Wasn't expecting to be out birding on the patch today but a chance Wicklow Branch errand meant I was in Newcastle village for 10am. Grand so!
Headed off down the Sea Road and as soon as I walked through the main gate to Blackditch East Coast Nature Reserve a couple of Crossbill flew over calling, a Sparrowhawk dashed through being mobbed by a Rook and a Buzzard was tucking into a pigeon in a nearby stubble field. Three patch year ticks in as many minutes...Huzzah! Won't be likely to keep this momentum up for long after January however.
Only patch ticked Crossbill for the first time last summer in Blackditch wood. In reality they are probably more regular here than I thought but still great to see & hear today.
Only patch ticked Crossbill for the first time last summer in Blackditch wood. In reality they are probably more regular here than I thought but still great to see & hear today.
Lots of duck out from the main hide at the reserve including 43 Shoveler
Elsewhere, the Great Northern Diver was offshore again, this time at close range & a Kittiwake was new for the year. On the marsh, the Dark-bellied Brent Goose was still present with the hrota flock (got a few colour ring reads too) whilst an adult Mediterranean Gull in The Breaches provided yet another patch year tick! Irregular in winter so another good one to get.
Adult Dark-bellied Brent Goose
80 species, 94 points & 48.08%
Niall
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