Managed a quick seawatch off Ainsdale over the tide yesterday, before attending a surprise retirement party for Bazzo, an event which goes some way toward explaining why I'm writing this entry 24 hours late.
A good time was had by all, although Bazzo is clearly uneasy about imminent full-time birding duties...
Anyway, back to the seawatch - all very laid back, but one or two bits of interest - particularly a juv LBB which took to harrying terns offshore like a skua, then promptly had a go at a passing Arctic Skua too, which seemed hugely disrespectful.
The skua shrugged off the attack and carried on plugging south.
Obvious southerly movement of Gannets and LBBs, with over 100 Sarnie Terns fishing in the shallows.
Gannet 38
Common Scoter 50-60
Arctic Skua 1
Arctic Tern 2
Common Tern 25
Sandwich Tern 120
Kittiwake 1
First year Kittiwake was nice and autumnal, as were two Wheatears on the beach north of Cabin Hill at Formby this morning, and an arresting Barn Swallow there with a white rump, which caused a swift double-take, I can tell you, but Barn Swallow it was.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
- Post to:
del.icio.us
Digg
Newsvine
Nowpublic
Reddit
« Previous | Home | Next »
About 30+ Goldfinches in the hedges near Back Lane Bickerstaffe on Sunday. The neighbouring fields were full of skimming Swallows hoovering up the insects; far too many to count accurately. a lone Swift and a small flock of Starlings joined in the fun, too.
Red Squirrel near Lulworth Rd, Birkdale, and a Southern Hawker in my garden.