(With apologies for the recent delay due to now-resolved tech issues): working backwards, yesterday (5th) saw a new Red-necked Grebe in the bay corner (MJP) and then along the town seafront, a Great Northern Diver off the Brigg, and the long-staying female Snow Buntings on Carr Naze and the female-type Black Redstart still in the bay corner. A first-year Iceland Gull drifted over Carr Naze on 4th (GS, AB), with at least one Red-necked Grebe also in the bay / Brigg area (JH, MJP et al.).
Red-necked Grebe (Mark Pearson)
On 3rd, a Black-necked Grebe toured the bay before settling for a while off Martin’s Ravine (JH et al.) with a Velvet Scoter north and a Great Northern Diver in the bay, while a Sooty Shearwater and three Whooper Swans went north on 2nd. December ended with a female Long-tailed Duck and a Great Northern Diver in the bay and Mealy-type Redpoll on Carr Naze on 29th (MJP, JS et al.).
Snow Bunting (Pete Short)
Additional records from sea-watches have included odd Bonxies, Red-breasted Mergansers and Goosanders, while up to 50 Purple Sandpipers, 18 Knot and 21 Turnstones are among waders in the bay corner and Brigg area, while up to 12 Rock Pipits (a good wintering population) are along the shoreline here. Snipe are present in good numbers, with eight north over Carr Naze yesterday, up to 12 at East Lea, ten at the Tip and six at the Dams, while odd Woodcocks have been seen over the town at dusk.