Wednesday, 8 November 2023

More Little Gulls

Heavy rain till mid morning. A fresh wind switched abruptly at 09:20 from SE to west.

South Shore (MD)
I just walked out to check No.2 outflow. On the way out the SE wind was driving the rain into my back, I "knew" walking back was going to be tough. I sheltered under the outflow superstructure while I checked the birds. In that time the wind had turned right round to the west and, thankfully, drove the rain against my back again when I returned.
Little Gull 6 at least. 3 adult, 1 second calendar year and at least 2 first calendar year.
This is one of the 1st calendar year birds. It wasn't easy maintaining focus through the rain, but a least this clip gives a sense on this morning's conditions (and a glimpse of the StenaLine heading out).


This is the 2nd calendar year, I originally mistook it for an adult 
as only traces of black on the upper wings.


Adult Little Gull

The juvenile Arctic Tern wasn't feeding this morning and so far I have not received any reports of it today.

Also:
Wigeon 60+ amongst Red Nab rocks.
Shelduck 31 out from the saltmarsh 
Dunlin 27 out from the saltmarsh 

Heysham Skear - low water 14:30 (MD)
By this time the sun was shining but you had to be wrapped up against the fresh west wind.
Eider 4
Red-breasted Merganser 5 together 
Great Crested Grebe 1

There were a lot more Knot today, at least 2,500. They always look impressive flying in the sunshine. This is the largest flock coming in to land.

When there are so many eyes watching you it is difficult to get close enough to check for rings. There was at least one orange flagged bird, but too distant to read. I did manage to read this one on Sunday though.
Ringed as a juvenile 24/08/21 at Ceredigion Wales. It has since been seen at
Southport and Fornby, but this is the first Heysham record

Oystercatcher 1,000 spread all over the skear. Very few of these are colour ringed, but I managed to spot one today.
Ringed as a nestling 18/06/21 at GarĂ°ur Iceland.
It was seen at Loch Ryan Scotland 25/09/21 and again 23/02/23
Redshank 80
Turnstone 60
Dunlin 2
Bar-Tailed Godwit 23
Curlew 9

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