Friday 12 March 2010

Wknd 13-14 March

Start of the wknd with idyllic conditions along the coast, pic above from the Longniddry shore with Arthur's Seat in the distance. A smaller roost at Seton Sands saw c. 2500 small gulls on the shore, with 100 Herring Gulls and a couple of LBB in pre-roost, amongst which re-located old faithful Med Gull "Cherry Blossom", red-7P8. Still very white on forehead but no doubt soon to depart back to Poland for another breeding season. Previous last spring dates have been 6-Mar-05 (then in Poland 22-May-05), 4-Mar-07 and 15-Mar-08. Also in Poland on 16-May-04 when first ringed. All other interesting gulls apparently vanished (though a yellow-legged bird with rounded head, similar to that photo'd here last wk by Keith, reported from the Eden Estuary on Sunday).

Saturday - mainly domestic duties, but back at roost in the evening failed to find Cherry Blossom (found again on Monday so must have missed her - this therefore equals her previous latest departure date); LBB increased to 8 in pre-roost.

Sunday - apparent Whooper clear-out with a mere 12 located, pictured preening. On the other hand, Gannet numbers building rapidly, view of their Rock below from Rugged Knowes c/p at North Berwick; also shot of a Ringed Plover on the shore there.

Another ethereal sunset on Gosford Bay.

2 comments:

  1. Nice photograph and an imformative blog. Keep up the good work

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  2. Thanks Abbot, glad it's of interest even out of the area. To be honest, it's a struggle to find much of interest at present, but surely there will be more new birds arriving soon - we're due some!

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