Saturday 31st January

Offshore the first Black-throated Diver of the year was seen briefly from the seawall with the Black-necked Grebe and Bonaparte's Gull also making appearances. A Long-tailed Duck that eventually flew south was another new arrival with the long-staying female still present towards the estuary mouth. Also offshore three Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver. From the hide counts included 160 Bar-tailed Godwit, 57 Knot, 23+ Turnstone, 15 Sanderling and 14 Ringed Plover with the Water Pipit still present. Elsewhere six Shoveler and five Gadwall were on the Main Pond, four of the Shoveler were also seen on the First Pond - the first record from this location.

Friday 30th January

Records from the hide included 1560 Dunlin, 42 Grey Plover, 36 Bar-tailed Godwit, 30 Knot, 17 Ringed Plover, a pair of Pintail and the Water Pipit. Elsewhere the Black-necked Grebe was off the seawall. 

Pintail - Lee Collins

Wednesday 28th January

A 40 minute seawatch early morning saw 408 auks head south offshore with 200+ Razorbill & 23 Guillemot close enough to identify. Elsewhere 30 Great Black-backed Gull were seeking shelter in the Bight, five of which were ringed, two UK, two French and a Norwegian bird. 

Great Black-backed Gull 97P from Normandy, France - Lee Collins

Tuesday 27th January

The Bonaparte's Gull was offshore late morning, landing briefly on Groyne 4 before heading over the spit towards Shutterton Creek. No other news was received. 

Sunday 25th January

Sample half hour counts offshore suggested 5000+ auk flying south during the day with numbers dropping off early afternoon, all those close enough to identify were Razorbill. Also offshore 50+ Kittiwake, a Black-necked and 28 Great-crested Grebe, 21 Red-throated Diver and two Velvet Scoter. In the estuary counts included 1247 Dunlin, 875 Oystercatcher, 399 Brent Geese, 201 Curlew, 155 Grey Plover, 125 Teal, 58 Shelduck, 46 Knot, 32 Turnstone, five Snipe and two Greenshank. Elsewhere a silent tristis -type Chiffchaff was in bushes by the Main Pond, five Gadwall and three Shoveler were on the pond and four Raven were overhead.

Greenshank - Lee Collins

Saturday 24th January

The Bonaparte's Gull was offshore briefly late morning before flying over the Dune Ridge and showing well in front of the hide. Also offshore the female Long-tailed Duck was off John's Watch with eight Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver were from the seawall. Counts from the estuary included c280 Brent Geese, 174 Curlew, 156 Grey Plover, 128 Redshank, 67 Knot, 65 Shelduck, a Greenshank and the Slavonian Grebe. Elsewhere five Gadwall and three Shoveler were on the Main Pond, a Treecreeper was behind the Crocus Compound and two Siskin flew east. 

Wildlife News: A Grey Seal was off Groyne 6 with a Common Seal off the seawall. The winter sunshine had brought out at least three queen Buff-tailed Bumblebee.

Friday 23rd January

The resident Slavonian Grebe remained off Cockwood but no other news was received.

Wednesday 21st January

The resident Slavonian Grebe remained off Cockwood but no other news was received.

Monday 19th January

The Bonaparte's Gull was offshore to the south of Langstone Rock mid afternoon and was later also seen off Exmouth. 

Wildlife News: A Harbour Porpoise and a Grey Seal were offshore.

Sunday 18th January

The Bonaparte's Gull was in the estuary mouth off Warren Point early afternoon. Elsewhere the Long-tailed Duck and Black-necked Grebe remain offshore.