Wknd 6-7 March

Along the Seton shore on Saturday, now 3 adult LBB, Lucy showing well at the fish market (above).

Flat calm sea with c. 1200 scoters spread out in Gosford Bay, the vast majority being Velvets, many in courting groups; also 55 Gannet on sea round a fishing boat off the harbour, more passing offshore, and 12 grey geese on water well offshore.

The Seton roost held an adult Med Gull, with fairly dark hood but whiteish forehead. Later heard from Keith that he'd seen both our regular red-7P8 Med and a new bird, white-3H11. The latter was ringed as a chick in Belgium on 27/5/00 as green-3CT6, and I had one previous record of presumably this bird here on 18/12/04, 5 days after a confirmed sighting at Musselburgh. Since then, further records have been from Lunan Bay (Angus), Seafield (Edinburgh) and again at Muss in Novembers 05, 06 and 07, respectively, so this is the first record here for 3 years - well done Keith! Later heard that this bird had been seen since at Beddington (Johnny Allan, 21/2/08) and the Netherlands, Belgium and France in Feb/Apr 08 and Apr/Aug 09, so quite well travelled overall (full history).


Sunday first walked out past Kilspindie at Aberlady, getting a good display from a Peregrine and my (very belated!) first Meadow Pipits of the year, coasting. A male Wigeon (pictured) sporting the prominent green eye flash that is often apparent on this species.



At Craigielaw, rather more hazy than ystdy but a nice Black-throated Diver offshore; 1190 Eider were in courting groups all over the sea; back at Wrecked Craigs, Port Seton, a further 350 Eider made the total 1540 in the Bay, the sea still well covered altogether with the continuing mass of courting scoter, 100+ Long-tailed Duck, 50+ Red-breasted Mergansers, 20+ Razorbill, several Slavonian Grebe and Red-throated Diver, 2 Red-necked Grebe off Wrecked Craigs, not to mention 4300+ gulls assembling towards dusk. Sunset over Seton harbour below.

Rise in small gulls following wk with 5.5k on 9 March and Cherry Blossom (Med red-7P8) again on the shore in pre-roost 10 March.