Friday 30 March 2018

Goring

It was back to George V Avenue for a morning seawatch, for a bit longer this time and in more promising conditions with a southeasterly breeze. Incredibly, a pair of Red-necked Grebes was on the sea before drifting east, only to be replaced by a pair of Black-necked Grebes then in turn a singleton BNG! A Great Northern Diver crashed onto the sea and dived but couldn't be picked up again. Presumably it couldn't find much and decided to fly on while I was scanning widely for it to emerge! Distantly towards the turbines, an immature Iceland Gull was feeding and was presumably the 2CY that has been visiting the Gap recently. A group of six Eiders went east, only to be followed by another group of seven which pitched down offshore for a while. Four Common Terns, possibly my first March record, flew by, along with 25 Sandwich Terns. A 4CY Yellow-legged Gull flew in off the sea and over town. Common Scoters totalled 157 and two Shovelers went west but only one flock of Dark-bellied Brent Geese (18) went through. Thanks to a curious dog-walker, we were put onto a male Wheatear which had arrived on the beach. 15 Black-headed Gulls were in migration flight eastward. 30 Great Crested Grebes and 16 Red-breasted Mergansers were also noted, along with 24 Red-throated Divers, 37 Gannets and two Ringed Plovers; Grey Plover calls were heard.

Red-necked Grebes

Black-necked Grebes

4CY Yellow-legged Gull