Saturday 27 March 2021

Some wind blown stuff and a visitor from Devon

Very strong overnight SW wind eased slightly by morning and was more WSW. The heavy overnight rain also stoped just after first light.

Early morning sea watch (JR.PM)
Gannet 6
Kittiwake 55
Little gull 1 2nd calendar year bird was disturbed off sea by outgoing ferry, then flew out and relanded.
This Devon ringed Oystercatcher was roosting on Near Naze, details below.

Activity

Date

Location

Movement

Duration

Ringed

28 Sep 2019

Dawlish Warren, Exe Estuary, 

Devon, UK



Colour marks read

30 Sep 2019 

to

03 Jan 2020

Dawlish Warren, Exe Estuary, 

Devon, UK

0km

0y 3m 6d

Colour marks read

21 Jan 2020

Exe Estuary (off Exmouth), 

Devon, UK

1km NNE

0y 3m 24d

Colour marks read

01 Feb 2020 

to

14 Feb 2020

Dawlish Warren, Exe Estuary, 

Devon, UK

0km

0y 4m 17d

Colour marks read

25 Feb 2020

Exe Estuary (off Exmouth), 

Devon, UK

1km NNE

0y 4m 28d

Colour marks read

03 Mar 2020 

to

19 Nov 2020

Dawlish Warren, Exe Estuary, 

Devon, UK

0km

1y 1m 22d

Colour marks read

27 Mar 2021

Near Naze, Heysham, Lancs, UK

383km N

1y 5m 27d

This map shows the resighting and recapture history for the Oystercatcher ringed with metal ring FJ28629. At ringing it was aged as a fourth calendar year or older, but with some immature plumage (EURING code 6I).























South shore
Wheatear 2
Rock Pipit 3 (Red Nab, foreshore and sea wall)
This shot from Janet is actually one of yesterday's Rock Pipits near No.1 outflow
Raven 2 
Two Raven battling north
The wind had eased from overnight, but it was still very strong. This Wheatear sheltered behind a rock, the wind is coming from the right.

Even the Magpies were struggling!

North shore
Low water channels 
Eider 70+
Great Crested grebe 9 in one raft
Red-breasted Merganser 10 (8+2)

Janet took these shots of the Heysham Head Rock Pipits


Finally, a bit of good news. I'm pretty sure that this Knot is the one I showed on 21st March, it was very approachable then, but not feeding. I've seen it every time that I have checked the south side since then. Each time it has been more stationary and looking more pathetic. Three days ago it was grabbed by a Carrion Crow and only just managed to escape. I wasn't expecting it to survive. But today, in the area I normally see it, this bird was at least trying to feed, despite being blown back by the wind. It wasn't the only one being blown by the wind, I was too, sorry about the video quality (MD)
I was really pleased to see it looking healthy. I guess it had some avain ailment and was now feeling better. Hopefully it will find enough food to build up its strength.