Wednesday 31 December 2008

Freezing fog omen for the New Year's Day list

Heysham Obs
A week ago I would have said 100 species in the LDBWS area was relatively straightforward with the problem being low sun!! Not now, and the main problem has been the disappearance of or prospective unavailability due to poor offshore visibility of 5 "Heysham species". Potential lack of raptor flying weather also comes to mind.


Available & seen today
Med Gull - 2 adults on the railings at high tide
Twite - 38 on the NHW seed this morning at least
Linnet - 1 with the above & 4 on the mound pm.


Gone
Shag
Guillemot?


Unavailable if visibility poor
Red-throated Diver
Guillemot?


'Disappeared somewhere'
Purple Sandpipers - but has anyone checked at LOW tide?

The star of the show today, but completely "irrelevant" as regards a NYD list [e.g. part of Pine Lake 'package'], was the appearance of a pair of Gadwall with the Wigeon at Red Nab. This species makes the BTO challenge list by the skin of its teeth.

Elsewhere
See LDBWS site for some notebook fodder useful for tomorrow. NO reports of the European White-fronted Geese in poor visibility (or the Greylag flock). Two Spotted Redshank and Greenshank Conder area. 6 Scaup still off north Morecambe. 85 Whooper Swan Fluke Hall Lane. Lune valley Whooper not visible in fog i.e. probably at yesterdays distant location.