Heysham Obs
An early WeBS count was the order of the day this morning as weekend work looms. Any results from coverage of the Obs area on Sunday & Monday gratefully received. Thanks. Kingfisher has been on the 'guaranteed' year list for some time now, but doubts after this last winter whether it would indeed make the 2010 BTO Business Challenge. No worries! The Red-throat was given the benefit of any doubt c/f the rather arbitrary line in the sea which denotes "British Energy property" and therefore also a BTO challenge qualifier.
Ocean Edge/Red Nab high tide
Kingfisher - a welcome return after no sightings so far this year (BTO challenge qualifier as landed on a rock on Red Nab)
Black-tailed Godwit - 21 remained to roost on the edge of OE saltmarsh (plus one Bar-tailed Godwit). Late afternoon - flock increased to 24 and included the colour-ringed bird.
Med Gull - adult roosting on Red Nab
Shelduck - 121 remaining by Red Nab at high tide
Wigeon - 89
Red-throated Diver - singleton off outfalls/Red Nab as close as they get here & just about(ish) within the requisite sea area re-BTO challenge. Three further birds miles out on the sea.
Offshore
Diver in flight which appeared to show characters of Black-throated, but it was miles away & getting even further away, heading towards the "left hand side" of the windfarm at about 1005hrs. Not having checked the pager, I was informed a BTD was seen of Rossall yesterday after making a phone call, so hopefully, if it is off-passage, clinching views from here in the next few days as the tides are getting higher. Three RTD miles out (see above)
Wooden jetty
Purple Sandpiper - one eventually crept out from behind a cross-piece
Old Fisher's roof
Med Gull - single adult - light bad - possibly another bird half-hidden
North harbour wall
18 Twite
Elsewhere
Unringed ad Med Skerton Weir.
