13th December
Low cloud throughout the morning with some visibility possible in the afternoon.
Three Woodpigeon were in Millcombe and a Water Rail was seen below Brambles Villa. A Fieldfare was in Barton Field and a Merlin was seen in a few locations south of Quarter Wall.
The main interest was down by the coast with 15 Oystercatchers along the East Side, three Purple Sandpipers in Devil’s Kitchen and a Black Redstart on scree below South Lighthouse. The Great Northern Diver is still in the Landing Bay for its 7th day.
14th December
More low cloud in the morning and again clearing up around 10am.
Down at Pondsbury, 17 Great Black-backed Gulls were having a wash with five Teal hiding at the pond's edge. A Kestrel hunting below Tibbets flushed three Skylarks. A Mistle Thrush was seen in St Helen's Copse.
Fulmar numbers are steadily growing with 38 seen at Jenny’s Cove and singles seen along the east coast and over the Landing Bay. Three Great Northern Divers were also recorded.
15th December
A clear day with little wind.
A few new birds were around today, keeping things interesting. A Short-eared Owl was seen in the morning on the steep West Side near Monatagu Steps. It was not seen again despite searching at dusk around Ackland's Moor. Other birds of prey included two Kestrel and a Merlin. The Mistle Thrush seen yesterday was in Millcombe Valley, as were three Fieldfare. Two Pied Wagtails were noted and four Woodcock were also recorded.
Out to sea a 2cy Yellow-Legged Gull was close in off the East Side, and a Sooty Shearwater was reported off South West Point. Two Great Northern Divers were seen together in the Landing Bay.
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| Great Northern Divers were a feature of the week, this one in the Landing Bay on 15th © Stuart Cossey |
16th December
Another clear and mild day with a slight wind from the east.
There was an obvious increase in migrants today. Millcombe was busy with 43 Redwing roosting in the trees before heading out to Barton Field. They were joined at one point by six Fieldfare. The Mistle Thrush was seen again, this time up at Stoneycroft. A Chiffchaff was seen feeding behind the Casbah.
An increase in Meadow Pipits was noted with 11 birds present, and a large flock of 280 Starlings were counted in Upper Lighthouse Field, with small groups flying over from the north throughout the morning; the final count was 377. Also of note were three Linnets flying south over Threequarter Wall and a flock of 12 Turnstones in Devil’s Kitchen.
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| Eleven of the 12 Turnstones passing through Devil's Kitchen, 16 Dec © Martin Thorne |
17th December
Dry and overcast with moderate winds from the east.
A quiet day with few new migrants. Five Woodpigeons were in Millcombe Valley and one of the Great Northern Divers was still in the Landing Bay despite the easterly winds. A Fieldfare and 10 Redwings were in the scrub at the bottom of Barton Field.
18th December
Some winter sunshine but cold with strong winds from the east.
A female-type Wigeon was seen on Quarter Wall Pond and a Jack Snipe was flushed from nearby. Two Skylark were in Brick Field and a Fieldfare and four Redwings remained near Barton Field. Three Goldcrests were recorded along the East Side and in Millcombe.
A pod of around 30 Common Dolphins was seen off the West Side in the morning with 15 diving Gannets.
19th December
Low cloud for the majority of the day with winds still blowing from the east.
It was fairly quiet in Millcombe with the five Woodpigeon remaining in the valley and nine Redwing. A small flock of 13 Golden Plover were hunkered down in Tent Field before flying off north calling. During a guided walk in the late morning, a Linnet, a Skylark and a Pied Wagtail were in Brick and Tillage Fields.
Out to sea there were six Common Gulls, four Great Northern Divers, 80 Guillemots, 250 Herring Gulls, 90 Great Black-backed Gulls and 35 Gannets.
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| Part of the Golden Plover Flock in Tent Field on 19th © Stuart Cossey |
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