Tuesday 5 December 2023

High Wigeon count and Brent were seen today

The overnight rain stopped as it was getting light, then a dry and largely sunny day. A bit warmer, but the NE breeze was cold.

Imperial Rd (MD)
Just a quick check from the car.
Buzzard 1 resting on top of a small tree close to the bypass, next to the sub-station:

It was resting with both its wings outstretched, it looked as though it had hung itself out to dry, and perhaps it had, possibly after a bath. It dd look wet.

North shore
Pale-bellied Brent goose 19. I checked the skear corner from the promenade at low water, there was no sign of them then. A second check at 14:10 (2.5hr before high water) from Knowlys Rd, saw 14 making their way to the rocks out from the play area.
19 were seen later, but not sure yet who the observer was.

South shore (MD)
My daily exercise walk along the south sea wall this afternoon, didn't feel promising, but at least it was a lovely afternoon.
Wigeon 414 - 408 were moving towards Red Nab on the rising tide and a further 6 feeding around the wooden jetty.
These are just some of them around Red Nab on the way back. Many were still feeding
 among the rocks, but this bunch looked they they were getting ready to move off.

This Curlew was looking fine in the low afternoon sun


I set off in bright sunshine, the sun was setting as I reached the end of the wall, and it was almost dark when I got back to Red Nab!
As expected there was very little to see, except the Wigeon. But it was a beautiful, albeit brief, sunset!