294 Little Auks, 29 Long tailed Ducks and an Iceland Gull passed Whitburn Obs by 12.55. Snow greeted me as i left the house this morning, winter has arrived. The strong north westerly didn't disappoint bringing lots of anticipated Little Auks and a cracking sea watch. I was joined by the usual crowd, Hoggie, Pink Floyd the Boy Wonder et al, Stoney was in the House
It was non stop action i was struggling to keep the log with bird movements being shouted constantly. Most passage was close inshore making it memorable
This is what we saw in order of appearance
Saturday 21st November 07.05-12.55 NW4-5
Common Gull 220n
Black h Gull 134n
Goldeneye 78n
Dunlin 265n
Teal 14n
Shag 4n 9s
Common Scoter 17n 1s
Eider 10n 9s
Little Auk 294n
Red th Diver 19n 3s
Turnstone 9n
Wigeon 164n
Mallard 25n
Pom Skua 1s 2 on sea
Long tailed Duck 28n 1s
Kittiwake 90n 7s
Redshank 1n
Knot 1n
Bar t Godwit 8n
Bonxie 6s
Fulmar 4n
Little Gull 2n 1s
Velvet Scoter 6n
Red br Merganser 8n
Brent Goose 29n pb 1n db
Tufted Duck 8n
Pintail 1n
Goosander 3n
Shelduck 2n
Curlew 1n
Great northern Diver 1n 2s
Grey Plover 1n
Goldeneye 78n
Great crested Grebe 1n
Sanderling 5n
Rock Pipit 2n
Med Gull 1n 1s ads
Jack Snipe 1 in/off Iceland Gull 1n juv
I left Derek and a few others in to continue the watch, we are not many away from a record Dunlin count and sometimes it can be later in the day when Little Auks get going
The Jack Snipe was an Obs year tick bringing my total to 169 thanks to Boy Wonder
