Thursday, 11 June 2015

Castle Point, Aberystwyth

As I had to go into Aber today I went early and was perched on a bench at Castle Point by 7:40.
A steady stream of Manx Shearwaters, plus a few Gannets and Kittiwakes made up most of the offshore activity, though I did also pick up two parties of Common Scoter, total 23 heading south.
More unusual was a Ringed Plover on the rocks and then a Whimbrel which flew north very close inshore. 
I was about to pack up after an hour when John turned up and we then spent a pleasant hour or so chatting and watching manxies and the odd Gannet go by. 
Black-headed Gulls are scarce here on the coast in June: perhaps the ten or so which flew south were failed breeders.
Among the topics discussed was wader passage. When does spring passage end and return passage begin?
Whimbrel seen in early June, such as today's bird, are counted as spring migrants, whereas any birds in the second half of June are considered to be on return passage. 
Ah well, it all passes the time.

Harry Pepper