South shore (Malcolm)
A check from the saltmarsh to Red Nab towards morning 11:00 high water.
We are back to spring tides and the tide was covering the saltmarsh for the first time in ten days. The Sea Aster and Samphire are laden with seeds, hence the high finch numbers. These tides will remove many seeds and leave them on the strand line, but today, just as the tide reached the saltmarsh 72 Wigeon arrived and began feeding on the seeds.
Lapwing 28
Skylark 3 were lifted from the saltmarsh by the rising tide then headed SE together
Slightly surprising that there were no Snipe.
Not entirely surprising that there were no finches, I assumed that there had been a recent raptor attack (and so there had!).
Merlin 1 female/immature. I was half way along the foreshore when it flew from the rocks just in front of me. Close enough for me to be able to see that the finch it was carrying was a Linnet. It flew towards Red Nab. I suspect it continued on into the Power Station grounds as I couldn't relocate it on Red Nab.
On a normal day my camera would have been ready, but today it was safely stashed under my coat!
Kingfisher 1 flew east from Red Nab.
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| It's a terrible shot, but I had my camera "half ready" in case I had relocated the Merlin. At least it shows what to expect. Striking as a Kingfisher is, they can easily be missed when over the open sea. |
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| Wren on Red Nab |
Linnet 4 turned up on Red Nab just as I was leaving.
I couldn't resist another look this evening. It was still pouring down, but the rain is not so uncomfortable with the very light breeze.
Rock Pipit 2 on Red Nab
Wheatear 1 along the foreshore
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| One wet Wheatear |
Imperial Rd (Malcolm)
Just a quick look on my way home this morning.
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| There were 35 gulls in the field to the east....... |
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| .........every one was a Herring gull |
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| This Magpie was unhappy with where the Buzzard had chosen to rest |
Kestrel 1