Friday 29 March 2013

A mixed bag of quality

Heysham Obs
Two out of the three Med Gulls yesterday afternoon on the north wall - the 3CY in the middle - this was not seen (so far) today.  Thanks Janet.

A lot of effort was put in today and it wasn't too bad at a local patch level, although a fly-over Osprey might have been a deserved reward.  Thanks to Malcolm, Pete Cook and John for extra records

North wall from very early on!
Med Gull - two noisy displaying adults as per yesterday for much of the early morning but no sign of 3CY
Yellowhammer - at least one of a flock of three birds heading north was a male of this species - most unusual in spring
Sandwich Tern - one flew up the Kent channel early on (first of year)
Kittiwake - flock of 14-15 up the Kent channel early on
Red-throated Diver - flocks of 3+4 up the Kent channel early on
Teal - 4
Twite - up to 82.  11 of these flew off high to the north towards Barrow during the early morning still air and the rest were quite noisy and flighty and at one point c50 circled high in the sky over the wooden jetty.  Normally only small numbers left by now (35 caught, 3 unringed)
Rock Pipit - one
Meadow Pipit - c35 north in 3 hours
alba Wagtail - c15 north in 3 hours
Goldfinch - 5 north in 3 hours
Whooper Swan - c15 distantly to the NW early morning

Ocean Edge/Red Nab area
Bar-tailed Godwit - c2,700
Wigeon - 25
Shelduck - 74
Jack Snipe - 3 different birds ocean edge saltmarsh inner edge at high tide
Common Snipe - on with above

Middleton NR
PINTAIL - male on Tim Butler pond - a mega!  First one ever known to have landed in this area
Teal - at least 40
Tufted Duck - 15
Mute Swan - 7 (2 juv)
Mallard - 6
Coot & Moorhen - 6 each
Little Grebe - 2
Gadwall - 3
Chiffchaff - one by no swimming pond (first of year!)