Thanks to Keith Russell who sent me a few shots yesterday - including this Pinkie with Greylags, almost certainly an oversummering bird, but the real deal should be winging their way down to iceland now that the wind has dropped off - first lot should be touching down any time soon.
"Spent some time at Nels this afternoon. In flew a group of Greylags together with a Pink Foot ( see pic ). It was flying and so isn't currently injured BUT I presume it will be one left behind from last year and not a new arrival ?? Or ( hope against hope) do they occasionally turn up on their own when migrating?" say Keith.
He continues: Many thanks for introducing me to the art of seawatching on Friday. The sea may have been quiet but I feel you taught me a lot in terms of how to approach things. As I mentioned I managed a couple of distant shots of the Phalarope at Martin Mere. I'm sure there are lots of better pics of it by now but just in case they're of any use to you I've attached my attempts.
"I've put all my other pics together on a website www.krbirdphotography.co.uk it doesn't amount to much yet but my plan is for it to grow as I get more into birding and get to see more species".
Personally I got 30 minutes or so seawatching over the pitifully low high tide last night off Ainsdale, with no great success.
With the distance away from the tideline, I used the tired and decidedly unsuccessful formula of setting my scope up on the back of the Land Rover - it means you get closer tot he water, but lose a great deal of range.
That said, 3 Kittiwakes, 7 Manxies, 2 Gannets and 9 Common Scoter seemed a reasonable payback.
Whimbrel heading south earlier, and the second dead Grey Seal pup in as many days (isn't this a bit early for them?)
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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En route to France called in to Farmoor reservoir were I was lucky enough to see Black, White winged Black and American Black Tern in the same scope view, The American Black was a very nice bird and a lot darker than the eurasian one. Also at this site there was a lot of Yellow Wagtails.
I've got a nettle patch in my back garden here in Liverpool and this year, for the first time, I chopped two thirds of it to the ground in late June in order to attract egg laying Red Admirals. I searched for caterpillars this weekend and found 12 in different instars, with all but one on the fresh growth, so the method appears to work.
At 5pm this evening just before the rain, several waves of twittering Swallows and House Martins flew south over the garden together with a lone Swift.
Colour ringed Lapwing yesterday from Nels hide Marshside RSPB.
Left tibia green, left tarsus red over yellow.
Right tibia red, right tarsus metal over red.
Rings difficult to see, had to replay video tape "zoom/slow/pause".
Bird was with about 50 others. had a slight limp, rings were "mobile" at least tarsus ones. Did not see if "foot paddled" when seeking prey.
Place otherwise dead. No mud just some large puddles with clear (rain) water in them. Soil invertebrates must presumably be inactive. Half a dozen Redshanks but these brought in and then out again by tide/wind. A flock of about 30 Goldies high over didn't land. A few Curlews inc juvs out towards golf course. Windy!!
Ron
John, my mate Steve Gregory had some Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell and Painted Ladies in his back garden yesterday. All he has growing is the butterfly bush and nettles!! Robin.
Shaping up for some nice seawatching weather on our coast right through to the weekend, if you don't mind the occasional rain-squall. By Saturday we may begin to see some Leach's Storm Petrels, if the wind holds. I hope to be on Formby Point tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday. Any volunteers to cover Thursday/Friday?
You ain't wrong Bazzo! Anyone new to seawatching should check out the weather link on the blog - you can't miss it - it's called "WEATHER", if the forecast runs true, all my lunch breaks will be geared round high tide for the next week!
Seawatching rocks!
PS - Don't forget to check the tide times too!