I explored the south west bushes to start with and was rewarded with a very close Short-eared Owl quartering around the pool near MM’s house. A Spoonbill drifted high overhead towards B Water.
An impressive passage of hundreds of House Martins and Swallows included the odd Sand Martin and a Sedge Warbler at the edge of the reed bed near the NP hide was an increasingly unusual record for the site. Two Wheatear lingered along the beach and 20 Chiffchaffs were very vocal including several who were singing.
I had reached the hides before Ian rang to say that there was a male Common Scoter close in shore off the beach. I returned to the beach gate and had great views as it drifted east.
Waders around the hides included 12 Greenshank, 3 Spotted Redshank and 3 Green Sandpiper. A wander around the point produced a stunning Merlin first seen perched on distant fence posts before powering towards me chasing Linnets and Meadow Pipits and then flying straight over my head.
Insects included a Clouded Yellow drifting west along the beach, several pristine Small Coppers, a perched Migrant Hawker and several Common Darter.
Patch Birding 