Saturday 8 December 2007

Field trip weather at its worst

Heysham Obs
This was fine for early morning coverage south of the harbour (thanks Malcolm) but not a lot of use for the "from 1000hrs" local RSPB/LDBWS field trip. There definitely appear to be TWO coastal Kingfisher - one in the Half Moon bay/NHW area and the other OE/Red Nab/outfalls. Yet another addition to 36V!

North harbour wall
NO Meds or Purple Sandpipers! Kingfisher on the Near Naze, then along the seawall by the sandplant entrance. Great-crested Grebe close inshore and single Meadow Pipit still on the mound

Harbour
Highlight for the RSPB trip was a juvenile Shag seen from the scenic "Gate 38" area which then swam out into the harbour and disappeared. No sign of the Guillemot. A 1st W Kittiwake was also present early morning only

Ocean Edge/Red Nab
Mute Swan on the mudflats, single Kingfisher, 90 Wigeon and a high count of 5 Red-breasted Merganser on Red Nab

Elsewhere
The Ringstones Lane male Snow Bunting was sat on top of a 'right to roam' post at c0900hrs! Great White Egret seen en route to the usual roost at Leighton Moss late afternoon (from Lilian's Hide). Huge numbers of wildfowl on Pine Lake in late afternoon MAY have included the female Ferruginous x Pochard hybrid but it was only seen briefly and distantly in terrible light