Sunday 1 January 2023

A slow start

A light but freshening south to SW wind. Some sunny periods with the occasional shower.

Pete and Jean managed a quick visit
Pintail 5 south 
Shag 1 on wooden jetty

I just had chance of a short walk after lunch (MD)
Heysham skear - low water 13:35
At 2.7m low water, the tide doesn't go out far, conger rock was barely exposed.
Pale-bellied Brent geese 16 at least - I underestimated the likelihood of them being flushed by walkers from the far rocks, one party was walking along the outer rocks and the only brent visible were 10 on the rocks out from Sandylands groyne, but these quickly flew back when the coast was clear (literally).
Two additional groups of 3 also flew in. After tomorrow, I would expect this area to be less disturbed.

Bar-Tailed Godwit 5 - this one catches a lugworm at the start of the clip, then quickly moves out the Curlew's way.


Three that had been feeding further along the shore lifted these two
All five continued south

Red-breasted Merganser 2
Male Red-breasted Merganser 

Shelduck 3 south
Eider 30+
Female and male Eider resting in the lee of a rock