A fresh SE wind. Reasonably dry after a wet start, but with a few ill timed showers.
Imperial Rd (MD)
Buzzard 1
Kestrel 1 male
2 each, Carrion Crow, Magpie and Jay
Redwing 19
Goldfinch 12
Greenfinch 1
Teal 1
Common Snipe 1
Water Rail 1 squealing
South Shore (MD)
Glossy Ibis 1 - it had been seen a few times at the horse paddock at Middleton today, so I thought I would check if it was using the platform in the harbour for a roost again (this is where it was first seen on Christmas eve). So I went down late afternoon, it was almost dark and I was heading back along the sea wall when the gulls started alarm calling.
16:30 - The Ibis was flying high above them to the west. Unfortunately it had just started to rain, not much but enough to pack my camera away. I doubt I would have got a decent shot anyway. It was heading towards the wooden jetty so I walked back but it was too dark to pick anything out. I checked the platforms in the harbour, but it wasn't there. Presumably it had landed somewhere on the jetty, but wether it will continue to do so during the up coming storms remains to be seen.
Pale-bellied Brent Geese 51 were seen briefly by Jean and Pete at Half Moon Bay, a little later, they flew into Red Nab. Very early in the tide for them here, but it turned out that they only came for a drink and a bath in the freshwater run off. It's funny how they travel as one then bicker and spit up in to small social/family groups
Although some did split up, about 10 minutes after arriving 36 headed back to the north side.
Shelduck 10
Wigeon 250
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| Some of the Wigeon coming in |
Cormorant c70 - these are some resting on the shore.
Shag 1 probably 2 immature on the wooden jetty. |
| This is what the wooden jetty looked like when I arrived, quite dark, but you can make out the cormorants The smaller birds are Starlings, they were coming in all the time. This is only 16:10. Another 20 minutes before the Ibis arrives! |
This is just one of several lots of Starlings coming in, on calmer evenings they all murmurate together, but this evening the separate groups landed quite quickly.
Red-breasted Merganser 1 female feeding in the harbour mouth.
Grey seal 3 - 2 were feeding close in at No.2 outflow plus this one that had already caught a fish. This clip is the seaward end of No.2 outflow, but the seal had caught the fish closer to shore, I saw it making its way down the outflow (before the gulls spotted it)
