Black-necked Grebe, six Red-breasted Merganser and a Greenshank were in the estuary at low tide with a pair of Shoveler, two Little Grebe and a Snipe around the Main Pond.

Snipe - Alan Keatley

Wildlife News: Despite the weather few insects were on the wing, but the first Sand Lizard was reported and Sand Crocus leaves are now up in numbers with Early Meadow-grass conspicuous in the short turf. 

Gorse Weevil Exapion ulicis - Alan Keatley