As expected, the afternoon shift seawatch from the old Tobacco Dump this afternoon was one of the best I have had off the site...a constant procession of seabirds between 2pm and 4.10pm, as Bazzo, Tropical and I enjoyed the mountainous seas, when we weren't sheltering from heavy downpours.
Superb seawatching!
Luckily, the curtains of scouring windblown sand were flattened by the sharp showers and visibility was pretty damn fine, if a bit spray-heavy over the surf, making digiscoping in the Force 7 SWly impossible, as the blurry shots of Leach's here show.
Leach's Petrels were going by non-stop, but each individual was a stonker - I could never get tired of watching them.
All were heading south, and skuas were out over the swell too, including at least one, and possible two, delicate young Long Tailed Skuas.
Always a mega-bird for a Formby Pt seawatch.
Guillemots sped over the waves in a never ending procession and there were enough Kittiwakes to keep our hopes up for a Sabs - but that would have been greedy on top of the afternoon's haul.
The tally was as follows:
Leach's Petrel 113
Arctic Skua 6
Long Tailed Skua 1-2
Manx Shearwater 16
Fulmar 2
Sandwich Tern 14
Common Tern 3
Kittiwake 75
Guillemot 124
Razorbill 12
LBB 30
Gannet 4
Common Scoter 60
God knows how many Leach's were in Liverpool Bay today, it was certainly the biggest concentration that I've seen for 10 years at least, possibly more.
Nice to see a few Fulmars about too, as they seem to be getting decidedly scarce these days.
Wind is meant to drop tomorrow, but you never know, there may still be birds out there.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
- Post to:
del.icio.us
Digg
Newsvine
Nowpublic
Reddit
« Previous | Home | Next »
Not bad on Ainsdale beach too, though tide rather distant. From 15.00-17.15hrs:
Leach's Petrel 20
Guillemot 36
Manx Shearwater 2
Black Tern 1
Bonxie 1 on shore feeding on a corpse
Sandwich Tern 75 roosting
What a cracking day's seawatching! Superb numbers of Leach's.
Same storm hit west Jutland, Denmark, during the night. Migrants everywhere this morning, grounded by the gales. Pinkies started arriving here on Monday and numbers are rapidly building. Unfortunately, I'm in the office today so can't get down to the coast for a seawatch.
Seven Leach's from the relative comfort of the rocks at the south end of Crosby beach this morning.
2009 was another shocking year for the persecution of birds of prey according to the RSPBâÂÂs 20th annual Birdcrime report.
With 499 reported incidents against birds of prey in the UK, including 384 reports of shooting, trapping and poisoning, 2009 was the second worst year in the last decade. Only 2007, with 389 persecution cases, was worse.
Cumbria tops the 2009 UK league of shame jointly with North Yorkshire, with 27 incidents against birds of prey. Lancashire also fairs badly with 19 incidents, the 5th worst in England. In Cheshire there were 6 reported incidents, 4 in Greater Manchester and 3 in Merseyside.
In the report, the RSPB has identified 11 recommendations for government action, so that these appalling crimes can be eradicated.
Dr Mark Avery, the RSPBâÂÂs Conservation Director, said: âÂÂWildlife crimes are an abhorrent feature of our countryside. And for the sake of eagles, kites, harriers, buzzards, falcons and ospreys we have to take more action to consign these crimes to history. Over time egg collecting has diminished, but the killing of birds of prey is as big threat today as it was two decades ago.
âÂÂEarlier this year the former Wildlife Minister â Huw Irranca-Davies â was one of more than 210,000 people to sign a pledge to protect birds of prey. This is a powerful voice and we will not rest until their cries have been heard by government.âÂÂ
In 2009, the government announced that bird of prey persecution was one of the top wildlife crime priorities. In view of the current spending review, the RSPB is concerned that resources to tackle wildlife crime will be seen as a soft option. The RSPB wants to see: a commitment from the government to tackling these crimes; long-term funding for the National Wildlife Crime Unit; and a full wildlife crime review in England.
The conflict with land managed for the shooting of game birds remains the main problem for birds of prey, particularly the upland grouse-shooting estates in northern England and Scotland. The main birds of prey affected are: golden eagle, white-tailed eagle, hen harrier, goshawk, peregrine and red kite.
The RSPB is concerned the shooting industry appears unable to self-police and the Society believes new legislation is required to make the managers and employers of those committing these crimes legally accountable. Options such as vicarious liability â that holds these people accountable for crimes committed by their staff - and removing the shooting rights for individuals and errant estates need to be considered. These would provide a significant deterrent without imposing a burden on legitimate shooting interests.
Although crimes against birds of prey are widespread across the UK, analysis of the figures by the RSPB over the past two decades shows that certain constabulary areas are hotspots for wildlife crime.
In England, since 1990, the police forces with the highest levels of reported bird of prey persecution include:
÷North Yorkshire with 229 reported bird of prey persecution incidents;
÷Northumbria with 132 bird reported bird of prey persecution incidents;
÷Cumbria with 123 reported bird of prey persecution incidents;
Hi John, Great to see the Leach's on Ainsdale beach after work last night including one with a death wish, flying round the Bonxie while it was feeding, also had one fly within 10 feet of us. 5 Spotted Redshank and 1 Pectoral Sandpiper at Nels this morning. Off to Formby ~Point now, hope there is some more fantastic Leach's.