Thursday 10 October 2013

winter wonderland.....

Leach's Petrel, 6 Sooty Shearwaters,3 Velvet Scoter and 34 Barnacle Geese passed Whitburn Obs by 09.05 this morning. A big change in the weather away from the Indian summer this morning with a massive drop in temperature and at last a nice northerly wind. I was joined by Stevie Howart, Steve Chinery, Hoggie, Walter and even the Birtley Bishop made a brief appearance. It all started with a bang but did quieten down by 9am. This is what we saw in order of appearance

Thursday 10th October 07.05-09.05 NW3-4 Cloud at first but difficult viewing later as the cloud cleared

Common Gull 5n
Eider 2n 2s
Sooty Shearwater 6n
Mallard 1n
Barnacle Goose 34n
Velvet Scoter 3n
Leach's Petrel 1n 07.10
Bonxie 1n 1s
Lapwing 6n
Manxie 7n 2s
Arctic Skua 3n 4s
Dunlin 6n
Red th Diver 7n 2s
Teal 7n 20s
Common Scoter 12n 21s
Wigeon 7n
Canada Goose 4n
Red br Merganser 2n
Brent Goose pb  2n
Purple Sandpiper 1n
Med Gull 1n adult