Sunday 22 January 2023

Sunday 22nd January

Another cold day with just a trickle weather related migrants; in the estuary higher counts of 229 Curlew and 67 Redshank were no doubt linked to the higher tide and frozen fields around the estuary, with 16 Wigeon and a Pintail offshore perhaps from further afield. 

Also offshore the three Eider, 20 Great Crested Grebe, nine Common Scoter and single Red-throated and Great Northern Diver. Other counts from the estuary included 1016 Dunlin, 181 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 129 Bar-tailed Godwit, 116 Teal, 96 Grey Plover and Knot, 69 Shelduck, 43 Turnstone, 13 Wigeon, seven Greenshank, four Pintail and Red-breasted Merganser, two Avocet and single Kingfisher and Sandwich Tern.

Elsewhere a Cetti's Warbler was in the Buffer Zone, 17 Cirl Bunting, four Redwing and two Sparrowhawk, Chiffchaff and Goldcrest in the bushes, and one of the (presumed) Scandinavian Rock Pipit was beginning to show its true colours in the Bight, wintering birds usually depart the Warren before starting their moult, but ringed birds have proved their presence from late autumn.

Wildlife News: Eight fresh molehills near the Go-karts were a welcome surprise, last being recorded in spring 2019, Mole was feared extinct on site. As they can live for up to six years, perhaps they have remained hidden underground all along? Permanent tunnels are used repeatedly for feeding over long periods of time, sometimes by several generations of moles.

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