Thursday 2 January 2020

Goring Gap and Patching

A few more birds offshore at Goring Gap this morning, at last! A drake Shoveler flew west with two Shelducks, and three Kittiwakes and a flock of five Wigeon also flew in that direction. Four Guillemots, eight Razorbills (and a further 43 auks), a Lesser Black-backed Gull, 23 Red-throated Divers, five Red-breasted Mergansers, three Great Crested Grebes and 54 Gannets were also out at sea. In the roost field (mid-morning, so not prime time) were three adult Mediterranean Gulls and 350 Common Gulls, and the Red-legged Partridge. The tide state wasn't ideal for counting waders but I logged a Redshank, five Grey Plovers, three Ringed Plovers, 23 Sanderlings, 55 Dunlin, two Oystercatchers and nine Turnstones.

A quick visit to Patching saw excellent views of the 'Northern Treecreeper' with Olly Frampton, John Lees and Liz Costa.


'Northern Treecreeper' at Patching