A Great Northern Diver flew west off Minehead this morning at 8.45 a.m. just after high tide. Also about 8 Red-throated Divers including several on the sea. There has also been a Black-throated Diver seen recently. The numbers of wintering Divers have been extremely low in recent years, the last good year was 2019. The reasons are not entirely known but it is thought that the Divers follow the Herring stocks which come closer inshore to breed. The area around Minehead is a known breeding ground. Herring have been observed being caught this year so it is to be hoped that this year the numbers of Divers will be higher. Numbers of Divers usually tend to peak in December and often tail off quickly in the New Year. Dave Dawe is leading a SOS meeting on the 16th of December off Minehead to look for Divers.

Also the adult Mediterranan Gull was off West Quay, now in its 18th winter.