Sunday 21 February 2016

Fantastic views from the north hide this morning as the strong winds forced the birds closer to the shore as they passed. A nice passage of Gannets, numbering eight, skimmed the huge swell and headed south. So close they were barley fitting into the view of the telescope and it was even possible to see the steely blue eye ring and pale eye. Six Fulmars, 75 Guillemots, two Razorbills, three Kittiwakes and a Shag also battled southwards.

A quiet day elsewhere but the very wind battered Narrows had there usual inhabitants, 25 Curlews, 64 Oystercatchers, a lone Rock Pipit, eight Redshanks, eight Mallards and 59 Grey Seals being the notables. A pair of Stonechats, a singing Goldcrest in the observatory garden, handful of Choughs, Magpies and Carrion Crows were also seen. 

In other news a few days ago the elusive Barn Owl was seen out at night around the farm where it is now possibly residing.

A surprise Palmate Newt in an odd location was an awesome highlight towards the end of the day, the first seen this year. They technically don't hibernate but generally go undetected during the winter months, occasionally coming out from cover to forage.

A Palmate Newt rescued from a drain pipe, the lack of webbing between the toes of the hind legs indicate that this individual is a female
Gorgeous orange underbelly that both males and females possess 
Safely returned to a waterbody close by


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