The fresh SE wind eased by the afternoon and shifted to SW. overcast all day but it remained dry.
Pete checked the lunchtime ferry in again:
35 Kittiwake and two adult Mediterranean gull behind Ben My Chree entering Heysham port
Also 23 Pale-bellied Brent goose visible from Knowlys road off play area
I'd walked along the south wall to watch the ferry in (MD), but by 12:15 it still wasn't within sight. The cold and hunger pangs were both starting to bite, so I headed for home. Pete confirmed that it arrived late today, I should have checked timing before setting off!
I did manage some nice views of at least one immature Shag though.
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| Initially it was resting between the cross bars of the nearest platform to the harbour wall. Unfortunately only visible at range. |
Closer, the platform frame was obscuring most of it, but this clip, still has a charm.
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| Fortunately the tide was rising above its resting place, and it took to the water. |
This clip is a Shag and a Cormorant in the middle of the harbour a little later. I'm not certain, that it is the same Shag.
(Pete confirms that these are indeed two different Immature Shag a 1cy and 2cy)
Mediterranean Gull 1 was resting behind No.2 outflow. This was long before the ferry came in. So it either flew out to meet the ferry or this is an additional bird.
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| Distant, grainy, shot of Mediterranean gull (left) with BHGs |
Rock Pipit 3
Janet's friend, Jimmy, on Slyvan Place, is receiving increasing, and increasingly noisy visits from his fox. This is the time of year when fox's thoughts turn to "starting a family". Jimmy's old Patterdale Terrier "goes nuts" when she hears the dog fox.
