Seawatching at last!

With a strengthening northerly wind this morning there was only one thing to do - Seawatch.



Viewing from Cullernose Point from 0730 - 0830 I had -

Manx Shearwater 105 N
Sooty Shearwater 3 N its always good to get the first ones of the year...
Red throated Diver 2 N
Wigeon 9 N
Common Scoter 5 N
Teal 9 N
Shelduck 3 N
Bonxie 1 N
Gannet 3000+ N at about 50+ per minute. And unusually, I could hear these birds calling to each other, honking and crowing a bit like like a goose. I cant recall ever hearing Gannets calling ...

Then I had 2 hours from 3 - 5pm. Although the wind was stronger most passage had died off -

Pale bellied Brent Geese 29 N
Dark bellied Brent 1 N
Common Scoter 2 N
Shag 5 N
Lesser black backed Gull 9 N
Bonxie 4 N
Manx Shearwater 15 N
Sandwich Tern 5
Golden Plover 2 N
Auks in good numbers including a few juvvy Puffins, looking very small....

In between these watches I met up with Gail from Lesbury who was interested in learning more about birding the area. Although it was quiet we did manage to see 22 Grey Plover and 9+ Bar tailed Godwits at Seaton Point.

Back home we had some unusual visitors to some fruit left out for the birds...




Above - Firstly this Bank Vole was hyper running in and out between snacks, followed by 2 of these -


Baby Long tailed Field Mice! Tiny, no bigger than a strawberry, they allowed approach down to 4 feet.







I hope the Magpies dont see them....