Stewchat...

The wind has dropped to a SSE2 this morning, with odd showers, brightening to a nice sunny afternoon.

A seawatch from 8am - 9am was a tad slow. The southerlies have blasted the birds back into the north Atlantic. Still a few wildfowl were moving -

Pale bellied Brent Geese 11
Teal 130
Wigeon 58
Shoveler 2 a rare bird on the patch.
Pintail 2 ditto
Common Scoter 101
Red throated Diver 3
Arctic Skua 4
Bonxie 7
Manx Shearwater 1
Arctic Tern 6+
Sandwich Tern 3+
Grey Wagtail 2
Whimbrel 1 on the rocks.

All going north.

A few Chiffchaffs were in the coastal scrub including one singing. At least 4 were in the garden this afternoon. One bird was very inquisitive, peering in at our windows, gave me a nice photo opportunity. Click for a bigger image.

A Swift went S over the garden this afternoon in with 30+ House Martins and 86+ Swallows.