Made my first venture out on Sunday, into the pandemic wracked world of 2021. A walk in pleasant sun along the promenade with KT, from Sandylands to Half Moon Bay and return, to have two enjoyable birding experiences along the way.
At least 2,000 Knot had assembled on the beach by the Sunny Slopes groyne.
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It was an absolute delight watching these birds, the pleasure only dampened by someone with a large black unleashed mutt, both charging across the beach to the groyne to disturb every bird in sight. What annoyed me most about this unacceptable behaviour, was the fact his attitude was that it was always his intention to set the mutt off ahead of him to put the birds to flight and ruin everyone's enjoyment of the spectacle being observed by a small group of people.
Edit.
If you have already read this post, you will see that I have edited it to remove some unacceptable language used in my account of this appalling act of disturbance of birds in Morecambe Bay.
But I found a little relaxation at Half Moon Bay, with a view of the Lakeland mountains across Morecambe Bay.
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On the return leg I found a Black-headed Gull in an inland field off the promenade.
Black-headed Gull Heysham 3 January 2021. Pete Woodruff.
The bird was ringed A690 in Germany in March 2013, it had been previously seen six times at Heysham.
11.08.2018 GB - Lancashire, Heysham 54 2 N -2 55 E Farbring abgelesen Marsh, P.
31.12.2019 GB - Lancashire, Heysham 54 2 N -2 55 E Farbring abgelesen MCClelland, G.
29.01.2020 GB - Lancashire, Heysham 54 2 N -2 55 E Farbring abgelesen Downham, M.
05.02.2020 GB - Lancashire, Heysham 54 2 N -2 55 E Farbring abgelesen Downham, M.
12.02.2020 GB - Lancashire, Heysham 54 2 N -2 55 E Farbring abgelesen Downham, M.
12.11.2020 GB - Lancashire, Heysham 54 2 N -2 55 E Farbring abgelesen Downham, M.
03.01.2021 GB - Lancashire, Heysham 54 2 N -2 55 E Farbring abgelesen Woodruff, P.
I'm grateful for the help of Sönke Martens with historic details for this bird.
That Knot video is astounding, Pete, particularly the last section where they take to the air and settle again. Also enjoyed the tranquility of Half Moon Bay. Your black and white header is serving as a reminder to me to give B&W a try.
ReplyDeleteSo pleased to know that you are getting out still - take great care - - - Richard