New year

Having worked new years day for the last few years, it was nice this year to actually have the opportunity to get out and do a Jan 1st bird race type count - though due to a private matter - I didn't spend the whole day out in the field, thus ending it around 2pm. So my overall total wasn't particularly notable.

As the weather at the start of day was wet and blustery I started things at St Cath's. A sea watch there produced mainly red-throated divers, kittiwakes, auks and gannets; all moving west past the point.
Second stop was Fort Vic with more kittiwakes. Then Yarmouth and Newtown.
Ryde west sands and seaview, where I ended with a slavonian Grebe. Despite the iffy weather it was a good start to the year.

Today I went back to fort Vic as the weather again was stormy with westerlies. A diver (probably GN) pitched in, but due to the swell, it seemingly disappeared - though it did reappear and left east.

Second stop was Borthwood. Or Winford. Interestingly there have been quite a few reports of bramblings over-wintering in the area; and not just one or two as is more usual; but 60 to 100 have been estimated, a record count. There were certainly a lot feeding there today, but my casual count was a more modest 30 to 40. Impressive.

And finally: had to pay Brading a visit, what with four Cattle egrets and a glossy ibis being seen there the last few days. And as soon as I'd got out of the car I immediately saw all four egrets and the glossy. Plus a water pipit. Not too shabby.

 

Bramblings - In the fields south of Borthwood copse; East of Winford - an area that I'd never really explored before. But the 'set aside' has proved its worth to a variety of finches etc. Also good for wintering woodlark.

 

 

Brading - Cattle egrets and glossy ibis - bizarre - but now a seemingly normal sight?