4th January 2015

A light west-north-westerly wind, sunny conditions and cold temperatures (4 degrees C) after an overnight frost. Seawatching was relatively quiet, with 25 Red-throated Divers heading south, 263 Fulmars north, eight Common Scoter south and three Kittiwakes north. There were also 148 Shag noted leaving the roost, 16 Purple Sandpipers and a Grey Plover in residence.

Thornwick Pool hosted five Teal, a Jack Snipe, seven Snipe and a Water Rail, whilst there were eight Great Crested Grebes off Sewerby and four Sanderling on the beach there. Sightings from the South Landing/Oceanview area included a Woodcock, single Goldcrest, Treecreeper and Fieldfare, 14 Long-tailed Tits and two Coal Tits. A farmland bird survey across the Headland located 154 Skylarks, 20 Meadow Pipits, 40 Tree Sparrows, 28 Reed Buntings and 20 Yellowhammers.

Grey Heron, Thornwick Pool, by Jo Collins
Grey Heron, Thornwick Pool, by Jo Collins