North beach 17:15 to dark
Many large
flocks coalesced in the sky over the sea and shore. Combined and did several
circuits of a huge area before heading north up the coast until out of sight
towards LLanon. (Est. 500+)
Some 10
minutes later, a large flock got up off the shore, where they had been unseen
and began doing circuits. These were joined by other flocks coming in directly
from the north across the sea. Again numbers got up into the 100s quickly (Est.
400+)
It was
unclear if this was a new set of Golden Plover, or some of the original flock.
Most then settled among rocks near the shore, where they were almost inpossible
to pick out in the gloomy and dark conditions.
It was
unclear as to how many were actually involved in all this and what was actually
going on. But when the flocks were up, it was certainly an impressive
sight.
The usual
female Grey Seal we often see further up, was off the seafront briefly. Head
only visible. Doing her breathing before another long dive for
seafood.
The male
Mandarin was roosting with the Mallard flock again in the sheltered harbour, on
the slipway by The Cellar Restaurant (We almost trod on him in the dark the
other night. Luckily he sleeps with one eye open!)
Redwing
passage opened for business as night fell.
Earlier near
Dihewyd some Siskins were moving over, and the Red Kites are becoming easier to
see from the kitchen window, as the recent winds rip the leaves from the big
Beech trees.
Phil Baber
& Pam Buckle