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.
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| 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.
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| Dark-bellied Brent |
Wigeon 2
Rock Pipit 4
Shag 1 2nd calendar year in the harbour - first record for a while
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| 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)
