9th May 2019 – overcast/rain NE3/4
Offshore
An early morning check of the sea at low tide (0630-0730) produced 480 Sandwich Tern, 55 Gannet, 14 Common Scoter, 10 Manx Shearwater, 9 Arctic Tern, 3 Guillemot and 3 Red-breasted Merganser. Later observations on the flooding tide produced at least 10 Velvet Scoter and a drake Scaup amongst a huge flock of 6000 Common Scoter congregated in the mouth of Morecambe Bay. Also seen were 40 Sandwich Tern, 7 Little Tern and 3 Arctic Tern.
Grounded Migrants
The male Firecrest continues to hold territory in the observatory garden while grounded birds included 5 Wheatear, 4 Willow Warbler, 3 White Wagtail and single Yellow Wagtail, Spotted Flycatcher, Whinchat and Tree Pipit.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 20 Whimbrel and a Common Sandpiper.
Mammals
The early morning seawatch was firstly interrupted by a Harbour Porpoise and later by a pod of 8 Bottle-nosed Dolphin.
