I wasn't out too early this morning and didn't get to Rossall School until just after 6.00 a.m. It was very cold, well for May it was, and I had to don hat and gloves. Almost the first birds I had were three Swifts 'dashing' north and these would be the only Swifts of the morning. This also reminded me that I have two Swift nest boxes that I haven't put up yet!
Since I was last at the 'obs' it was obvious that a few more Whitethroats had arrived and I had 5 singing males this morning. Talking of singing males I also had two singing Sedge Warblers in the reedbed and it was fantastic watching them doing their song flight in the strong morning light.
Vis was virtually non-existent and all I had in addition to the Swifts were 8 Swallows north, 2 Linnets, 3 Meadow Pipits and a single Tree Pipit. Two Wheatears hung around the 'old' bonfire and that was it for grounded migrants. I had a look on the sea and it was quiet other than 8 Eiders and 15 Gannets. There were two Atlantic Grey Seals and one is pictured badly below!
Walking behind the sea wall towards the reedbed I had some Thrift in flower that added a bit of colour to the embankment, but not much else. As I headed back along the 'western' hedge a Sparrowhawk shot through causing everything to alarm call and that was it for my walk round the 'obs'.
Thrift
More Thrift!
I thought I would have a quick look in the cemetery; I don't know why as it had been so quiet at the 'obs'! It must have been that eternal optimism I talked about. The cemetery was deathly quiet (no pun intended) and all I had of semi-note was a singing Whitethroat. I decided not to prolong the agony and headed home early to 'bag' some brownie points for another day!
I thought I would have a quick look in the cemetery; I don't know why as it had been so quiet at the 'obs'! It must have been that eternal optimism I talked about. The cemetery was deathly quiet (no pun intended) and all I had of semi-note was a singing Whitethroat. I decided not to prolong the agony and headed home early to 'bag' some brownie points for another day!
Thanks Seumus for vindicating my decision not to do Zilch Alley this morning...woulda been a cold blank morning!
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Dave
I wish I'd made the same decision Dave!
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Seumus
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