I spent yesterday morning at Long Nab. A seawatch was pretty slow going, with apart from the Gannets streaming south, just a flock of 9 Goldeneye, 2 Pale-bellied Brents, a Shelduck and single Grey Plover and Golden Plover moving offshore. After two hours a walk was in order and heading off along the cliffs it was not long before I located a Red-necked Grebe not too far offshore. A nice find, as this species is pretty scarce hereabaouts and a poor record shot is below.
Continuing along to my ringing site at Hundale the cold weather had produced a decent influx of Woodcock with 9 present, plus a couple of Goldcrests and Redwings. The game crop at Long Nab has been attracting a decent number of Tree Sparrows for a while, but 75 was noteworthy. However, 53 Reed Buntings in the same area smashed the site record. Great evidence of the benefits these species gain from the HLS scheme.