The Gulls were brilliant, lots of the common species present but these 6 birds were the star attraction. The Glaucous Gulls ranged in size and shade, from a speckled white to a coffee colour, and one bird in particular was a real brut dwarfing every other large Gull there. We stood on the Quay where the fish trading units were, right in amongst the Gulls, a couple of the fishing boats came in and were throwing scraps out for them. They went mad every time, spectacular to watch and a fitting end to a brilliant day!
Two nights in Whitley Bay for the Rugby League Magic Weekend. Saturday morning walk to St Mary's Lighthouse and back plus a bit of birdwatching from the car on Friday afternoon. Amongst others :-
Common Tern Sandwich Tern Eider (1) Guillemot (1) Gannet (2) Oystercatcher Rock Pipit Sand Martin Skylark (1) Fulmar Kittiwake Grey Seal (15-20)
In Newcastle city centre itself, there are impressive numbers of Kittiwake breeding on the main Tyne Bridge and also a bridge at the bottom of Gray Street which is fairly close to the river. I was told that these Kittiwake hold the 'world record' as being breeding colonies that are the furthest away from the open sea.
David Walsh said
Sun Feb 14 12:38 AM, 2016
Saturday 13th February 2016.
Morning wander along my childhood stamping grounds, on Seaburn and Whitburn beaches, Sunderland, on a receding tide. A very enjoyable couple of hours preceded an even more enjoyable couple of hours at the football.
Small raft of Eider within 50 yards of the shore 50+ Pied Wagtail Good numbers of: Redshank Turnstone Dunlin Sanderling Oystercatcher Ringed Plover Also: Rock Pipit Meadow Pipit Goldfinch
-- Edited by David Walsh on Sunday 14th of February 2016 01:33:56 AM
Fish Quay, North Shields.
- 4 juv Glaucous Gull
- 2 juv Iceland Gull
- 7 Common Eider
- 2 Turnstone
The Gulls were brilliant, lots of the common species present but these 6 birds were the star attraction. The Glaucous Gulls ranged in size and shade, from a speckled white to a coffee colour, and one bird in particular was a real brut dwarfing every other large Gull there.
We stood on the Quay where the fish trading units were, right in amongst the Gulls, a couple of the fishing boats came in and were throwing scraps out for them. They went mad every time, spectacular to watch and a fitting end to a brilliant day!
Common Tern
Sandwich Tern
Eider (1)
Guillemot (1)
Gannet (2)
Oystercatcher
Rock Pipit
Sand Martin
Skylark (1)
Fulmar
Kittiwake
Grey Seal (15-20)
In Newcastle city centre itself, there are impressive numbers of Kittiwake breeding on the main Tyne Bridge and also a bridge at the bottom of Gray Street which is fairly close to the river. I was told that these Kittiwake hold the 'world record' as being breeding colonies that are the furthest away from the open sea.
Morning wander along my childhood stamping grounds, on Seaburn and Whitburn beaches, Sunderland, on a receding tide. A very enjoyable couple of hours preceded an even more enjoyable couple of hours at the football.
Small raft of Eider within 50 yards of the shore
50+ Pied Wagtail
Good numbers of:
Redshank
Turnstone
Dunlin
Sanderling
Oystercatcher
Ringed Plover
Also:
Rock Pipit
Meadow Pipit
Goldfinch
-- Edited by David Walsh on Sunday 14th of February 2016 01:33:56 AM