Saturday, February 17, 2007

Sheringham Bird Observatory

Sheringham Bird Observatory is my local coastal patch and has been for the past ten years. Situated between Sheringham and Weybourne the 'patch' consists of private fields, a small wood with no public access and the coastal footpath. The area is birded by a small, dedicated group, who for the most part have an enduring passion for bird migration. I have spent many a Saturday morning there (although rather sporadically of recent)and this morning, was no different.
SBO recording area looking south-east



SBO recording area looking east along coastal path


Wind Force 1-2 W-SW Bright Sunny Visibility 5km
0800-1145
It was a glorious morning weather wise being mild, almost warm, with little wind and a sea like a mill pond first thing. Birds were present in enough numbers to keep interest levels up too!

Merlin -2nd c/y Single seen on two occasions, once chasing a Skylark until it took shelter in a pill box
Ringed Plover -4
Eider- 29 east
Mediterranean Gull -ad
Little Gull- 3 (2 2nd c/y + adult type) feeding on newly ploughed fields
Stonechat- 3 Taking advantage of ploughing tractor, along with hundreds of Black-headed Gulls!
Red-throated Diver- c 70 loafing in total with 26 on sea during one 'scan'
Great Tit- One west just in from cliff top
Glaucous Gull - The first winter type seen last week was scoped from here, it was on the beach at Salthouse!

Stonechat- Another species taking advantage of Tractors ploughing
Little Gull... 2nd c/y.....
...and an adult showing the distinctive dark underwing, just!



The morning ended on a sad note however on the discovery of this Badger on the southern border of the recording area that had obviously been in a collision with a car last night or early this morning. Would have loved to seen him scampering up one of the hedges rather than like this. :(

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love your blog.

The Quacks of Life said...

I recognise that bit of land!!

Adding video. well if you go into youtube and select a video you'll see listed by the side something called embed. That is the code needed to embed the video into your blog.

So if you have video you want to show in your blog create a youtube account and then embed it.

Andy said...

Thanks for your comment Lily, its nice to have you here