Abandon ship.......

Merlin and 13 Sandwich Terns were seen from Whitburn Obs by 9am this morning. Stoney was in the house and from the off we reckoned the conditions looked good for raptors with a brisk NW and sunshine. The light was difficult but it was a nice change when someone other than me saw Merlin from the Obs, 10 minutes later than yesterdays
Rob told me the news that Foss had a Black Kite so we abandoned the sea watch and headed to Cleadon. Sadly we didn't connect but this is what we did see in order of appearance

Wednesday 6th April 06.00-09.00 NW2 3/8

Alba Wagtail 3n 4s
Kittiwake 4000 plus n is a conservative estimate over the watch they just kept coming
Cormorant 13n 35s
Eider 5n 6s
Common Gull 159n 39s
Chiffchaff 1
Red th Diver 3n 1s
Black h Gull 10n 19s
Sandwich Tern 7n 6s
Curlew 1n
Common Scoter 4n 9s
Carrion Crow 20
Sand Martin 4n
Linnet 22 in off
Merlin 1n heading in off 07.21
Meadow Pipit 8 in off
Grey Wagtail 1s
Porpoise 1n
Shelduck2s
Gannet 4n
Shag 1n

We had no luck locating the Kite but the good news is Rob found an Osprey trying