Migration gets going..

Despite a grey overcast sky and a decidely cool ENE breeze, it was clear that wintering waders and wildfowl had, had enough of winter and were determined to power north to their breeding grounds.

A total of 220 Dunlin headed north in small flocks and were joined by 7 Avocet, a Knot, a Curlew and 12 Oystercatcher. Two Northern Shoveler landed on the sea and lines of 110 Red-throated Divers and 2 Black-throated Divers, 38 Common Scoter, 390 Brent Geese and plenty of Gannets all headed north.

The stars of the show were 7 Firecrests (3 of which were in our front garden) on the beach for the morning calling and feeding in the Holm Oaks. 60 Chaffinch flew north- a modest number compared to the several hundred that had passed over daily during the past week. Three new patch birds today brough the patch list up to 80 for the year.