Tuesday 29 December 2020

29th December 2020

 

The weather started off wet, cold and blustery with a brisk N E wind before improving slightly after the tide. Arriving in the dark was a good time just to see the Wrens depart from their roost above the Observatory annexe as dawn broke. A short sea watch produced the expected Common Scoter but with a bonus of a fly past male Velvet Scoter that landed with the Common Scoter in the area between the green buoys. Six Red-throated Divers were recorded along with a single Great Crested Grebe. The Purple Sandpipers roosted in a slightly different place from usual keeping out of the wind but as soon as the tide dropped they flew in to feed at the north end.


 A Grey Heron sat out the tide on top of the cliffs by the Old Obs garden and good numbers of Redshank and Turnstone roosted in Niffy Bay.


Two Song Thrushes continue to everwinter on the island along with at least one Blackbird also seen.  A single Rock Pipit was also present. The female Kestrel continued to show well as she hunted for voles and was see not catch one and fly to a sheltered spot on the west side to eat it before continuing her quest for food.

 

A few Grey Plover were seen along the gutters edge and large numbers of Dunlin & Knot were seen out on the West Hoyle banks.

Photos PSW

 

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