A birding lesson for me at Castle Point this morning. In my scope was a dark bird rapidly flying head on towards us from the north, very low over the sea. As I was going through the probables Helen, who was standing next to me (using binoculars) announced " it's a Merlin". She was right, and we enjoyed good views as it sped past the point.
Otherwise, single Red-throated Diver and Shag and a little raft of 24 Common Gulls.