24th-28th December

With the usual Christmas social events coming to the fore, most of the period has been spent inside. Some time was spent out on 24th and 28th though, with occasional forays in-between, mainly to walk off festive excesses! A good thrash around half of the coastline on 28th was the most productive day with the first-winter Short-billed Dowitcher seen again at West Beach-it probably never leaves! The drake Green-winged Teal was also at Bridesness (also seen 24th) and a Little Auk in Nouster Bay. The Black-tailed Godwit flock had increased to 24 birds on Christmas Eve with 19 still present on 28th, while the Common Buzzard was seen on 3dates. The Greenland White-fronted Goose, Shelduck and at least 130 Twite and 10 Snow Buntings have also been seen regularly during the five day spell.



Short-billed Dowitcher