A murky morning created an atmospheric start around the south of the harbour, making for calm, yet challenging field conditions. Jerry’s Point featured the bird of the day… a male Long-tailed Duck, as well as a strong supporting cast of 2 Scaup, 1 female type Common Scoter, 6 Great Northern Diver (including 1 in summer plumage), 7 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Goldeneye, 43 Great Crested Grebe, 30 Red-breasted Merganser, 30 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 31 Oystercatcher, 23 Turnstone, 19 Dunlin and 1 Great White Egret off Redlake. Brand’s Bay hosted a further 365 Wigeon, 69 Pintail, 32 Teal, 18 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 280 Black-tailed Godwit, 140 Dunlin, 2 Greenshank, 2 Grey Plover, 21 Lapwing, 19 Curlew and Redshank.

Elsewhere, a Stoborough garden enjoyed a visiting Firecrest and Holes Bay racked up peak counts of 1244 Wigeon, 640 Black-tailed Godwit and 121 Avocet, as well as singles of Grey Plover and Kingfisher.

Wigeon – Brand’s Bay – Gary Hayman

Pintail – Brand’s Bay – Gary Hayman