A total of 71 species was well below the ten-year average for the month of 77 species. Also, the year total of 89 species was below the ten-year average of 92.6 species. The Red-necked Grebe was seen on and off up to 17th, a Slavonian Grebe was reported on 15th, a Corn Bunting and a Merlin were seen on 22nd, a high count of ten Common Buzzards, including a flock of seven circling together, on 24th and the Purple Sandpiper was present throughout.

A total of 89 species so far this year

100 species by this time last year

29th

Cloudy, light southerly wind. There were two Red-throated Divers, seven Great Crested Grebes and five Red-breasted Mergansers offshore. One Greylag Goose flew west and there were six Little Egrets on the tidal ponds.

28th

One Shelduck flew west and there were five Red-breasted Mergansers offshore. There were four Little Egrets and a Grey Heron and the Grey Plover was again on the beach.

27th

Sunny, cool, light NE wind. One Red-throated Diver flew east, there were seven Great Crested Grebes offshore, two redhead Red-breasted Mergansers landed on the sea by the tidal ponds and there were two Shelducks on the Marsh Pool. Other birds noted included a Jay along the east bank and a Chaffinch in song along the upper brook.

24th

Sunny, cold, calm. There were three Red-throated Divers, a Great Northern Diver, 10 Great Crested Grebes and five Red-breasted Mergansers offshore and c200 Brent Geese along the shoreline. Waders included 45 Oystercatchers, eight Ringed Plovers and the Purple Sandpiper on the beach. Seven Buzzards circled over Studd Hill together at 11 am, with another three at 11.45 am. Other birds noted included the pair of Stonechats in the scrub, a Chiffchaff along the east bank with snatches of song heard and a Jay in the Scout Wood.

23rd

An adult Gannet flew east, there were five Red-breasted Mergansers offshore and a Chiffchaff, down the brook, was the first recorded this month.

22nd

Cloudy, drizzle then rain, moderate southerly wind. A Corn Bunting, bush-hopping through the grassland, waas our first of the year, as was a Merlin which came in off the sea and headed SE over the caravan park. Two adult Gannets flew east and other birds noted included an adult Mediterranean Gull on the beach and 12 Linnets over the grassland.

19th

Cloudy, light SW wind. There were six Great Crested Grebes and a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers offshore. Waders included the Purple Sandpiper on the groynes and 40 Redshanks on the Marsh Pool.

17th

Cloudy, light southerly wind. The Red-necked Grebe, c10 Great Crested Grebes, three Red-throated Divers and six Red-breasted Mergansers wee offshore. A Grey Heron flew west over the sea, our first of the month, and six adult Mediterranean Gulls were three on the beach and three flying west. The Purple Sandpiper was present in the bay.

15th

Cloudy, mild with a light southerly wind. The Red-necked Grebe, c10 Great Crested Grebes and six Red-breasted Mergansers were offshore and a Slavonian Grebe was reported by Alan Wells. Waders included the Grey Plover on the beach and there was also an adult Mediterranean Gull on the beach. Other birds noted included the male Stonechat, and a Jay in the Scout Wood.

14th

Cloudy, rain showers, light southerly wind. The Red-necked Grebe was offshore, eight days after it had last been seen here. One Red-throated Diver and a Shelduck flew west, there were six Great Crested Grebes and four Red-breasted Mergansers offshore, and a Little Grebe and an adult Mediterranean Gull were on the beach. Other birds noted included the male Stonechat and 12 Linnets.

12th

Sunny, light westerly wind. Two Mute Swans came in off the sea, returning and flying off west, and there were six Red-breasted Merganser offshore. Other birds noted included an adult Mediterranean Gull flying west, a Skylark and eight Goldfinches.

10th

Sunny and calm, then cloudy with a light southerly wind. A flock of 40 Red-throated Divers flew west, with many more on the sea. Two Shelduck flew east, six Common Scoters flew west and one drake Red-breasted Merganser was offshore. Waders included 50 Oystercatchers on the beach at high tide and the Purple Sandpiper on the concrete platform. Other birds noted included an adult Mediterranean Gull west, the pair of Stonechats, a Jay and two Rooks flying west.

7th

There was no sign of the Red-necked Grebe but a drake Gadwall was on the sea drifting west late morning.

6th

Cloudy, fresh SW wind. The Red-necked Grebe was present for its seventh day. A Greylag Goose flew NW over the area, a Teal flew west and there were four Red-breasted Mergansers offshore. Waders included six Golden Plovers west over the sea and the Purple Sandpiper and 77 Sanderlings in the bay at the eastern end of the beach. Other birds noted included a Mediterranean Gull on the football pitch and a Grey Wagtail by the sluice.

5th

There were three Rooks on our beach. Our first of the year.

3rd

Sunny with a light SW wind. The Red-necked Grebe continued its stay, there were 144 Brent Geese on the beach, four Shelducks flew east, and three flew west and two drake Red-breasted Mergansers. Waders included the Purple Sandpiper and 73 Sanderlings in the bay at the eastern end of the beach. A Jay was present in the Elm Wood and a Chaffinch sang at Lang Court.

2nd

The Red-necked Grebe was still present.

1st

Sunny, light NW wind. The Red-necked Grebe was present for its second day. There were 112 Brent Geese on the beach, three Shelducks flew west but only one drake Red-breasted Merganser was seen offshore. Waders included the Grey Plover and Purple Sandpiper on the beach and three Knot flying west close inshore. Other birds of note included our first Reed Bunting of the year, a male, a Skylark and a Grey Wagtail.