Strong west wind in the morning with sunny spells, the wind eased a bit after lunch and started shifting to WNW. Some heavy squalls but still sunny periods.
South shore
I managed a mid morning look (MD)
Pale-bellied Brent geese 35 Red Nab (I counted 33 minimum in the Morning, Tim counted 35 in the afternoon)
Wigeon c200
Shelduck 8
Common Scoter 1 female/immature
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| Common Scoter |
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| There is a possibility that the dark belly is (oil?) staining rather than natural colouration |
It was just out from the sea wall between the outflows, but it looked healthy enough. This clip demonstrates how close to the wall it was.
Red-breasted Merganser 1 male
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| Male Red-breasted Merganser The wind providing the full Johnny Rotten look |
Grey Seal 1 male
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| Male Grey Seal |
I am often asked about seeing Grey Seals here, later in the year, they can be reasonably predictable, particularly when they are typically resting in the water. But today's seal was fishing and very difficult to locate as it was only surfacing briefly to breathe, and can easily be missed in the choppy sea. This was the best clip I managed.
The following three records were from the saltmarsh, but it was still only half covered when I left
Turnstone 59 in two mobile flocks (44 & 15)
Common Snipe 9
Jack Snipe 1
Unfortunately, there was nobody available to check what was behind the (very promising today) ferry. So Pete made a valiant effort to get to harbour, arriving just in time to see the ferry already docking!
Later in the afternoon, myself, Tim and Kevin were all out for strolls along the south sea wall. It seemed we were going to get a soaking (it was hailing as Tim walked down the wall). But the wind eased, and veered more to the north and the sun came out, it was really very pleasant.
Shag 1 ( probably 2) 2nd calendar year, near the waterfall - Tim took this respectable shot with his mobile
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| 2nd calendar year Shag |
This bird was in the harbour when I met Tim, Kevin saw one outside the harbour mouth at a similar time, unlikely to be the same bird.
Eider 1 male in harbour mouth
Kittiwake 1 adult - just seemed to appear in the harbour out of nowhere. It settled on the water for a while, then just disappeared again!
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| Adult Kittiwake in harbour mouth |
This conifer is at the very southern end of the dog walk, next to the metal barrier. It was absolutely full of birds!
By this time we had all met up. The bulk of the birds were a mixed tit flock, but not mobile (one Blue Tit actually appeared to be asleep). Then Kevin spotted a Siskin
So a reasonable estimate of the birds in this one tree and the immediate scrub around it
Long-Tailed Tit 10
Great Tit 4
Blue Tit 6
Coal Til 2
Siskin 1 (at least) female
Chaffinch 1 male
Goldcrest 1 (at least) - later Tim saw another two further along the dog walk.
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| Goldcrest |
The Tits and Goldcrest would be seeking out insects etc, but the Siskin was there for the seeds out of the pinecones and finding plenty, presumably this afternoon's sun must have allowed the cones to open up.
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| Female Siskin |
Mediterranean gull 1 adult on Lamppost (Heysham Rd and Oxcliffe Rd traffic light junction)
Black Redstart 1 female/immature at Sandylands
I don't suppose you need reminding, but very strong winds are forecast for tomorrow. Be careful where you go (hopefully, I'll heed my own advice!)
