Brents & Meds

A late morning walk at Blackpool Mill produced 3 Dippers and a selection of woodland birds including Marsh Tit and Nuthatch. And lots of drizzle!

Late afternoon the Gann was lively (in weather and bird terms), most impressive was a count of 31 Brent Geese - 11 of these feeding on the edge of the pool below the road/farm, 1 of which was an adult bird that I would suggest is a hybrid Black Brant / pale-bellied Brent. Very dark upperparts, dark underparts (but not dark enough for a Brant) and a striking white flank flash, as well as a distinct, tall, pale neck mark (which did not meet in the middle). Well worth a look. One of the 20 birds in the beach may have been a dark-bellied bird but not good views. Also of note:

Grey Plover 2

Greenshank 1

Bar-tailed Godwit 1

Dunlin 1

Redshank 8

Ringed Plover 12

Turnstone 15

Little Egret 2

Wigeon 7

Teal 30

Goldeneye 8

Around at Dale a nice gull roost, with 11 Mediterranean Gulls (10 adults, 1 2nd-winter). Merry Christmas everyone.