The Safari was out on a slightly longer than of late patch 1 walk this morning. We noted one Peregrine on the tower. A second came in and landed a little round the corner, the first set off calling like billy-o and sent it packing. Later, on the return leg we say one feeding away on the large rim. The second came in from the east right over Base Camp carring a very heavy load; a trail of gulls followed it all the way to the ledge. A great set of sightings before breakfast. On the way out to work we could still hear them shrieking at each other.
Our short lunchtime National Whale and Dolphin Watch had us narrowly missing a skua, probably an Arctic Skua, which the youngsters found while we were finishing off the last of our butties in the office. We also missed a couple of dozen Manx Shearwaters, although we spotted one for ourselves. with all these good seabirds about you can probably guess the weather was u/s for cetaccean watching.
A white ''plastic bag' lying on the beach looked wrong so we sent the lads to investigate - a dead juvenile Kittiwake was the end result.
Our short lunchtime National Whale and Dolphin Watch had us narrowly missing a skua, probably an Arctic Skua, which the youngsters found while we were finishing off the last of our butties in the office. We also missed a couple of dozen Manx Shearwaters, although we spotted one for ourselves. with all these good seabirds about you can probably guess the weather was u/s for cetaccean watching.
A white ''plastic bag' lying on the beach looked wrong so we sent the lads to investigate - a dead juvenile Kittiwake was the end result.
After the watch we had a group of children to keep entertained with pots and nets down there. Again the usual suspects came to the trays. One we've not seen for a while is Iceland Cyprine probably washed in on the recent stormy weather. each ring represents a year's growth, this one is well older than we are.
Somewhat strangely several unknown species were discovered. Enough to keep our marine biologist friend LB busy for a few minutes.
Worm 1...is? Looks like it's got eyes - if that's the front???
Worm 2 anyone...perhaps Green Leaf Worm?
And this one is...a Sponge or someone's eggs?
We spotted a Tower Shell, the only one we saw all day and when we reached down to pick it up it tried to scuttle away...a tiny little Hermit Crab...watch him scurry.
Where to next? Yet more watching a cetacean free raging sea (actually it's not cetacean free - we just can't spot them) and then we'll be back on the beach with pots and nets.
In the meantime let us know how easy it is to find the cetaceans in your outback.
In the meantime let us know how easy it is to find the cetaceans in your outback.
3 comments:
Love the Hermit Crab dave, I've never seen one of those.
I'd say they're both rag-worms, albeit little uns. The blobby thing has me stumped though!
Thanks Laurence - I've added your blog to the Liverpool Bay list.
Cheers
D
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