Goring Gap

There was a marked increase in the number of Red-breasted Mergansers and Great Crested Grebes on the sea since my last visit, with 34 and 10 respectively. 40 auks were mostly very distant but those passing within ID range were Razorbills, while a Guillemot was on the sea close in. A Common Scoter and two Dark-bellied Brent Geese flew past, while 12 Red-throated Divers, 18 Kittiwakes and 43 Gannets were noted. The usual waders were on the beach, along with my first Redshank for the site since the summer, and four adult Mediterranean Gulls and five Common Gulls were around. What I presume to be the same Reed Bunting as on 18th was calling from the fenced rough at dawn. 30 Skylarks were in the roost field, a Song Thrush (still thin on the ground) was in The Plantation, three Meadow Pipits were on the stubble strip and the female Stonechat was still by the blocked road. Goldcrests had decreased to just three. Two Linnets and five Goldfinches moved east and 12 Pied Wagtails were around. I missed out on the Great Northern Diver reported by an unknown and unseen birder.