Sunday 9 April 2017

That spoon that spoon that spoonbill....

Iceland Gull and 26 Whooper Swans were seen from Whitburn Obs this morning. We have a new south facing bench and it didn't take long for us to abandon the Obs on a day with rubbish light and go for the outdoors. It helped us nail House Martin and Swallow plus a few Wheatear but not the hoped for Ringo today....
Some years ago Saint Mark saw a Spoonbill from the Obs and i need it for my all time Obs list. So when news came of two Spoonbills flying North from Saltholme it was game on. I waited patiently on the new bench and picked up on a large bird heading our way but it was a Grey Heron, next time..
This is what we saw in order of appearance

Sunday 9th April 06.00-10.30 S2 0/8

Eider 7n 3s
Gannet 6n 4s
Red th Diver 3n
Sandwich Tern 3n 18s
Iceland Gull 2nd won range again
Gadwall 2n
Alba Wagtail 5s
Red br Merganser 1n
Common Scoter 32n 3s
Black h Gull 21s
Grey Heron 1n
Sand Martin 2n 10s
Shelduck 2n
Shag 2n 1s
LBBGull 1 on range
Wheatear 3or4
 Whooper Swan 26n
Swallow 1n
Yellowhammer 1 still in hedge
House Martin 1s