Friday 19 October 2018

Eiders off Aberystwyth

Shortly after arriving on the prom this morning I saw a telescope poking out of a car window.  Bill Haines, a visiting birder from London, had found a little group of two immature/eclipse male Eider and two Teal on the sea, which he quickly put me on to. He had also had a Red-throated Diver.
Apart  from parties of distant auks passing, the only other real activity offshore was a southward passage of Black-headed Gulls, at least 65 during my time there.
We were joined by Helen, who saw three Dunlin fly in.  Other waders were eight each of Ringed Plover and Turnstone and a Redshank.
Other odds and ends: a Med Gull in off the sea and over the town, a Grey Seal off Castle Point and another Red-throated Diver (Helen).