Tuesday, 24 January 2023

Peering through the mists......again

Very light southerly breeze. Low cloud/mist/drizzle all day.

Just my stuff so far (MD)
Heysham skear - low water 07:35
It was dark and misty......(I feel like saying full stop)
Brent geese - 3 flying around skear, at 09:05 a distant flock of 20+ flew towards the rocks out from the play area (which was out of visible range)
Pink-Footed geese - several skeins heard milling around above the mist.
Eider 18
Pintail 2 (duck and drake)
Great Crested Grebe 6
Still no Little Egrets
When you can see almost nothing, you can always watch the water. The lack of wind this morning does allow you to see just how quickly these 10 metre tides come in.
When I started this clip I was on the water's edge. By the time it finishes the water is three metres past me. You need to know that you have a safe path back when it comes in like this.

South sea wall
A pleasant walk along the wall starting 90 minutes after high water.
Pale-bellied Brent goose - I was expecting to see a largish flock arrive from the south, but it didn't happen. There were two already feeding on Red Nab.
Wren on Red Nab

Redshank on sloping sea wall

Female Red-breasted Merganser taking off from the pool on Red Nab

Kittiwake 16 -  4 adult plus 2 x first winter on the outflows. Another 10 x first winter in the harbour

This Black-Headed Gull grabbed this whitebait/sprat from No.1 outflow. It is almost snatched away by an adult Kittiwake, unfortunately you cant really see the Kittiwake in this clip.

Close up from the above clip showing the fish

Rock Pipit 2 - Red Nab/sea wall and lighthouse area.
Shag 1 immature on wooden jetty