Nov 5, the final blast
No not fireworks,but a great day watching seabirds and probably the last time this year for a Seawatch.
With a strong Northerly blow a few of us gathered at the seahide in the hope of some action we were not disappointed as it was obvious Little Auks were on the move. These High Arctic relatives of Puffins can pass in surprisingly large numbers in strong gales but usually disappear after the winds drop.
The size of Starlings they wizz by at high speed heading back North.
Photo by one of us yesterday.
One i took from a harbour swimming underwater.
This buoy is a nautical mile out to sea and that is the distance most of our observations are made it takes years to become familiar with the different characteristics of the species for Identification.
A few unusual birds on the sea included Female Pochard,
Goosander.
And Great-crested grebe.
Photos are from my library of bird images, as it would be impossible to take these at the distance we were viewing.
As the day wore on more and more species were added to the total, the highlight being a fly-by Grey Phalarope, rare visitor.
Photo by a Kelling birder.
With the light going and the moon rising as the causeway cleared we headed home cold but happy, but a final surprise was in store with a Snow Bunting fresh in on the prom and grabbing a quick feed before going to roost on the wetland.
The Island.
Snow Bunting.
So thats it for the year, unless we have a last hurrah, i will miss the company and banter we have at this time of year, a possible trip to Mersehead maybe later this month. Seriously missing my camera so probably back to drawing in the next few months. I wont miss the pain i suffer from these long days out, but are still worth suffering to see these great natural history moments.