Years End

 So another year draws to an end. So what was the highlights. Just a quick ramble should do the trick.

The bird I just loved was the RAVEN at South Stack. Who kept me engaged for 20 minutes. With his friends the CHOUGH. It was also really good to find a MERLIN on Carlton Marsh. The PALLID SWIFT found by Julie was also good, but distant as always for me. Just a few weeks ago picked up on two VELVET SCOTER. But can't by pass the HONEY BUZZARD that  flew South from home in the autumn

Good New Year to all.

Pathways and Ness Point

We are now in the last month of the year and where has it gone. I will not look back but look to the future as the best is yet to be.

Pathways: On my regular call in and again little of real interest but what a great place to watch our wildfowl. Still had the lone POCHARD on the lake which was more settled than last week. Again a drop off in bird numbers but still plenty of activity. Best bird for me was a KESTREL hunting beyond the bund.

Ness Point: Movement of CORMORANT all heading South with about 20 birds in all. Nothing else moving except the occasional GULL. It was good to see the TURNSTONES feeding on birds eye rubbish. About 25 birds in all and not one with a flag or ring. HERRING and GBBGulls feeding on the same. I also caught up with our local OYSTERCATCHER  who was feeding in the hard shingle under Gulliver.  It is so odd when watching them in different parts of the country as it seems in soft mud there bill is longer. Whereas like this bird a short stubby bill.