Review of the year (my year)

 A look back at some highlights. I didn't find anything exceptionally rare as such, but had some nice things nonetheless. It was enjoyable, which is always a priority for me anyway....and there's always next year :)

The early part of the year included a Sibe Chiff, calling as well, at Shalfleet Sewage Farm on Feb 2nd. White-fronts at Brading Marsh as well as a Glossy Ibis on March 23rd. Finding breeding Egyptian Geese on March 15th was a first for the island; initially nine goslings seen but reduced to five juvs later in the season. Sea passage included Pomarine Skua on May 9th. Two booming Bitterns at Brading Marsh on May 16th. 

Summer saw a fairly prolonged heatwave (July). First juv Yellow-legged Gull at Sandown on July 15th. Firecrest bred locally in Ventnor for the fourth consecutive year since I moved here; a daily occurence especially vocally. 

Autumn: a couple of Ruff dropped into Brading Marsh on August 16th. Had a holiday in Scotland, Aug 17th - 29th, and spent some time with my brother at his local patch Ferry Hills (Fife); included a Honey Buzzard. On the journey up twitched the rare Bempton Cliffs RED-TAILED SHRIKE on Aug 18th.  Back home for late Aug. Early September, five Balearic Shearwaters at SCP on Sept 8th. A good day on Sept 12th with probably four different Honey Buzzards over Luccombe Down. This was followed by another Honey B (am) and a Bee-eater (pm) over Luccombe Down on Sept 15th. Several Woodlarks (vis mig/Ventnor Downs, Oct-Nov) and a flyover/calling Lapland Bunting (Bonchurch Down) on November 4th. Twitched the potential EASTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL at East Cowes esplanade on November 8th; I managed to sound record it whilst others collected a faecal sample for DNA analysis (awaiting confirmation). A couple of notable sea watches: Ten Little Gulls at SCP on Nov 15th followed by a (late) Sooty Shearwater west on Nov 24th. A cold snap during December brought in three Bean Geese sp. (likely Taiga) at Merstone/Rookley on December 15th. 

Bean Geese (Rookley/Merstone)

Three 'Taiga' Bean Geese, in the fields off the Merstone Cycle track: 

There was some debate as to whether they were tundra or taiga - but suspected to be the latter. It was also interesting to see many lapwing and golden plover in the fields, obviously displaced by the cold and icy conditions. We also clocked a Red Kite nearby. 

Bean geese flew over us occasionally calling:

The cold snap is coming to an end: since December 7th temperatures have been near freezing or just below, with the predominantly north easterlies. However, it's about to get milder again this weekend (and wet) as the winds turn southwards...but just before it does it was one last morning of an iced over car windscreen and an iced over Sandown Canoe Lake; quite a few LBB (six) there lunchtime including this 1cy; however, despite some regular coverage there, the gulls have been a bit disappointing esp. given the recent conducive conditions; feel a bit short changed something like a Caspo or a white winger....will persevere...  

Car windscreen (16/12)

Yellow-legged Gull and (putative) scandi herring gull (1cy) Cetti's at Roud

Sandown Canoe Lake:

1cy YL Gull. Occasionally calling (a high pitched eee). Cold snap continues: the Lake had been iced over for a few days...

A Cetti's calling at Roud SW (probably a first for the site). 

With argenteus - both called (YL only singly)

Juv Scandinavian Herring Gull (argentatus) on 7th:

Ringed (alphanumeric code) adult Herring Gull (December 9th) [Yellow 6F2B?] at Sandown Canoe Lake: this is a locally ringed bird, ringed nearly a decade ago at Lynbottom Refuse tip in 2013 (details received courtesy of Roger).

Cetti's at Roud Sewage Farm - 09/12/22: