Friday 20 July 2012

A quick visit to patch late morning and wow what a visit. I bumped into a good friend of mine and whilst doing more chin wagging than seawatching ,he spotted a large fin just next to the yellow buoy. He said it looked like a Basking Shark and as I've never seen one I was glued to my scope. I'm glad I was as a few minuets later I spotted it  YES!! my first ever Basking Shark and on patch. GET IN.. I picked it up a few times in the general area.Whilst watching for it I also picked up a small pod (3-4)  of Dolphin SP. I'm not sure what species as seen briefly breaking the surface a few times but they seemed quiet large.
Birds noted today 3 Red Throated Divers, 2 DP Arctic Skua, 14+ Teal, 20+ Common Scoter, Gannets, Guillemots, Kittiwakes and 8 Shearwater Sp probably Manxies but due to range cant rule out other species.
Also the Common Lizard back on the bottom rung of the wooden stye next to the main carpark. It looks like this is it's favorite spot.

Friday 13 July 2012

I had a mini seawatch yesterday late morning which produced plenty of Gannets, Guillemots, 25+ Eider and a dark phase Arctic Skua9year tick). On the point a few waders had returned with 20+ Redshank, Turnstone, Golden Plovers and Lapwing noted. I picked up Arctic Tern for a patch year tick which is very late for me. I was also surprised to see the Common Lizard back in the same spot and if your interested in having a look, it's getting on the bottom rung of the 3 bar stye (near the concrete view point) which leads to the wooden viewing point. Great Shearwater reported on the east coast this morning. I wonder if it's spotted in Northumberland today??

Thursday 5 July 2012

Had a quick visit late morning and glad I did. I had my first ever UK reptile which was a Common Lizard and at patch pure magic!!! Ive seen a dead one here before but that doesn't count. Also had a Great Northern Diver fly south which was a year tick. Some butterfly's about this morning Speckled Wood, Small Tortoiseshell, Small Skippers and some Blue Tailed Damselfly's about. The Common Lizard really brightened my day..
Common Lizard



Soldier Fly

Blue Tailed Damslefly's

Robber Fly????

Small Skipper