Sunday, September 02, 2007

Lumpyheed 3.

Today dawned overcast with a strong blustery W6 carrying some rain. By mid afternoon, the wind had dropped right off and the skies were clear making it a very pleasant evening.

Boulmer 0700 -

Only a short visit before heading down the coast for a chat with the lads. High Tide. Very little of note as a result of the weather probably. 7 Common Terns flew S, 1 ad male Sparrowhawk, 3 Herons, 3 Grey Partridge, 2 Yellowhammer and the first Goldcrest of the autumn.


Cresswell Pond 08.30 -

On the approach to the hide a Stoat jumped across the track into a clump of Tansy. I squeaked at it thorugh my fingers and it approached down to only a few feet, before realising its mistake.

For the first 45 minutes I was in the hide, an Otter showed well feeding constantly on unseen items in various spots around the pond. It eventually swam right up the hide and disappeared into the reeds.

2 Greenshank, 8 Black tailed Godwits, 2 Snipe, 1 Merlin hunting, 1 Swift overhead, 17+ Stock Doves and an assortment of common wildfowl.

Boulmer 18.00 - 19.00 -

High Tide again but now feels like a different day! Weather much better.

Jane and myself were out with Bunty around the Seaton Point when I noticed a tremendous Great Northern Diver on the sea only a few yards from the beach, giving fantastic views. As is typical I had no camera with me. After our walk I took Jane and Bunts back home then returned 'armed' hoping for some frame -fillers. Unfortunately the diver had swam a good way offshore to feed, but I still got some reasonable record shots.

Also here, 1 ad and 1 juv Roseate Tern, first located by the spotshank-like call, 1 pale phase adult Arctic Skua was flying about offshore. 51 Turnstones and 70 Dunlin were pushed closer by the tide.

All in all, not a bad day.

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