January 5th

There was a gale force north-westerly wind blowing and rain as we arrived at Reculver at 0800 for eighty minute seawatch. There was not a great deal moving but we did see 166 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 male Stonechat on the car park rocks, 1 female Red-breasted Merganser flying W close inshore (99th) and 5 Pintail flying W (100th).

This morning Matt began with a seawatch at Minnis Bay where he recorded 15 Wigeon, 2 Common Scoter, 15 Red-throated Divers, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 2 adult Little Gulls flying W (101st), 6 Pintail flying W, 1 Snow Bunting flying W over the sea (102nd) and 1 Kittiwake. Next he visited Netherhale and Brooksend and recorded 1 Mistle Thrush, 20 Tufted Ducks, 1 Greylag Goose and 1 Canada Goose (103rd) with 4 hybrids, 1 Goldcrest, 20 Chaffinches, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Kestrel and 1 Firecrest. Finally at Reculver he counted 22 Coot, 65  Mallard, 10 Tufted Duck, 1 Gadwall, 5 Teal, 1 Wigeon, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper and 1 Grey Wagtail.