A lovely sunny day enticed us down to the east side of the harbour to observe a calm sea. Many folk were out enjoying the weather and a coupe of yachts made their way out to the firth. 20 Long Tailed Ducks sat fairly close in to give good views, as did the local Eider Ducks. Strangely quiet on the waters today, with the odd Shag and Cormorant flying by. The Gannets were nowhere to be seen. The very local Redshanks and Turnstones never fail to give us something to talk about, and we shared our observations with a holiday maker standing on the other side of the harbour. There were 102 Redshank and 32 Turnstones huddled together in he central wall of the harbour. They seem to use this spot to rest while the tide is high; this seems to be a safe haven for them as it is surrounded by water on three sides and fenced off on the forth, so no folk or their dogs can disturb them.
Séamus
Showing posts with label Long Tailed Duck. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Long Tailed Duck. Show all posts
Monday, 5 April 2010
Friday, 26 March 2010
Gannets and Terns
I’m sitting in my conservatory, the door open and the sound of the Skylark resounding in the air: a real signal to what is to come. Yesterday I had reports of Sand Martins over toward Elgin and so I was prepared for the other Spring visitors will be making their way here.
That said I have just got back from the car park at the Nairn Golf Course where I spotted my first Gannets and Terns of the spring. Now, this may sound sad to some people, but I was really excited! I was admiring two enormous Greater Black Back Gulls sitting preening on the beach when I noticed a solitary Gannet in the distance. Aiming my binoculars toward it I then saw a long trail of Gannets heading East to West low over the water. Probably 40 in total. As if this wasn’t enough, two Terns flew through my vision and dived deep in search of food. They were pretty quick and I needed to grab my scope and find them again to try to identify which species of Tern: but to no avail. All I can say is they were small, had black bills and a short tail. I’d love to say they were something really exotic, but I assume they are the regulars returning.
With my excitement levels heightened I scanned the sea for other interesting beings and found 13 Long Tailed Ducks very close to shore (not uncommon here, and fairly regular over winter) and just next to the resident Eiders (15 of them). Then much further out were 20 auk like birds, black upper parts (including head) and white underneath. I did not have my scope on the tripod, so really struggled to pick them – so I have emailed friends for help!
The beach had our old friends the Oyster Catchers, Turnstones and Carrions / Hooded Crows, who can always be relied on to give the resident bird watcher at least something to get excited about. But today they paled slightly into the background as I followed the Gannets and Terns and clumsily turned pages of my books to try to identify the other rarer visitors.
More tomorrow!
Séamus
That said I have just got back from the car park at the Nairn Golf Course where I spotted my first Gannets and Terns of the spring. Now, this may sound sad to some people, but I was really excited! I was admiring two enormous Greater Black Back Gulls sitting preening on the beach when I noticed a solitary Gannet in the distance. Aiming my binoculars toward it I then saw a long trail of Gannets heading East to West low over the water. Probably 40 in total. As if this wasn’t enough, two Terns flew through my vision and dived deep in search of food. They were pretty quick and I needed to grab my scope and find them again to try to identify which species of Tern: but to no avail. All I can say is they were small, had black bills and a short tail. I’d love to say they were something really exotic, but I assume they are the regulars returning.
With my excitement levels heightened I scanned the sea for other interesting beings and found 13 Long Tailed Ducks very close to shore (not uncommon here, and fairly regular over winter) and just next to the resident Eiders (15 of them). Then much further out were 20 auk like birds, black upper parts (including head) and white underneath. I did not have my scope on the tripod, so really struggled to pick them – so I have emailed friends for help!
The beach had our old friends the Oyster Catchers, Turnstones and Carrions / Hooded Crows, who can always be relied on to give the resident bird watcher at least something to get excited about. But today they paled slightly into the background as I followed the Gannets and Terns and clumsily turned pages of my books to try to identify the other rarer visitors.
More tomorrow!
Séamus
Thursday, 4 February 2010
A much calmer day today encouraged a wee stroll along the front by the golf club. I had great views of three Long Tailed Ducks - one male really showing the whiteness of his head beautifully. 32 Scaup were close to the shore and 23 Brent Geese came into land on the beach. As always there were plenty of Eider Ducks to be seen, many flying from East to West to find a better spot!
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Long Tailed Duck
A quick picnic by the West Beach uncovered 10 Goldeneye a small distance away from the 40 Scaup. We spotted a Long Tailed Duck in the same vicinity, closer in to shore. No sign of the Red Necked Grebe.
The thaw is well and truly underway as the temperature rises, but the wind certainly knows where it is going! The Bramblings are still feeding in the trees along the Dunbar golf Course.
The thaw is well and truly underway as the temperature rises, but the wind certainly knows where it is going! The Bramblings are still feeding in the trees along the Dunbar golf Course.
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