The harbour was again at its finest today but with most people back at work, could perhaps only be admired from numerous office windows. Saying that, we managed to log 2 Great Northern Diver from our office window this afternoon along with a Peregrine Falcon. Four of yesterday five Greater Scaup were still in Holes Bay SE along with 2 Goldeneye, 3 Tufted Duck and 5 Great Crested Grebe. From Jerry’s Point the 2 Long-tailed Duck were still present along with 4 Slavonian Grebe (2 of which were courting with seaweed), 4 Black-necked Grebe, 3 Great Northern Diver, 6 Goldeneye and 34 Sanderling. The Peregrine was on the tall section of the Asda building first thing and the Merlin was at Middlebere today. The Great Grey Shrike was also still at Morden Bog.

Finally, we received some more good news today regarding Osprey chick 019 which you may remember was located in The Gambia on Christmas Eve. She was one of our translocated chicks from 2019 and today we received footage from Chris Woods who actually managed to film her in the same place today which suggests she may have found a decent over-wintering site. This is fantastic news because it’s important for a young Osprey to find a reliable and productive over-wintering site in their first year in Africa, and although she may not stay here over the coming year, and may move further south, she’s obviously finding enough food, which is a positive start for her first winter in West Africa.

Osprey Chick 019 – Gunjur Quarry, Gambia – Chris Wood

Slavonian Grebes – Jerry’s Point – Ian Ballam