Sunday 7 August 2011

Duck broken?

The Safari had a Green Sandpiper (P1 #63) go over last night as we went to check if the Peregrine was roosting on the tower - it was.
The mothy had to be taken in after not too long as the unforecast rain came down in sheets. Totaliser in the morning reached the grand heights of three Large Yellow Underwings and a single Marbled Beauty - big wow!
At 2 o'clock we were on the cliffs on the final afternoon of the National Whale and Dolphin Watch with our fingers very crossed - while we've still got some to cross.
Very little was happening, about 300 Common Scoters were in the distance and a pair was found close behind the surf, as was a Grey Seal, right in front of us again.
Once again we were told of dead juvenile Harbour Porpoise, too far to investigate today but not the same one as yesterday as this one was apparently well decomposed - seem to be losing a lot recently - - why???
With absolutely nothing happening at sea the annual Blackpool Air Show featuring the Red Arrows was a welcome distraction.









These four were so low it looks from the pic we were flying behind them.










Have to admit despite them using enough fuel to keep the Land Rover on the road for about 100 years they are pretty impressive!
Eventually some action happened - 3 3/4 hours into the four hour watch two Oystercatchers flew past - don't think we've ever had to wait that lomg to see an Oystercatcher on this coast before - EVER! When a Common Gull went by we could hardly contain ourselves!
Add to that a tantalising glimpse of a roll from a mammal just before 'time's up'. What was it - dunno! Grey Seal or a Harbour Porpoise - the jury will be out for a long time as we just don't know - never saw whatever it was again.
Where to next? Back to the Patches and Frank may be fit enough to get round the whole of Patch 1 in the morning.
In the meantime let us know what's looping the loop in your outback.

2 comments:

Warren Baker said...

Still prefer a flypast from a hobby Davo!

Well done on your Greensand :-)

Lancashire and Lakeland Outback Adventure Wildlife Safaris said...

I'd take a Hobby over the noisy red sparrows any day of the week too.
Congrats on your Redstart too - excellent birds...

Cheers

Davo