Wednesday 6 January 2021

Wrong......again!

Another overnight ground frost, light north wind and mainly sunny.

Unfortunately, but understandably, increased movement restrictions will result in fewer walks by me and less opportunities of records from others. I will maintain this blog as best I can, any observations from anyone exercising in the recording area are welcome. My e-mail address is on the side bar to the right. 
Malcolm

So far, just my records from a morning stroll on Heysham skeer.
Pale-bellied Brent goose 27 - this is what today's title refers to, yesterday I said that they were opting to feed on the water rather than coming ashore. Today, I went down earlier in the tide, at 09:30 there were 27 feeding well in from the water's edge along the brackish drain where the weed grows. I managed to squeeze 25 onto this frame, they include two Red Blue ringed birds, almost certainly the regular Canadian pair.
When I was leaving the skeer at 10:30, I thought they had all gone, but checking along the skeer edge found two groups of 9 and 5 close in, but on the water. I don't know if the others were still around or moved on. This is the point in the tide, where I started yesterday, so presumably they fill their bellies with weed then float a while to digest it, but can't resist an odd buffet snack.

Peregrine 1
Knot c2,500
Eider c70
Red-breasted Merganser 4
Goldeneye 1 male


It was regularly feeding, I caught a dive on this clip, but suspect it was more an escape response to the passing gull. Note the two Merganser behind