28th November 2016

A busy day today in the bay and Brigg area, with a fine selection of early winter quality on offer at various points through the day. The morning sea-watch produced the first Grey Phalarope of the year heading south, a Great Northern Diver north (perhaps the same as one seen doing likewise at the Gap) and six Scaup south, and a drake Long-tailed Duck in the bay (JS, CW). High tide in the northern bay this afternoon meanwhile produced a Slavonian Grebe briefly in the bay corner and then in the outer bay, a Red-necked Grebe off the southern side of the Brigg, 11 Great Crested Grebes, and small numbers of ducks (including Goldeneyes, Wigeon, Common Scoter, Eider and a Red-breasted Merganser) (MJP et al.). Two Snow Buntings are still on Carr Naze, where they have been for some days, and a few Snipe and Redshank are at the Dams and East Lea.

Yesterday (27th) saw two Sooty and a single Manx Shearwater heading north off the Brigg, a Long-tailed Duck south and single Red-necked Grebe and Great Northern Diver present (CW, JS, JH), while 26th was notable for a high count of 17 Rock Pipits in the Brigg/Carr Naze/Rocket Pole Field area (as well as 12 Snipe in the latter), while a single Woodcock, two Stonechats and 19 Sanderlings were at Hunmanby Gap. Three Snow Buntings flew south over the town on 25th, when 47 Red-throated Divers and 16 Great Crested Grebes were in the bay, and 114 Eiders, 35 Red-throated Divers and two Dark-bellied Brent Geese were the best of the sea movements.