Thursday, 19th December: A cool but bright, dry and breezy day with plenty of sunny breaks through the cloud and a blustery NW wind force 5-6/7, easing a bit later.
Elmer Rocks: Although generally quiet there was a little more than expected this morning, the best being a Great Northern Diver flying west offshore. Other seabirds logged included Red-throated Diver - 3E, Gannet - 3W, Red-breasted Merganser - 3E & 1o/s, Brent Goose - 1W and Mediterranean Gull - 4 on the beach.
The tamarisk hedges between the Kiosk and the Boat compound held two Chiffchaffs, whilst a drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker could again be heard at some distance in the woodland.
Bilsham farm: Tufted Duck numbers had increased to 19, but these apart, there was a notable decrease in the other species present, with just a single pair of Shoveler, five or six Little Grebes and 80 Coots. Gulls were fewer too, with 54 Common Gulls well down on last week's totals of 200+. Things were not helped when a Buzzard appeared and began hovering for a while low over the reservoir, in hunting mode, scattering most of the birds present!
Buzzard hunting over Bilsham reservoir; hovering over the water (above) and then moving away, having scattered everything!
Tuesday, 17th December: A dry, mild, though fairly grey and cloudy day, with a fresh SSW wind force 4-5.
Elmer Rocks: A predictably quiet morning as I walked my usual circuit, stopping occasionally to check the sea. A large flock of gulls - perhaps up to a couple of thousand - was distantly offshore apparently on a feeding frenzy and I could just make up several Gannets amongst them, whilst two further Gannets also passed east later, considerably closer. A Great Crested Grebe and two Brent Geese also flew east offshore, whilst 12 Turnstones went west close in and a couple of Oystercatchers were feeding along the beach. Six Mediterranean Gulls were also along the beach amongst other gulls.
Away from the beach it was also very quiet, the best being a Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming repeatedly, making an early start to proclaim a territory, and a single Chiffchaff in the tamarisk hedge by the Kiosk.
Gannets flying east offshore past Elmer Rocks
Mediterranean Gull (adult) along the beach at Elmer Rocks. I'm often asked by interested local non-birders about different types of 'seagulls' and I try to explain about just how attractive this species is, with its distinctive call and pristine wings with no black on the wing-tips. Hopefully these images give some idea of what I mean,
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