A light south wind, dry but overcast.
Report from Pete Crooks:
Heysham North Harbour Wall (7.40 – 9.25 am) – A rather underwhelming sea-watch:
7 Sandwich Tern
5 Red-throated Diver (distant)
2 ‘Auk species’ (probably Razorbill, but again distant)
8 Common Scoter (very distant)
1 Harbour Porpoise
1 Whimbrel (my first of 2023)
1 Rock Pipit
Pete (M) also managed intermittent checks 0625-0900
Mediterranean gull 1 x 2cy ocean edge tideline,
Shag wooden jetty
3 x 2cy Kittiwake on pipe
Total seawatch tally, including Pete (C) records above:
6 Red throated diver
11 sandwich tern
2 Razorbill/Guillemot
1 plus 8 probable distant common scoter
2 plus 1 Harbour porpoise
1 grey seal
I checked the south shore 09:00 -10:30 (MD)
Whimbrel at least 1 - a loose group of 8 "Curlewish" birds flew high to the east over the saltmarsh at high water. Their bills on the short side for Curlew. As they passed over one Whimbrel called, but I couldn't be certain that it wasn't from the saltmarsh. No further calls after they had passed over, so at least 1 around, possibly all 8 flying over were Whimbrel.
Wheatear 10 along foreshore, sea wall and lighthouse area, but moving through quickly. This clip is of one finding wind collected, presumably, invertebrates along the sea wall.
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| Male Wheatear - I had a practice with my camera, getting better! Sometimes. |
Linnet 4 on Red Nab, 5 between lighthouse and waterfall
The 3 Kittiwake were feeding on the outflows
The Shag was still on the wooden jetty, same location as yesterday, and I wouldn't normally bother posting another shot, but this has a secondary interest. The Cormorant to the right of the Shag has a large orange ring, too distant for me to read, but possible with a scope. Pete suggests that it is probably part of the scheme run at the Hale Duck Decoy colony (near Widnes). One to look out for.
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| Immature Shag plus orange ringed Cormorant |
Turnstone c100
Knot 1
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| Solitary Knot with Turnstone on wooden jetty |
