2008 Records

Compiled mainly from the Draycote recorders and Pager services.  All records subject to acceptance. Please email your sightings. Emails for 2008 = 15

May

May 8th

24 Black Tern, 3 Common Tern, Common Sandpiper and 4 Buzzard. (B Hazell)

May 7th

5+ Common Sandpiper, 6 Common Tern, Blackcap (8m 3f), 5 Whitethroat , male Bullfinch and 2 Buzzard. (K  Groocock) 

May 6th

14 Black Tern, 3 Common Tern, 6 Shelduck, 2 Common Sandpiper and 3 Buzzard. (B Hazell M Doughty)

May 5th

Female Common Scoter early morning, 2 Common Sandpiper Farborough Bank to Toft and 3 Yellow Wagtail. (D Cox) Black Tern moving through with max 26 (J Richardson) 8 Common Tern ,8 Arctic Tern and an Oystercatcher flying around most of the morning. (J Judge J Richardson)

May 4th

5 Common Tern, 2 Common Sandpiper and 300+ Swift. (R Mays D Cox)

May 3rd

4 Common Tern, 4 Common Sandpiper between Farborough Bank and Toft Bay with Reed Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat below Farborough Bank. (J Richardson)

May 2nd

Wheatear. (F Farringdon) 5 Common Tern. (R Mays D Cox)

May 1st

2 Black Tern, 2 Arctic Tern and 7 Common Tern. c3000 Swift with Hobby mixed in, 2 Hobby later over the country park. 2 Yellow Wagtail and 2 Dunlin below Farborough Bank. (R Mays)

April

April 29th

2 Black Tern, 6 Arctic Tern and 8 Common Tern in the center mid morning. Hobby over Draycote Bank with c1000 Swift, 500 Swallow and 200 House Martin. First Ruff of the year in Grays Barn with Dunlin and first Lesser Whitethroat. (R Mays)

April 28th

8 Yellow Wagtail on Farborough Bank, 2 Reed Warbler in hedge below and 2 Common Sandpiper Dunn's Bay. (M Philips) Common Sandpiper Draycote Bank. (A Tibbs)

April 27th

A Wood Warbler was singing in the poplars in Toft Bay from 9.10am. (J Richardson D and B Hunt) Little Tern reported. (RBA) Along Farborough Bank were Sanderling, Dunlin and Common Sandpiper with 5 Little Gull (2 adult) 4 Common Tern and an Arctic Tern. (J Richardson) 2 Whimbrel landed briefly near The Inlet and then headed off east, Common Sandpiper by The Overflow and female Wheatear along Farborough Bank. (D and B Hunt) A Male Brambling on the feeding station at the Hide, 4 Yellow Wagtail off Farborough Bank with a Sedge Warbler singing from the hedge below. (J Richardson D and B Hunt) 2 Little Ringed Plover. (A Archer)

April 26th

A Honey Buzzard was reported heading West at 8.15am and a Black-necked Grebe reported in Toft at 4.20pm. (RBA) 3 Black Tern, 4 Arctic Tern, Common Tern, Common Sandpiper Draycote's first Black-tailed Godwit and Hobby of the year. (R Mays D Cox) Along Farborough Bank in the morning male White Wagtail, female Wheatear, 4 Yellow Wagtail and c120 Swift. (J Richardson)

April 25th

1st summer Little Gull, Arctic Tern, 3 Common Tern, 7 Yellow Wagtail and 9 Swift. (R Mays D Cox B Hazell)

April 24th

Only news today 10+ Arctic Tern. (RBA)

April 23rd

Again no sign of the Franklin's Gull in the roost. Excellent passage of Arctic Tern with a total of 277 birds with 224 in an hour after the rain first thing this morning (R Mays) 9 Little Gull (8 adult) a second summer and adult Med Gull, 4 Whimbrel early morning with one seen late evening. A Black Tern was present early morning only, 4 Common Tern and 2 Wheatear. (R Mays)

April 22nd

No sign of the Franklin's Gull. 3 adult and 2 1st summer Little Gull's, 3 Common Tern and a Wheatear early this morning (J Judge B Hazell) Later , 9 Little Gull (8 adult) 1st summer Med Gull (S Valentine) 14 Arctic Tern and 3 Whimbrel (B Duckhouse)

April 21st

The Franklin's Gull was in the roost at 6.40pm from the Valve Tower then better views were obtained from Hensborough Bank (some record shots below) also in the roost were adult Little Gull (3 adult and a first summer bird earlier) and adult Med Gull. (J Judge R Mays) A male Wheatear along Farborough Bank (D Mcwilliams) 3 Whimbrel over, 2 Common Tern, 16 Yellow Wagtail and 2 Common Sand. (R Mays)

Franklin's Gull © John Judge

April 20th

The Franklin's Gull left the roost at 6.50am (R. Mays) and was again viewable from near the Valve Tower from 7.10-8.10pm with 4 Little Gull 3ad and a 1st winter, adult Med Gull and 7 Common Tern (RBA) Turnstone (J P & D Hall) Bar-tailed Godwit over (C Potter) 2 Brambling still present near The Inlet 8 Yellow Wagtail and c200 Swallow below Rainbow Corner which were attacked by a Merlin, warbler numbers Willow 20+ Blackcap 16 and 4 Chiffchaff and a Whitethroat (R Mays) Arctic Tern late afternoon (T Marlow)

April 19th

The Franklin's Gull was seen in the roost from 6.30am (L Evans) along with the adult Med Gull and a Common Tern. 4 male Brambling were near The Inlet along with 15 Willow Warbler. (K Groocock) Sand Martin peaked at 1500 with 200 Swallow with Draycote's first Swift of the year (R Mays) with 3 seen during the roost. (L Evans) Common Sandpiper and 8 Yellow Wagtail also noted. (R Mays)

April 18th

The Franklin's Gull left the roost at 6.30 flying off east and then again in the roost viewable from just past the Valve Tower from c7.20 with the adult Med Gull.2 Black-necked Grebe in Toft bay and an Osprey at 1.00. 2 Little Gull, 40 Yellow Wagtail in Toft and a Common Sandpiper with Sand Martin peaking at c1000 by midday. Draycote's first Sedge Warbler and Whitethroat of the year. (R Mays)

Black-necked Grebe © Steve Seal

April 17th

The Franklin's Gull again in the roost off the Valve Tower at c7.20pm and adult Med Gull. (P Hyde S Whitehouse)

April 16th

A second summer Franklin's Gull that was present at Brandon Marsh earlier in the afternoon roosted at c7.40pm, also adult Med Gull. (R Harbird J Judge R Mays D Cox) A male Redstart near Rainbow Corner late afternoon. (J Wesson)

April 14th

2 Common Tern, 10 Yellow Wagtail on Farborough Bank. (J. Judge R. Mays B. Duckhouse) Hybrid duck off Draycote Bank 9M. Doughty)

April 13th

Again about 1000 Sand Martin first thing this morning with 3 House Martin and 2 Swallow. Warbler numbers up with 4 Willow, 11 Chiffchaff and 6 Blackcap. (J D & P Hall) A Black Redstart was seen near the Alpaca field in Toft and a presumed hybrid Ring-necked X Tufted Duck. (D. Dixon J. Packer) 7 Yellow Wagtail along Farborough Bank with at lest 8 Buzzard over and 2 Sanderling made a brief tour of Toft Bay. (J. Judge R. Mays. J D & P Hall)

April 12th

Early morning there were 1000+ Sand Martin and 4 Swallow, Common Sandpiper Farborough Bank. (K. Groocock) 4 Yellow Wagtail Farborough Bank, 2 Dunlin Draycote Bank, female Pintail and Ringed Plover over calling. In the roost adult Med Gull and 2 Common Tern on buoy X with a Whimbrel over. (R. Mays)

April 11th

4 Yellow Wagtail, 300+ Sand Martin and 10 Swallow. (R. Mays D. Cox)

April 10th

Wheatear and White Wagtail along Farborough Bank with 2 Yellow Wagtail on Draycote Bank, 8 Buzzard and 2 Sparrowhawk. (R. Mays)

April 5th

An Osprey  today at c11.30 seen by the fishermen and phoned in to me by Margaret at the Fishing Lodge (Glad someone still has my number!) Adult summer Little Gull off the in Biggin Bay with some good numbers of gull's staying after the roost with 150 Common Gull, 60 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 20 Great Black-backed Gull. Draycote's first Common Tern and Yellow Wagtail of the year today. Also adult summer Med Gull, Common Sandpiper,100 Sand Martin, 28 Stock Dove and 7 Shoveler. (R. Mays)

April 1st

50+ Sand Martin, 3 Blackcap and 5 Chiffchaff. (K Groocock) Draycote's first Willow Warbler of the year and surprisingly the first Willow Tit in Toft, 1st summer Little Gull off Valve Tower in evening. (R Mays)

March

Mar 31st

Still 2 Wheatear present along Farborough Bank, Sand Martin 50+ with 2 Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff, White Wagtail. Little Ringed Plover and 2 Shelduck in Toft with Draycote's first Oystercatcher of the year. (R Mays)

Mar 30th

4 Wheatear (R Mays D Cox K Groocock) 100+ Sand Martin 20+ Meadow Pipit, still a few Goldeneye about and 16 Redwing. (K Groocock) Little Gull and White Wagtail reported.

Mar 29th

Female Marsh Harrier reported again over the Country Park (RBA) 38 Sand Martin, 6 Lesser Redpoll whilst trying to do the roost but strong winds caused the viewing to be atrocious so nothing seen. (J Judge R Mays)

Lesser Redpoll © Bob Hazell

Mar28th

2 Rock Pipit's near Farborough Spit this afternoon one of the Scandinavian race "littoralis" and an adult Whooper Swan flew low north. (R Mays D Cox)

Mar 27th

Female Marsh Harrier over the visitor center at 2pm and White Wagtail near the Valve Tower. (D Hunt) 3 Sand Martin, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Skylark and 2 Buzzard. (K Groocock)

Mar 26th

With all the movement of Common Scoter across the country it was no surprise to find a pair at Draycote today (M Doughty R Mays) Draycote's first Swallow of the year also Little Ringed Plover, 20 Sand Martin with Pied Wagtails now up to c90 and White Wagtail. (R Mays) In the roost were 3rd winter Iceland Gull (R. Mays) and second summer Med Gull (M Doughty)

Mar 25th

Male Wheatear in field below Farborough Bank, still some good numbers of duck with Wigeon 111, Teal 10 and 18 Goldeneye. An increase in Pied Wagtail with c50 and 20 Sand Martin in Biggin Bay. (R Mays S Seal)

Mar 24th

Adult Kittiwake, 2 first winter Little Gull's, 2 adult summer Med Gull's, Rock Pipit and the first Common Sandpiper of the year. (R Mays D Thomas)

Mar 21st

The adult Kumlien's Gull again in the roost late this evening along with 3rd winter Iceland Gull and juv Glaucous Gull, Draycote's first Little-ringed Plover of the year. (R. Mays)

Mar 19th

All the hard work and cold nights of doing the roost paid off for Richard when he found this years second and Draycote's third record of Kumlien's Gull, this time an adult bird close in with all the salient features noted, also in the roost were 3rd winter Iceland Gull and 4 adult summer Med Gull's.

Mar 18th

Draycote's first House Martin of the year, juv Glaucous Gull and 3w Iceland Gull in the roost. (R. Mays)

Mar 15th

An Avocet flew in and settled briefly before flying off down Grandborough Valley, a dark-bellied Brent Goose circled the reservoir and a Wheatear at the Valve Tower. (R. Mays) Rock Pipit on Toft Bank and 37 Sand Martin. (P. Hyde) In the roost were juv Glaucous, 3rd winter Iceland and ad summer Med Gull. (J. Judge R. Mays P. Hyde)

Mar 14th

Barn Owl at the sewage farm early morning and 2 Curlew over. (R. Mays) Female Scaup in Toft. (B. Hazell) In the roost were juv Glaucous Gull, 3rd winter Iceland Gull and a presumed second year Glaucous x Herring Gull. (J. Judge R. Mays)

Mar 11th

The first White Wagtail of the year between Farborough Bank and Toft, wader movement Redshank, 4 Dunlin and a Curlew and at least 8 Sand Martin over the res. In the roost were the pale juv Glaucous, 3rd winter Iceland and an adult Kittiwake. (R. Mays)

Mar 9th

Glaucous Gull in the roost 4:55-5:05 only before flying out down the Grandborough Valley and Draycote's first Sand Martin through at 4:20.(L. Johnson)

Mar 8th

In the roost this evening were 3rd winter Iceland Gull, juv Glaucous Gull and adult Med Gull. (J. Judge R. Mays)

Mar 7th

Only news were 4 Raven over the Country Park. (R. Mays D. Cox)

Mar 5th

Juv Glaucous Gull in the roost plus 3rd winter Iceland, 3rd winter Yellow-legged and second winter Med. (J. Judge, R. Mays B. Duckhouse) Dunlin over Rainbow Corner. (B. Minshull) The long staying Lesser Scaup was seen at Brandon Marsh. (J. Wesson)

Mar 4th

The Lesser Scaup made a rare flight out of Toft Bay to Rainbow Corner before returning to Toft also Rock Pipit on Draycote Bank. In the roost were 3 Glaucous Gull's 2 juv and second winter, juv Iceland Gull, 3rd winter Caspian Gull, ad and near adult Yellow-legged Gull and adult Little Gull. (R. Mays)

Mar 3rd

Lesser Scaup still in Toft Bay this morning near Gray's Barn.

Mar 2nd

The Lesser Scaup still in Toft Bay. (J, D and P. Hall)

Mar 1st

Lesser Scaup still in Toft Bay. (A.Moreton) In the roost were 2 Glaucous Gull's juv and second winter and 3 Med Gull's 2 adults and a first winter. (J. Judge, T. Elms, J, D and P. Hall, R. Mays)

Feb 29th

Lesser Scaup still in Toft Bay. In the roost juv Glaucous Gull. (R. Mays)

Feb 28th

The Lesser Scaup still present in Toft Bay. (R. Mays)

Feb 27th

Lesser Scaup still in Toft Bay. In the roost were juv Iceland Gull and 2 juv Glaucous Gull's. (R. Mays)

Feb 26th

The Lesser Scaup was in Gray's Barn today. A possible 1st winter American Herring Gull was in the roost with 2 Glaucous Gull's juv and second winter and 2 adult Med Gull's. (R. Mays)

Feb 25th

Lesser Scaup still in Toft Bay and 9 Bewick's Swans till 1.45pm and then flew east.

Feb 24th

The Lesser Scaup still in Toft Bay. In the roost were 2 Glaucous Gull's juv and second winter and 7 Med Gull's 4 adult summer 1 near adult summer and 2 second winters. (J. Judge R. Mays)

Feb 23rd

2 juv Glaucous Gull's in the roost. (J. Jennings)

Feb 21st

Lesser Scaup still in Toft bay and ad Bewick's Swan in Rainbow Corner. In the roost were 2 juv Glaucous Gull's, juv Iceland Gull, 3 ad and 1st winter Yellow-legged Gull and 4 Med Gulls ad summer, ad partial summer, second winter and a 1st winter. (R. Mays)

Feb 20th

The Lesser Scaup was off Farborough Bank in the morning and back in Toft Bay in the afternoon, Woodcock over the Country Park at dusk. The pale juv Glaucous Gull in the roost and ad winter Med Gull. (R. Mays)

Feb 19th

Lesser Scaup still in Toft and 3 Med Gull's in the roost 2 ad summer birds and a 1st winter. (R. Mays)

Feb 18th

Only news today is the Lesser Scaup still in Toft.

Feb 17th

The Lesser Scaup was in Toft Bay late morning, earlier it was seen off Farborough Bank the first time it has strayed outside of Toft Bay since its arrival.

Feb 16th

Lesser Scaup still in Toft Bay showing well. In the roost were 3 Glaucous Gull's 2 juv one a paler bird and a second winter, 3 Med Gull 2 ad summer and a second winter. (D. Hall. J. Judge. R. Mays and S. Valentine.)

Feb 15th

Only news today is the Lesser Scaup still in Toft Bay.

Feb 14th

Lesser Scaup still in Toft Bay and Great Northern Diver still mainly in the center. The Gull roost had juv Glaucous Gull, 2nd winter Caspian Gull, 1st winter Med Gull and 2 ad Yellow-legged Gull. (R. Mays)

Feb 13th

The Lesser Scaup still in Toft Bay and Great Northern Diver still present.

Feb 12th

Lesser Scaup still in Toft Bay and Great Northern Diver still in the center, A Raven around Toft for 1/2 hr between
11.30 and noon. (B. Hazell) In the roost were juv Kumlien's Gull, juv Glaucous Gull and 2 1st winter Med Gull's. (R. Mays)

Feb 11th

The Lesser Scaup showing well in Toft near the hide and Great Northern Diver near Rainbow Corner.

Feb 10th

The Lesser Scaup still in Toft and Great Northern Diver still present. No sign of any "white winged" Gull's in the roost this evening just 2+ Yellow-legged Gull.

Lesser Scaup © Jon Hall

Feb 9th

Lesser Scaup still in Toft Bay. In the roost the juv Kumlien's Gull again, juv Glaucous Gull and 2 ad Yellow-legged Gull's.

Feb 8th

The Lesser Scaup still in Toft. Juv Kumlien's Gull again in the roost plus 2 Glaucous Gull's juv and 2nd winter and an adult and 2nd winter Yellow-legged Gull. The first Ringed Plover of the year flew over. (R. Mays. M. Doughty. T. Marlow and J. Allen)

Feb 7th

The juv Kumlien's Gull again in the roost this evening along with 1st winter Caspian Gull, 2 juv Glaucous Gull, 4 Yellow-legged Gull 3x ad and a 1st summer and 2 ad Med Gull's. A Woodcock flew over the country car park at dusk and a Raven again over Rainbow Corner. (J. Judge. T. Marlow and R. Mays)

Feb 6th

Lesser Scaup still in Toft Bay and Great Northern Diver still present. Another cracking roost this evening with the best bird being a juv Kumlien's Gull (only the second record for Draycote), 3 Caspian Gull's ad and 2x 1st winters, 2 juv Glaucous Gull's 2 Med Gull's ad and 2nd winter and 3 Yellow-legged Gull's 2x 2nd winter and a 1st winter. 2 Raven flew over Barn Bank just prior to dusk and a Snow Bunting flew along Barn Bank to Rainbow Corner at last light. (J. Judge T. Marlow and R. Mays)

Feb 5th

The Lesser Scaup was in the willows at Gray's Barn this morning and the Great Northern Diver was seen circling the reservoir. Also seen were Shelduck, Curlew and 2 Raven. In the roost were juv Glaucous Gull, 3rd winter Caspian Gull 5 Med Gulls, 2 first winter, 2 second winter and an adult and 2 adult Yellow-legged Gull's. (R. Mays)

Feb 3rd

Lesser Scaup still showing well in Toft Bay. (J. D. and P. Hall)

Lesser Scaup © Steve Seal

Feb 2nd

The Lesser Scaup was in the willows at Gray's Barn this morning but no sign all day of the Great Northern Diver. 78 Golden Plover in the field below Farborough Bank. The pre roost had ad Med Gull and ad Kittiwake and all the main roost had to offer were 3 ad Yellow-legged Gull's. (R. Mays J. D and P Hall)

Feb 1st

Lesser Scaup still in Toft Bay and Great Northern Diver off Draycote Bank.

January

Jan 31st

The Lesser Scaup again showing well in Toft Bay in the usual place by the car park to the left of the hide, Great Northern Diver off Rainbow Corner and 2 drake Common Scoter in the center then flew towards Toft. In the roost were the juv Iceland and juv Glaucous Gull. (R. Mays)

Jan 30th

The Lesser Scaup again showing well in Toft Bay.

Jan 29th

No sign of the Lesser Scaup today despite extensive searching, the Great Northern Diver still present near Rainbow Corner. Juv Glaucous and juv Iceland Gull in the roost with 3 ad and a first winter Yellow-legged Gull. (R. Mays)

Jan 28th

Only news today is the Lesser Scaup still in Toft Bay.

Jan 27th

Lesser Scaup under the willows in Grays Barn, Great Northern Diver mainly in the center and drake Smew off Farborough Bank. (S. Seal) In the roost there was a juv Glaucous Gull and at least 2 ad Yellow-legged Gull's but with a distant roost they are getting harder to pick out from the clean headed Herring Gull's now present. Raven behind the Inlet. (J. Judge, J, D ad P. Hall)

                                  Great Northern Diver © Jon Hall                                                                             Goosanders © Jon Hall

Jan 26th

Lesser Scaup still Toft Bay, Great Northern Diver Rainbow Corner and drake Smew still.

Jan 25th

Lesser Scaup still Toft Bay, Great Northern Diver Rainbow Corner and drake Smew still. Two second winter Med Gull's and a first winter Yellow-legged pre roost (R. Mays D. Cox) In the roost juv Iceland Gull and 3 Med Gull's no ages given (RBA)

Jan 24th

Lesser Scaup under the willows in Gray's Barn, Great Northern Diver in Biggin Bay, ad Med Gull and drake Smew off Draycote Bank Peregrine over cafe. In the roost were juv Iceland Gull, 2 ad Caspian and 8 Yellow-legged Gull's (6 ad 2 1st winter) (R. Mays and B. Hazell)

Jan 23rd

Lesser Scaup under the willows in Gray's Barn, Great Northern Diver and drake Smew still off Draycote Bank.

Jan 22nd

The Lesser Scaup still in Toft and drake Smew off Draycote Bank. The Great Northern Diver gave good views to be able to age it as an adult so could be a returning bird. (J. Oates) The gull roost was distant and strung over the center of the reservoir but held juv Glaucous Gull, 5 Med Gull's 2 ad, second winter and 2 first winters and 3 ad Yellow-legged Gull's. (R. Mays)

Jan 20th

Lesser Scaup Toft, Great Northern Diver and drake Smew. Ad Med Gull off Rainbow Corner and a Common Gull with a red bill giving the observers initial panic! (R. Mays and D. Cox)

Jan 19th

All the usual suspects still present Lesser Scaup Toft, Great Northern Diver and drake Smew. Little Egret again in Toft at c12:15.

Jan 18th

Lesser Scaup under the willows in Gray's Barn, Great Northern Diver usually in the center, Little Egret off Lin Croft Point (M. Doughty) and Smew still present off Draycote Bank. Pre roost were ad Caspian Gull, 2 ad Med Gull's and 3 ad Yellow-legged Gull's (R. Mays and D. Cox)

Jan 16th

Lesser Scaup under the willows in Gray's Barn, the Great Northern Diver was spending most of it's time in the middle of the reservoir, drake Smew off the Inlet and a Raven over the visitor center in the morning (B. Hazell). No sign of the Little Egret today. The Gull roost this evening held juv Glaucous Gull, 2 ad Caspian Gull's and Yellow-legged comprised at least 14 ad, 3 second winters and 2 first winters. (R. Mays and T. Marlow)

Jan 15th

Lesser Scaup still in Toft Bay, Great Northern Diver at distance off the Valve Tower and Smew still off Farborough Bank. A Little Egret flew from direction of the valve tower and landed in Biggin Bay approx 4pm. Stayed for 10 minutes and then flew towards Toft.( F Thompson). Fem Pintail, 1st winter Med Gull and Oystercatcher also today. (R. Mays)

Jan 13th

Lesser Scaup still Toft Bay, Great Northern Diver Rainbow Corner and drake Smew off Farborough Bank (G. Rowling)

Jan 12th

Another great day today with many birders on site, the Lesser Scaup was in Grays Barn before moving to its usual spot in Toft, Red-necked Grebe was re-located off the Overflow (S. Seal) before giving itself up for the photographers near the fishing pontoons. A Great Northern Diver was found off the picnic area near the windsurfing car park before becoming very mobile (P&L Price) this is the second bird this winter following a brief sighting on 2nd October, drake Smew by the Valve Tower and a fly through Redshank. The Gull roost did not disappoint with juv Glaucous Gull, ad Iceland, 2 ad Caspian Gulls and 10 ad + 4 1st winter Yellow-legged Gulls (R. Mays)

Red-necked Grebe © Steve Seal

Jan 11th

Lesser Scaup Grays Barn, Red-necked Grebe viewable from the Cafe and drake Smew near the Valve Tower.

Jan 10th

Lesser Scaup and Smew sheltering at Grays Barn, Red-necked Grebe still off visitor Centre and a mobile Slavonian Grebe, a very elusive female Red-breasted Merganser was between the Valve Tower and Biggin Bay (R. Mays)

Jan 9th

Lesser Scaup still in Toft Bay, Red-necked Grebe off Hensborough Bank and drake Smew Farborough Bank  (K Warmington)

Jan 8th

Lesser Scaup still in Toft Bay, drake Smew Farborough Bank, 140+ Wigeon, 8 Meadow Pipit (R Mays)

Jan 7th

Lesser Scaup still in Toft Bay, drake Smew Farborough Bank.

Jan 6th

Lesser Scaup still in Toft Bay, drake Smew Farborough Bank 1st winter Yellow-legged Gull 60+ Siskin 328 Great Crested Grebe.

Jan 5th

Lesser Scaup still in Toft Bay, drake Smew still but mobile, 7 Brambling in hedgerow at dusk bottom of car park.

Jan 4th

The Lesser Scaup still in the usual place in Toft just to the left of the hide viewed from "duck feeding" car park, the Long-tailed Duck still near Lin Croft Point best viewed from Farborough Spit. Drake Smew still off Farborough Bank and P Hyde had a very impressive 450 Great Black-backed Gulls before the roost left this morning and that was just the adults!

Jan 3rd

A bit of a red letter day today, 1st winter drake Lesser Scaup still in Toft Bay, 2 White-fronted Geese in field below Farborough Bank with a Jack Snipe for good measure with them. A call off Bob D to say a Long-tailed Duck had been reported and was re-located off Farborough Bank By R Mays and Bob D. Drake Smew still off Farborough Bank.  Richard finished off the night doing the roost and found Ad Caspian Gull,  3 ad and 2 1st winter Yellow-legged Gulls and best of all a Fulmar. Also today Rock Pipit, 2 Raven, Shelduck, Redpoll and Siskin.

Smew © Steve Seal

Jan 2nd

The 1st winter drake Lesser Scaup still present today in Toft Bay but no sign of the drake Smew off Farborough Bank though it has been getting to The Inlet.

Lesser Scaup © Steve Seal

Jan 1st

The 1st winter drake Lesser Scaup still present today in Toft Bay and drake Smew off Farborough Bank, both showed well despite the foggy conditions early on. Also a Merlin reported on the north shore, Chiffchaff in Toft and at lest 33 Goosander.