First Tern

A fresh SW to SSW wind. Some sunshine and some showers.

Pete and Jean checked from key locations - report from Pete:

North side low water channels

341 Eider

18 Red-breasted Merganser

8 Great Crested Grebe

2 Pintail 

Red Nab

32 Pale-bellied Brent goose

6 Dark-bellied Brent goose 

Heysham seawatch - too clear and wind too SSW, but:

Single Sandwich tern new for year 

12 Gannet

30 Common Scoter 

7 Red-Throated Diver 

4 Guillemot

1 Razorbill 

1 drake Goosander (uncommon in the recording area)

South shore (MD)

The earlier Brents had left Red Nab when I passed at 13:00, but at 13:15, 32 Pale-bellied, almost certainly the same birds as above, returned from the north side.

Some of the 32 Pale-bellied Brent flying to Red Nab

On returning to Red Nab at 14:00 the Pale-bellied had been joined by 9 Dark-bellied. There were two with the Pale- bellied and these 7 together.

This next clip is just to show how lighting affects the appearance of birds. I went to the other side of them and the sun came out briefly, making them look quite pale, but they are dark-bellied.

Strangely, as the tide flushed the birds, only six of the above seven birds flew off together, presumably the same six seen earlier.

Dark-bellied Brent

Wigeon 2

Rock Pipit 4

Shag 1 2nd calendar year in the harbour - first record for a while

2nd calendar year Shag 

Alan has a limited number of hard copy Observatory Annual Reports (full of useful information about species distribution for the recording area, as well as the record of last year's sightings and ringing details. It's not just Birds, but Butterflies, Moths, Mammals etc). If you would like a copy please contact Alan Draper (alanxhill@btinternet.com). A nominal contribution of £4 if you can collect, or £5 if you prefer Alan to post (If outside UK postage will be higher)