Taken as it flew SE over Middleton NR today - the first time it has been seen over there. Thanks Janet
Interesting perception this lunchtime from a 'camera no binoculars' type. "Why is the Velvet Scoter publicised when it is impossible to get a photograph of it". My response was that it was up to him to convey this to the snapper community as it had been made repeatedly clear on here for birders that a good telescope zoom lens or 35 x + fixed lens was required to connect! Have the snappers as opposed to photographer/birders got their own Facebook/website?
The most regular observer of this bird (Jean Roberts doing vis mig from Heysham Head) routinely uses 30-35 x to locate and 60 x to double-check. Very occasionally identifiable whilst asleep on 20 x if close inshore. Obviously if it flaps or flies to readjust its position on the dropping tide, even binoculars will identify it, but you need to find the right bird in the right flock of Eider in the first place to see if it flaps!
Pink-footed Goose - c75 north
Velvet Scoter - ad drake offshore with Eider: too repeat (see above) 35 x plus scope needed to see this bird properly
Iceland Gull - 3S still in sw corner of harbour
Tawny Owl - calling Heysham Head
Raven - at least one and probably two heard flying high to north (scarce again around here now)
Carrion Crow - 17 on shore then east
Jackdaw - 5+2 east over HNR/OE
Redpoll - 3 N
Siskin - 1 N
Meadow Pipit - c10 N
Alba Wagtail 2 N
Goldfinch 2 N
Linnet 5 N
Chough - flew over Middleton NR just after 0900 heading SE - the only sighting this am despite presence in the area since 0700. Suspect it went on to the golf course early am. It then flew north over Heysham village east side late afternoon, the last known sighting to at least the 28th
Cetti's Warbler singing Middleton central marsh
Barn Owl - hunting early am at Middleton NR
Goldcrest - two ringed Middleton
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