Wednesday 4 May 2022

Inshore Skuas, including Bonxie

The wind started SW but swung to WNW by lunchtime. Heavy showers in the morning with increasing sunshine after lunch

Seawatch report from Pete:
Sea early incoming tide Heysham north wall: 
Nothing inbound after sandbanks covered despite strengthening SW wind; all skuas and terns outbound: 
Bonxie (Great Skua) 1
Arctic Skua two dark morph
Gannet 20 (including seasonally unexpected 2Cy)
Sandwich tern 11
Arctic tern 7 & 3
Common Scoter 2
Kittiwake 16 & 1
At least five wheatear gate 38 road. 

South Shore (MD)
Just a quick check from Saltmarsh to Red Nab mid morning - it had just started tipping down - there were lots grounded!
Wheatear 21
Linnet 8
Rock Pipit 2
Greenfinch 4
Willow Warbler 1
Common Whitethroat  1
Sedge Warbler 1
The above three in saltmarsh scrub
This Wheatear has obviously pinched the Linnet's preferred shelter

They were relegated to second choice shelter


An afternoon walk along the sea wall in the sunshine:
Wheatear at least 20 visible from Red Nab including the first 100m of foreshore. Plus another 7 on the scrub near Lighthouse . So absolute minimum number today 33.
Whinchat - surprisingly, after yesterday's high numbers, just 1 male with the Wheatears near the lighthouse.

Shag 1 2nd calendar year on wooden jetty 
Rock Pipit 1
Willow Warbler 1 near waterfall 
Linnet 4 between Lighthouse and waterfall 

From Pete - juvenile Woodpigeon, already - Knowlys Rd