Tuesday 21st January

A look off the seawall showed at least five Great-crested Grebe, four Red-throated Diver, four Common Scoter and a Guillemot but no sign of the Bonaparte's Gull or Velvet Scoter.

Monday 20th January

The Bonaparte's Gull remained along the beach off groynes 9 & 10 most of the morning, with two Long-tailed Duck, a Red-necked Grebe, two Eider and a Shoveler on the sea off John's Watch. Also on the sea the six Velvet Scoter were off the seawall with two Great Northern and two Red-throated Diver. Elsewhere counts from the estuary included 247 Curlew, 196 Redshank, 40 Shelduck and a Goldeneye with two Chiffchaff, two Water Rail and a Snipe by the Main Pond.

Bonaparte's Gull © Lee Collins

Sunday 19th January

The adult Bonaparte's Gull was again off the seawall this morning, with six Velvet Scoter and two Red-throated Diver. Also offshore, the Long-tailed Duck which was close in off Groyne 8. In the estuary there were two Goldeneye and the Slavonian Grebe with 50 Knot, 43 Bar and 11 Black-tailed Godwit, 32 Ringed Plover and two Mediterranean Gull also present.

 Long-tailed Duck © Lee Collins

Saturday 18th January

There was no sign of the Black Brant, Bonaparte's or Glaucous Gull however they were hardly missed as the Warren continued to offer some great winter birding despite the rain. A Balearic Shearwater south was the pick offshore although two Little Gull, 150+ Kittiwake, 15 Red-throated Diver and 80+ auk sp also headed south whilst at least four Velvet Scoter were occasionally on show in choppy conditions. Elsewhere a wrecked Great Skua sheltered on the golf course for much of the day and a Red-necked Grebe was in the estuary. Counts from the estuary included 588 Brent Geese to roost, 255 Black-tailed Godwit, both of these high counts are due to birds being displaced by flooding up estuary; 194 Grey Plover, 163 Bar-tailed Godwit, 70+ Curlew, 50+ Knot, two Greenshank, a Goldeneye, and an adult Mediterranean Gull.

Great Skua ©  Lee Collins

 

Wildlife News: A Grey Seal was in the estuary.

Friday 17th January

The Glaucous Gull reappeared on Bull Hill this afternoon with 41 Common and a Mediterranean Gull. Also in the estuary today the Black Brant with 260+ Dark-bellied Brent, a Long-tailed Duck, the Slavonian Grebe, five Greenshank and the first Kingfisher of the year. Elsewhere six Velvet Scoter were offshore with four Great Northern and two Red-throated Diver.

Glaucous Gull

Wednesday 15th January

The Slavonian Grebe was in the estuary, close in off the steps at Cockwood, in a brief look this afternoon but no other news was received.

Tuesday 14th January

The adult Bonaparte's Gull was feeding in the estuary during the morning along with the Slavonian Grebe and a Goldeneye. Elsewhere at least one Velvet Scoter and a Red-throated Diver were off Langstone Rock and a Siberian Chiffchaff was with two Chiffchaff in Dead Dolphin Wood.

Monday 13th January

The continuing presence of the Bonaparte's Gull along the beach, the Slavonian Grebe in the estuary and six Velvet Scoter off Langstone Rock was the only news received.

Sunday 12th January

The Black Brant was again on site with 189 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, also in the estuary 128 Wigeon, 55 Shelduck, 53 Teal, 53 Knot, 28 Ringed Plover, two Pintail, two Mediterranean Gull and the Slavonian Grebe. Elsewhere the Bonaparte's Gull was along the beach and two Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver flew south.

Saturday 11th January

In flat calm conditions most of the interest was offshore feeding in the bay. The highlight, although very distant, was a Red-necked Grebe, although two Shoveler offshore were another first for the year. Also present six Velvet Scoter, two Eider, six Red-throated and two Great Northern Diver. Elsewhere the Bonaparte's Gull was still present with two Cirl Bunting again showing up in Greenland Lake.

 

Grey Wagtail © Simon Thurgood