South shore
I just checked from saltmarsh to Red Nab towards morning high water (Malcolm)
Linnet 100+ on saltmarsh
Wheatear 2
Kingfisher 1 flying around Red Nab and resting briefly on several rocks.
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| Kingfisher |
Wigeon 60+ there were already 24 at the saltmarsh, 28 flew to the saltmarsh from Red Nab and at least 12 more still at Red Nab
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| Some of the Wigeon at the saltmarsh |
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| Kevin located another Fox moth caterpillar in the scrub near the lighthouse. This one showing no inclination to curl into a ball. Either this one is less timid, or, as Kevin suggests, I'm more scary! |
Heysham skear (Malcolm) 14:30 - 16:15
There were a lot of birds around today after two days of difficult feeding conditions for most of them.
Eider 23
Red-Breasted Merganser 2
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| Red-Breasted Mergansers |
Great Crested Grebe 8 - none in summer plumage
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| Great Crested Grebe |
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| Little Egret, Herring and Black-Headed gulls after shrimps |
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| Two of several Cormorants |
Shag at least 4 juveniles
There are three resting birds here and there was at least one feeding at the same time
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| They were still on the same rock later as the tide had ebbed further. They won't be there much longer........ |
Gulls c100 mainly Herring but at least 25 Black-Headed
Gulls can't help themselves calling when they find food. This Herring gull has a shore crab, at times it seems more intent on calling than having its meal. I think its mate was expecting a share.
Oystercatcher 1000+
Curlew 80
Redshank 350+
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| Redshank |
Turnstone 60
Knot 23 eventually. Initially there was just the odd one and twos, but as the group grew it attracted others. Then a Peregrine Falcon attacked. The Knot were the only waders to take flight and were not seen again.
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| That's the three Shag taking flight as the Peregrine flew past |
Carrion Crow 23 - I took a clip of this one as it was making an odd rattling call. It calls several times during this clip, and it was perfectly clear at the time. Unfortunately, wind noise almost drowns it out in the clip. You might just be able to hear it.
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| Carrion Crow |
