Thursday, October 10, 2013

The North Wind Doth Blow...

Last night the wind was a banging NNW, maybe a force 7. It gradually swung up to a direct northerly, the first we have had this autumn.

Not wishing to miss out on some good conditions, this morning I headed to the north end of the patch at Craster to do some seawatching from the car before work. There has been little opportunity for this, one of my favourite birding pastimes, this autumn.

In a buffeted 40 minutes I managed two patch year ticks - 3 Velvet Scoters and 4 Barnacle Geese plus 1 Sooty Shearwater, 2 Goldeneye, 3 Red throated Divers, 2 Purple Sandpipers amongst commoner species. I think it is still a bit too rough for a good passage, so maybe tomorrow will be better?

With the wind staying in the north east / eastern quarter until Monday at least, we might get a few more patch additions yet...I've already booked that day off work...




4 comments:

Lou Mary said...

I'd love to see divers and shearwaters on my way to work! I think your sketches/watercolours are so beautiful!

Stewart said...

Hi Lou Mary,
Thank you for the comment,I dont get too many these days, my blogging has been a bit sporadic of late. Yes I am lucky, I live only 300 mtrs from the sea, and can walk to see the seabirds if I like.
I'm glad you like my pictures.

Best Wishes, Stewart...

Anonymous said...

Some nice species there, Stewart. The weather today (Friday) resulted in 14 Gannets (including a group of 12 birds) inland, over Barnsley. Needless to say....i was at the other end of South Yorkshire at the time.

Stewart said...

Unlucky Dean, keep an eye open...