A generally dull and nondescript midwinter day produced a nice surprise in the shape of a Water Pipit at East Lea this morning (MJP) – a less than annual species which is almost unheard of here in winter. Two flocks totalling c500 Pink-footed Geese headed north over the town this afternoon, while East Lea and the Dams are holding 204 Wigeon, 66 Teal, a few Snipe, two Shoveler, four Fieldfare and the odd Redshank and Dunlin.
Water Pipit (Mark Pearson)
Two Red-necked Grebes, 35 Red-throated Divers and 10 Great Crested Grebes were off the seafront yesterday (MJP), where a Great Northern Diver is also in temporary residence; a Black-throated Diver headed north yesterday (JS, BP). Late news for the 14th consisted of nine White-fronted Geese north at the Gap after dusk (SB).