Purple Sandpiper at Jubilee Pool
Another trip to the mainland. This time to see my girlfriend and family in Shropshire. I made good use of the two hours I had before catching the train up North. I made the short walk to Jubilee Pool to have a look at the Purple Sandpipers that there winter every year. It didn't take long to find them and with the Turnstones, 5 birds were feeding on high tide a few meters from me for nearly an hour.
What I had really come to look for was hopefully the 1st winter male SURF SCOTER in the bay that's been hanging out with the large raft of Common Scoter. However, it was last seen last day of last year. I found the Common Scoters, all females, 35-40 in total, but try as I might, I could not find the Surf Scoter. Up to 10 Razorbill, a single Guillemot, 3 Great Northern Diver and lots of Gannets and Kittiwake were in the bay. Also the odd Balearic Shearwater passed by. A local birder told me that there were 3 Eider close in shore just around the corner, but I couldn't see locate them.
Looking towards Mounts Bay from Jubilee Pool
Purple Sandpipers and Turnstones
Crazy bunch decided to go swimming. They told me that the water was 6% warmer than this time last year.
Beautiful live music by Mark Knofler 'Brothers in Arms'
Hi Spider.
ReplyDeleteI go to the Lands End area every year just after coming off The Scillies and always mean to connect with the Purple Sands in Penzance. Your pictures have made that one of my New Years Resolutions. I wonder if you could help me out, I sent some interesting pics from my week on the islands last October to Scilly-Birding thinking that they are possibly good enough for the bird report. I sent it to the email address on the site but have heard nothing since. Do you know who I should send them to.
Cheers Tony
Thanks Tony. The only other thing you can do is send them on to Bryan Thomas.
ReplyDeletebryan@pilotsgig.fsnet.co.uk
Cheers
Kris