First post of the year.

It's been a canny start really to the new year over the last few days for myself, especially with today's events. The first outing of the year was to the pier area (where else!) a few days back and it was nice to see a few Shags now starting to drift in here, along with the usual numbers of waders. But I've been informed there's larger numbers of Purple sands than usual sighted the last few days by different watchers. Also a colour ringed Sanderling was sighted by a Jarra lad just before the new year but I ain't caught up with that one yet.

 Marine park lake holds around 40-50 Tufties at present along with 5-7 Pochards ( depends when you visit the number varies). Four Mute swans and the almost resident 4 Canada geese now. And then I picked up upon this new oddity to the collection a couple of days back....

Definitely a Pochard hybrid, more than likely a cross with a Tufty.?? First time I've seen it here, amazing what tickles ya fancy on a regular walk.
I've viewed Marsden Bay a few times also this new year on the drive along the coastal stretch.This is just a handy spot to drop into for a short time to do a bit of sea watching as I'm not as dedicated as the lads up the road in the Whitburn observatory.. Do I miss that Lizard point car park for this purpose.!
A drake Long-tailed duck present a few days back in the bay along with a scattering of Scoter, eider and the odd Red throated diver on a visit or two. Also a Blue Fulmar a few days back was picked up inter-acting with another 2 Fulmars near the stack, I came back the next day and hardly a Fulmar to be seen around the cliff areas. Harbour porpoises seen on just about every visit also.

 A welcomed phone call this morning from one of the Jarra patch watchers got me activated. I was soon mobile and heading for the town's hot spot of Saxon way after hearing the news that 10 Waxwings had been picked up here. Great stuff!. Myself and the great Waxwing hunter ( another Jarra lad)  managed 14 high up
in the trees at the end of this road. A second visit later with the better half + Bob and the count went up to 20, by now a canny crowd had gathered...great banter . It's a hard one to pin down the actual number due to the Starling's joining in the action here, over 10 Redwings, a few Fenzies (Mistle thrushes) defending the berries and a Songie or two + Blackbirds. Frantic action at times, Brilliant all the same!

Hopefully drop back into tomorrow if lights better and there's more action to be had.