A pleasant break from the howling gales in the early morning was short-lived, and the wind returned again in the afternoon bringing squally showers and a drop in temperature. The harbour was the place to be during the brief calmer spell and 14
Black-
necked Grebes, 2
Great Northern Divers as well as singles of
Red-
necked Grebe,
Black-
throated Diver and
Common Scoter were recorded. Elsewhere, Penn Castle woods saw 3
Firecrests and the Bill
Common Scoter flock reached 25.
With the winds as strong as they have been, the harbour's wildlife has been blown into unusually confiding areas. Today's intrepid birders were treated to some excellent views, not least the brilliant red eyes of one of our resident Black-necked Grebes © Pete Saunders:
