Thursday 2nd January

The weather accommodated a full days birding and the majority of expected species were recorded on site. The Bonaparte's Gull was seen both in the estuary and off Langstone Rock, with at least six Velvet Scoter also off the rock. Also offshore 169 Shag, 13 Common Scoter, a Long-tailed Duck, seven Red-throated and four Great Northern Diver. In the estuary counts included 173 Grey Plover, 76 Wigeon, 54 Knot, 49 Shelduck, 26 Ringed Plover, a Greenshank, an adult Mediterranean Gull, the Slavonian Grebe and just one Teal. Elsewhere a Greylag Goose flew along the spit, 225+ Herring and 53 Great Black-backed Gull were feeding on the beach, 133 Linnet were around the Bight, a Siberian Chiffchaff was by the First Pond and two Cirl Bunting were in Greenland Lake.