Thursday 31 August 2023

A pair of yellow ringed Meds

A dry day with plenty of sunshine. The wind shifted to SE.

South Shore
Janet had an early walk along the sea wall.

Water vapour was still rising from the seaward end of No.1 outflow
No wind at this time

Looks like this young Black-Headed gull wanted to play "sticks"
But the others weren't interested today

I walked down a little later to watch the tide cover the beach next to the jetty (MD)
Mediterranean gulls 13 at least. There were 8 adult, 1 second calendar year and 2 first calendar year on the beach. Plus at least 2 additional second calendar year on Red Nab later.
The pickings are still easy here and the gulls were mainly resting and flew off as the tide reached them. One of the adults had a yellow darvic ring, but remained just beyond reading range.
Fortunately, I relocated it later on Red Nab, it is one of the German scheme adults read earlier this month. There was also a yellow ringed immature Med on Red Nab which is also part of a German scheme. This is a new bird for Heysham.
German ringed Mediterranean gull - details awaited 

Rock Pipit 1 on foreshore 
Swallow 2 south

Heliport 
Howard had a quick look
Nothing exciting on the heliport today other than 3 visits from a male Sparrowhawk, think it got a Turnstone on it's last attack.
Wheatear 1 juvenile 
Rock Pipit 2 on Near Naze
Rock Pipit