Monday 4 January 2010

Brilliant Jack Snipe

Heysham Obs
Missed, as usual, THE perfect Jack Snipe photo op. - feeding out in the open next to Common Snipe, sun behind observer. A happy slap (after I had been talked through how to do one) produced a blur. Please note that Ocean Edge is closed for the usual one month a year and anyone accessing the site MUST, as usual, ask permission at reception which will probably be open

Red Nab/Ocean Edge
Grey Plover - 1
Med Gull - adult
Wigeon - 148
Gadwall - male and female
Jack Snipe - 2 forced out by the tide OE saltmarsh - one giving superb prolonged views
Snipe - 3 with above
Twite - 2 OE saltmarsh
Reed Bunting - one OE saltmarsh
Ringed Plover - 17, including Snettisham-ringed (and subsequently breeding there) female

Reserve
Water Rail - one still at least
Snipe - 5 flushed

Elsewhere
Purple Sandpiper Morecambe Stone Jetty on Bubbles groyne on incoming tide