Tuesday 20 February 2018

Velvet record shot time and Green pecker joins the year list

The strategy had to be to go out of the area to the Stone Jetty.  Perusal of the low tide Eiders off Heysham saw nothing in the first 400 but the 200 furthest out were very tightly packed and if it was still about, it had to be in the middle of that lot.  So it proved as it appeared about 2/3 of the way along the Eider float-in, found by Eric as he watched the flock approach the jetty, so I was primed ready with phone-scoping 'gear'.  Thanks Eric.  Feel rather ashamed though.  If I had read the late Martin Garner's excellent paper properly, I should not have been surprised by bright pink legs on an adult male

Velvet Scoter - see above




Iceland Gull - 3rd W on platforms next to the waterfall at least 0930
Chough - around the cafe area (on factory roof next door at one stage) and first field mid-pm
Med Gull - adult Knowlys road
Green Woodpecker - mobile around the gold course and Middleton western marsh

Middleton NR
Gadwall - 19


Coot - 1
Mute Swan - 6
Moorhen - 9
Mallard - 6
Pochard - 2 drake
Tufted Duck - 3
Teal - 44