Year List Update

Today, I had a Bird & Seal Watch at the Teesmouth Field Centre and then in the afternoon I did a Disturbance Survey at Seaton Snook.

Seal Sands was beautiful today in the winter sunshine. Although it isn't the best conditions for birdwatching however, in the hazy weak sunlight the mudflats looked good. 15 Common Seals and 7 Grey Seals were present during low tide. We were very lucky to see a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers resting and preening at the waters edge quite close to the hide. Through the telescope the plumage of the male bird was stunning. As we discussed the birds, a peregrine flew past closeby after changing direction due to our presence.

The afternoon survey was equally good despite the feeling the cold as we stood watching the interaction of people and birds. The incoming tide pushed the birds higher up the beach until a close knit group of about 400 individuals were left to grab valuable minutes of rest as the water swept up the foreshore. The afternoon highlight was a flock of about 40 Snow Buntings and about 20 Bar-tailed Godwit with a slight hint of breeding colouration to their plumage.

2013 Bird Year List = 55 (Moorhen, Pied Wagtail, Greylag Goose, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Redshank, Bar-tailed Godwit, Snow Bunting, Knot, Sanderling, Shelduck, Great Tit, Reed Bunting, Peregrine, Stonechat, Wren & Reed Bunting)
2013 Mammal Year List = 4 (Common Seal, Grey Seal & Rabbit)
2013 Butterfly Year List = 0
2013 Moth Year List = 0