Sunday 1 May 2016

May Day, Garganey Day......

Drake Garganey and a Brent Goose passed Whitburn Obs by 10 today and were a couple of birds we didn't expect this May Day. I was joined by Saint Mark, Boy Wonder and Wattsap. Lots of birds were moving and we had our biggest count of Arctic Terns so far this year but by far the star bird was called by Boy Wonder a cracking Drake Garganey. It was very close inshore giving great views as it flew south to take bird of the day
This is what we saw in order of appearance

Sunday 1st May 05.10-10.00 WSW2 full cloud cover

Common Gull 642n
Sandwich Tern 56n 157s
Red th Diver 16n 3s
Eider 7n 2s
Common Tern 2n 15s
Whimbrel 3n 1s
Gannet 84n 8s
Black h Gull 4n 3s
Common Scoter  25n 25s
Puffin 5n 2s
Arctic Tern 58n 2s
Swallow 2s
Turnstone 5n
Purple Sandpiper 1n
Red br Merganser 4n
Curlew 3n
Brent Goose 1n pb
LBBGull 5n 1s
Shag 5n
Gadwall 2n 2on sea then flew south different birds
Shelduck 1s
Garganey 1s drake 08.40
Teal 2n