A leisurely wander out to Druridge Bay proved more productive than expected. Started at East Chevington with little on North Pool as water level has not dropped enough yet to provide any mud. Just a few Great Crested Grebes and a few Common & Sandwich Terns. The sea however delivered a surprise in the form of a Great Northern Diver offshore which seemed content to lounge in company with a Red-throated. Strange date for one. Also at least 25 Puffins seen with several on the sea. The Common Scoter flock looked to be touching a thousand birds in one impressive flock. On to the Drift cafe at Cresswell for much needed refreshment then Cresswell Pond which again was surprisingly busy. Two juvenile Little Ringed Plovers. six Black-tailed Godwits, an early returning Whimbrel plus Little Egret & six Little Gulls. A moulting adult Mediterranean Gull was just picked out on the spit when it decided to wake up. Druridge Pools then provided two Spoonbills but no sign of recently present Wood Sandpipers. Also five Black-tailed Godwits there and a few Dunlin. Water levels excellent for waders at both Cresswell & Druridge. TRD/JD
