Seawatching was fairly productive this morning with a total of c.292 Barnacle Geese seen, way beyond the previous day record of 86 (also in May). Flocks of 60 (0925 hrs.) and c.75 (0952 hrs.) flew South and flocks of c.45 and c.112 flew due North (i.e. not curving in to follow the coast) at 1059 hrs, these two flocks joining when further North. In addition a dark morph Arctic Skua flew South and a Bonxie was seen briefly; also 1 Manx Shearwater, 8 Sandwich Terns & a Whimbrel flew North.
Thornwick produced the goods this afternoon with 2 Avocets, a Swift and a pair of Gadwalls at the pool and a female Scaup with 1 female & 3 male Tufted Ducks on the fishing pond. The Gadwalls commuted between the pool & North Marsh, but the other birds didn’t linger too long.
2 Whimbrels on Micklemires fields.
In addition the Thornwick area also produced a brief Swift and single Sedge Warbler, Redstart and Whgite Wagtail. Elsewhere there were 3 Wheatear, 3 Brambling, a male Pied Flycatcher and 2 Grey Partridge on the Outer Head.