Goring

Conditions were offputting again today but I managed more of a purposeful visit. A flock of 10 Pintail was the highlight at sea, where other highlights included 15 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, a Fulmar, a Common Scoter, eight Gannets, 18 Red-throated Divers, 21 Red-breasted Mergansers, five Kittiwakes and a Great Crested Grebe. At high tide, a surprising number of Sanderlings sought respite in the roost field, 210 birds; with them were 387 Dunlin, 16 Grey Plovers, 19 Turnstones and 16 Ringed Plovers. An adult Dark-bellied Brent Goose was feeding in the roost field and four Mediterranean Gulls were counted. The wintering pair of Stonechats were out and about while the Treecreeper was still in the Plantation.