Friday 31st January

The continued presence of the Bonaparte's Gull was the only news received today.

Thursday 30th January

The Bonaparte's Gull was reported offshore again with the Red-necked Grebe, a Long-tailed Duck, at least two Velvet Scoter, six Red-throated and three Great Northern Diver.

Wednesday 29th January

The Red-necked Grebe was offshore with the two Long-tailed Duck, the two female Eider, two Red-throated and two Great Northern Diver. Elsewhere an adult Yellow-legged Gull, the first of the year, and the Slavonian Grebe were in the estuary and a Water Pipit was on the Golf Course.

Tuesday 28th January

The Bonaparte's Gull made a reappearance in the estuary for at least 30 minutes late morning, also from the hide the Slavonian Grebe and two Greenshank. The Black-necked Grebe and two Long-tailed Duck were off John's Watch, the Red-necked Grebe was off Groyne 6 and five Velvet Scoter, two Great Northern and at least 25 Red-throated Diver were also offshore.

Monday 27th January

The first confirmed Water Pipit of the year, there are several presumed littoralis Rock Pipit also present, was on the Golf Course to the west of the hide mid morning, also there the Black Brant. Offshore the Red and Black-necked Grebe were still present along with at least four Velvet Scoter, two Long-tailed Duck, five Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver. Elsewhere the Slavonian Grebe was in the estuary and three Bullfinch and a Green Woodpecker were in the Entrance Bushes.

Sunday 26th January

The heavy rain and strong winds overnight changed things offshore with counts of only five Red-throated Diver and two Great-crested Grebe. The male Long-tailed Duck, the Red-necked Grebe and the six Velvet Scoter were however still present. Elsewhere an adult Glaucous Gull flew in off the sea before heading off towards Mudbank Lane, the Black Brant was on the Golf Course with 255 Brent Geese and counts from the estuary included 200+ Grey Plover, 74 Knot, 32 Ringed Plover, 31 Sanderling, three Greenshank and the Slavonian Grebe.

Saturday 25th January

Another day with plenty of activity offshore including six Velvet Scoter, Red-necked, Black-necked and 40+ Great-crested Grebe, two Eider, two Long-tailed Duck, two Great Northern and c40 Red-throated Diver but again no sign of the Bonaparte's Gull. In the estuary the resident Slavonian Grebe made it another five grebe day, also there the Black Brant with c400 Brent Geese, 150+ Common and two Mediterranean Gull, 32 Ringed Plover and four Greenshank. Elsewhere two Cirl Bunting were mobile around site, a Mistle Thrush briefly pitched into Greenland Lake and eight Raven, the first of the year, flew over.

Long-tailed Duck © Lee Collins

Friday 24th January

A flat calm sea combined with overcast skies provided ideal conditions for viewing offshore. The first Black-necked Grebe of the year and a new male Long-tailed Duck joined the Red-necked Grebe and six Velvet Scoter already present. Also offshore a minimum count of 48 Red-throated Diver, a record non-passage site count, 31+ Great-crested Grebe, just seven Common Scoter, two Eider and two Great Northern Diver. Elsewhere the resident Slavonian Grebe was in the estuary where counts included 211 Grey Plover, 67 Knot, 52 Wigeon, 39 Teal, 31 Ringed Plover and 24 Turnstone.

 Great Northern Diver © Lee Collins

Red-necked Grebe © Lee Collins

Thursday 23rd January

The Bonaparte's Gull was off the seawall early afternoon before heading along the beach towards Exmouth, also offshore 16+ Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver, two Velvet Scoter and a Long-tailed Duck. Elsewhere counts from the estuary included 189 Grey Plover, 50 Knot, 32 Ringed Plover and 25+ Sanderling.

Wednesday 22nd January

The Bonaparte's Gull was offshore again today with single Black-throated and Great Northern Diver also present. Elsewhere c400 Brent Geese were in the estuary with 140 Grey Plover, c50 Wigeon, 29 Ringed Plover, 15 Cormorant including a sinensis, a Goldeneye and the Slavonian Grebe.

Wildlife News: The Grey Seal was off Warren Point.