Showing posts with label Dock. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dock. Show all posts
Thursday, 9 April 2015
Saturday, 28 March 2015
Saturday, 30 January 2010
Saturday 30 January 2010
16:00 Sunny 2 o C. Wind NW 6mph. Humidity 66%. Pressure 1002mB. Visibility very good High tide today 11:10, 9.59m
Dock gates closed.
It has been a beautiful, bright, still day following a frosty morning.
Just 2 cormorants and 5 mallard in the dock basin, and a trio of black-headed gulls along the top of the dock gate.
There were half-a-dozen cormorants fishing in the Ribble, which probably wouldn't prove too popular with the anglers on the bullnose.
Birds seen and heard in the woodland along the river included blackbirds, blue tits and robins. These are regular visitors to the local gardens. It's not too late to join in with the RSPB Big Garden birdwatch on January 30 and 31, it only takes an hour of your time, just click on the link for details.
Dock gates closed.
It has been a beautiful, bright, still day following a frosty morning.
Just 2 cormorants and 5 mallard in the dock basin, and a trio of black-headed gulls along the top of the dock gate.
There were half-a-dozen cormorants fishing in the Ribble, which probably wouldn't prove too popular with the anglers on the bullnose.
Birds seen and heard in the woodland along the river included blackbirds, blue tits and robins. These are regular visitors to the local gardens. It's not too late to join in with the RSPB Big Garden birdwatch on January 30 and 31, it only takes an hour of your time, just click on the link for details.
Wednesday, 28 October 2009
Wednesday 28 October 2009
14:30 cloud 15 o C. Wind SW 5mph. Humidity 83%. Pressure 1016mB. Visibility moderate. High tide today 19:14, 7.49m.
Lock gates closed
The usual assortment of gulls, coots and mallards in the Albert Edward dock, mainly on the pontoon near the car park. Probably clustered there as somebody was throwing bread out.
One cormorant remained aloof on the opposite side of the dock.
2 black-headed gulls in the dock basin, with a further 3 sat on top of the lock gate.
Around 100 geese, either Greylag or Pinkfoot, flew over in the direction of the Ribble marshes, or possibly Martin Mere.
These seemed to have come from the coast near Blackpool. I don't think they'd been in the air long, as they were still sorting themselves out and gaining height when first spotted.
We get a lot of geese pasing over here in autumn/winter, as some fly quite high identification in the air can be difficult. The Canada geese that hang around Fairhaven sometimes fly over, but at a much lower height.
Lock gates closed
The usual assortment of gulls, coots and mallards in the Albert Edward dock, mainly on the pontoon near the car park. Probably clustered there as somebody was throwing bread out.
One cormorant remained aloof on the opposite side of the dock.
2 black-headed gulls in the dock basin, with a further 3 sat on top of the lock gate.
Around 100 geese, either Greylag or Pinkfoot, flew over in the direction of the Ribble marshes, or possibly Martin Mere.
These seemed to have come from the coast near Blackpool. I don't think they'd been in the air long, as they were still sorting themselves out and gaining height when first spotted.
We get a lot of geese pasing over here in autumn/winter, as some fly quite high identification in the air can be difficult. The Canada geese that hang around Fairhaven sometimes fly over, but at a much lower height.
Sunday, 13 September 2009
Sunday 13 September 2009
16:00 Sunny 18 o C. Wind NE 9mph. Humidity 53%. Pressure 1030mB. Visibility good. High tide today 18:38, 7.44m.
Lock gates closed.
A quiet day, apart from the train enthusiasts and photographers. The boat yard is silent for once, no hammering, drilling or other signs of industry. I guess the 'summer sailors' are all but gone now until next year.
In the dock basin
Black-headed gull x 50
Coot x 2
Mallard x 9
One solitary swallow was seen flying over the river end of the dock basin, I hope it hasn't left migration too late
Lock gates closed.
A quiet day, apart from the train enthusiasts and photographers. The boat yard is silent for once, no hammering, drilling or other signs of industry. I guess the 'summer sailors' are all but gone now until next year.
In the dock basin
Black-headed gull x 50
Coot x 2
Mallard x 9
One solitary swallow was seen flying over the river end of the dock basin, I hope it hasn't left migration too late
Saturday, 12 September 2009
Saturday 12 September 2009
13:00 Sunny 18 o C. Wind NW 9mph. Humidity 55%. Pressure 1031mB. Visibility very good. High tide today 17:05, 7.68m.
Lock gates closed.
The weather remains fine, bringing the weekend visitors and train enthusiasts. It has also brought out a few butterflies enjoying the warm autumn sun.
Ribble Steam Railway are having a Gala Weekend, running engines from the museum, along with a visiting engine from the Lakeside Line in Cumbria.
In the dock basin
Black-headed gull x 40
Coot x 1
Mallard x 4
Lock gates closed.
The weather remains fine, bringing the weekend visitors and train enthusiasts. It has also brought out a few butterflies enjoying the warm autumn sun.
Ribble Steam Railway are having a Gala Weekend, running engines from the museum, along with a visiting engine from the Lakeside Line in Cumbria.
In the dock basin
Black-headed gull x 40
Coot x 1
Mallard x 4
Thursday, 10 September 2009
Thursday 10 September 2009
16:00 Sunny 19 o C. Wind NW 6mph. Humidity 56%. Pressure 1037mB. Visibility very good. High tide today 15:15, 8.52m.
Lock gates open.
Another beautiful autumn day down here, the sun has brought the bees out. There are still flowers around for them, like this patch of oxeye daisies.
In the dock basin
Black-headed gull x 30
Coot x 3
Mallard x 2
Lock gates open.
Another beautiful autumn day down here, the sun has brought the bees out. There are still flowers around for them, like this patch of oxeye daisies.
In the dock basin
Black-headed gull x 30
Coot x 3
Mallard x 2
Wednesday, 9 September 2009
Wednesday 9 September 2009
13:00 Sunny 16 o C. Wind NW 8mph. Humidity 63%. Pressure 1031mB. Visibility very good. High tide today 14:37, 8.79m.
Lock gates closed initially, just opening as I came away..
A lovely, peaceful autumn day down here, feeling cooler. Large number of black-headed gulls finding something interesting in the mud bank, both swans were feeding in the shallow channel.
In the dock basin
Black-headed gull x 80
Common Gull x 1
Coot x 3
Mute swan x 2
Lock gates closed initially, just opening as I came away..
A lovely, peaceful autumn day down here, feeling cooler. Large number of black-headed gulls finding something interesting in the mud bank, both swans were feeding in the shallow channel.
In the dock basin
Black-headed gull x 80
Common Gull x 1
Coot x 3
Mute swan x 2
Tuesday, 8 September 2009
Tuesday 8 September 2009
15:00 Cloudy 20 o C. Wind SW 18mph. Humidity 87%. Pressure 1010mB. Visibility poor. High tide today 14:04, 8.95m.
Lock gates open
Weather somewhat changeable, mostly grey cloud.
A very quiet day on the dock, children back at school & fewer walkers about. All the swallows are gone now.
Some boat movement today - one in, one out.
In the dock basin
Black-headed gull x 30
Coot x 3
Mallard x 2
Lock gates open
Weather somewhat changeable, mostly grey cloud.
A very quiet day on the dock, children back at school & fewer walkers about. All the swallows are gone now.
Some boat movement today - one in, one out.
In the dock basin
Black-headed gull x 30
Coot x 3
Mallard x 2
Monday, 7 September 2009
Monday 7 September 2009
14:30 Sunny 18 o C. Wind W 7mph. Humidity 72%. Pressure 1017mB. Visibility good. High tide today 13:34, 9.02m.
A much better day today, hope we've seen the last of Hurricane Bill.
There is a pleasant woodland walk which goes towards Lockside Road and starts alongside the railway line, near the level crossing bbehind the marina. There is a signpost on Navigation Way.
There are a great many bushes along the path bearing these white fruits, which rather resemble the polysterene balls sold by craft shops. So far I haven't been able to find out what they are. The birds don't seem to bother with them.
A much better day today, hope we've seen the last of Hurricane Bill.
There is a pleasant woodland walk which goes towards Lockside Road and starts alongside the railway line, near the level crossing bbehind the marina. There is a signpost on Navigation Way.
There are a great many bushes along the path bearing these white fruits, which rather resemble the polysterene balls sold by craft shops. So far I haven't been able to find out what they are. The birds don't seem to bother with them.
Saturday, 5 September 2009
Docklands Flora
Some of the flowers seen around the bullnose in the last couple of months.
A white Buddleia, complete with a Red Admiral showing why it's often called the butterfly bush.
The bees seem to enjoy ragwort, which can be poisonous to livestock in some circumstances, though not to humans.
Hedge Bindweed, or convolvulus,
I love the colour of this knapweed.
Pretty as it is, I don't think this one's a Riversway native.
A white Buddleia, complete with a Red Admiral showing why it's often called the butterfly bush.
The bees seem to enjoy ragwort, which can be poisonous to livestock in some circumstances, though not to humans.
Hedge Bindweed, or convolvulus,
I love the colour of this knapweed.
Pretty as it is, I don't think this one's a Riversway native.
Wednesday, 2 September 2009
Wednesday 2 September 2009
Preston Marina
14:30 Heavy showers, 16 o C. Wind SSW 10mph. Humidity 73%. Pressure 1004mB. Visibility poor. High tide today 23:13, 8.65m.
It's too wet for bird watching today, other than saying there are gulls out there. The light is too poor to see colours of feathers, legs, etc.
The gulls most often seen around here are black-headed gulls. Black-headed gulls actually have dark chocolate-brown heads which are white up the back, and in winter they have white heads. The juvenile gulls are brown and stripey, rather than grey and white. They're smaller than common or herring gulls, but you don't always have anything to compare sizes with. They have a red bill and legs.
If you see a very small gull with an all-black head it could be little gull, which is an occasional visitor. I've seen one at Leighton Moss but never around here.
If you see a gull the same size as a black-headed gull with an all-black head it could be a Mediterranean gull, which is a very rare visitor. I've never seen one of these here.
The RSPB has a handy bird identifier to help you put a name to any birds you see.
14:30 Heavy showers, 16 o C. Wind SSW 10mph. Humidity 73%. Pressure 1004mB. Visibility poor. High tide today 23:13, 8.65m.
It's too wet for bird watching today, other than saying there are gulls out there. The light is too poor to see colours of feathers, legs, etc.
The gulls most often seen around here are black-headed gulls. Black-headed gulls actually have dark chocolate-brown heads which are white up the back, and in winter they have white heads. The juvenile gulls are brown and stripey, rather than grey and white. They're smaller than common or herring gulls, but you don't always have anything to compare sizes with. They have a red bill and legs.
If you see a very small gull with an all-black head it could be little gull, which is an occasional visitor. I've seen one at Leighton Moss but never around here.
If you see a gull the same size as a black-headed gull with an all-black head it could be a Mediterranean gull, which is a very rare visitor. I've never seen one of these here.
The RSPB has a handy bird identifier to help you put a name to any birds you see.
Sunday, 30 August 2009
Sunday 30 August 2009
Dock basin and lock
13:00 White cloud, 16 o C. Wind S 10mph. Humidity 81%. Pressure 1014mB. Visibility moderate. High tide today 20:44, 7.26m.
Lock gates closed.
Very quiet down here today, just one or two walkers & nobody at work in the boatyard. It has been dull all morning, no rain so far.
I watched a cormorant fishing in the lock for 10-15 minutes. I love watching these birds, they are so quick and fluid of movement when they're fishing.
Coot x 2
Mallard x 5
Cormorant x 3
Black-headed gull x 40
Swallow x 2
13:00 White cloud, 16 o C. Wind S 10mph. Humidity 81%. Pressure 1014mB. Visibility moderate. High tide today 20:44, 7.26m.
Lock gates closed.
Very quiet down here today, just one or two walkers & nobody at work in the boatyard. It has been dull all morning, no rain so far.
I watched a cormorant fishing in the lock for 10-15 minutes. I love watching these birds, they are so quick and fluid of movement when they're fishing.
Coot x 2
Mallard x 5
Cormorant x 3
Black-headed gull x 40
Swallow x 2
Saturday, 29 August 2009
Saturday 29 August 2009
16:00 Sunny intervals & showers, 15 o C. Wind W 20mph. Humidity 66%. Pressure 1017mB. Visibility very good. High tide today 19:16, 7.07m.
Albert Edward dock.
Much cooler today, and a brisk wind. The water in the dock is quite choppy. Fortunately any showers have been very short lived. Both mute swans are up in the Albert Edward dock today near the marina, attracting admiration (and probably titbits) from the weekend visitors.
Mute swan x 2
Coot x 8
Mallard x 30
Cormorant x 7 (4 in flight)
Black-headed gull x 30
Lesser black-backed gull x 20
Herring gull x 10
Common gull x 10
Common Tern x 1
There were also around 50 - 60 assorted gulls on the water at the top end of the dock, too far away for accurate identification.
Albert Edward dock.
Much cooler today, and a brisk wind. The water in the dock is quite choppy. Fortunately any showers have been very short lived. Both mute swans are up in the Albert Edward dock today near the marina, attracting admiration (and probably titbits) from the weekend visitors.
Mute swan x 2
Coot x 8
Mallard x 30
Cormorant x 7 (4 in flight)
Black-headed gull x 30
Lesser black-backed gull x 20
Herring gull x 10
Common gull x 10
Common Tern x 1
There were also around 50 - 60 assorted gulls on the water at the top end of the dock, too far away for accurate identification.
Wednesday, 26 August 2009
Wednesday 26 August 2009
14:00 Light rain, 18 o C. Wind S 16mph. Humidity 89%. Pressure 1000mB. Visibility moderate. High tide today 16:01, 8.35m.
Lock gates open.
More showers than sunshine, it has drizzled for most of the day so far. Not too many birds about, the swans help to make the walk in the rain worthwhile.
In and around the dock basin today
Swallow x 2
Coot x 3
Mute swan x 2
Cormorant x 2
Black-headed gull x 10
Lock gates open.
More showers than sunshine, it has drizzled for most of the day so far. Not too many birds about, the swans help to make the walk in the rain worthwhile.
In and around the dock basin today
Swallow x 2
Coot x 3
Mute swan x 2
Cormorant x 2
Black-headed gull x 10
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
Tuesday 25 August 2009
15:00 Sunny intervals, 18 o C. Wind WSW 8mph. Humidity 66%. Pressure 1007mB. Visibility good. High tide today 15:21, 8.84m.
Lock gates open.
Another day of sunshine and showers, watching clouds chasing each other across the river. A lot more birdlife in and around the lock today, the tide quite noticeably lower.
I got a very close sighting of the local sparrowhawk, flying over the lock towards the woodland on the north side. The sparrowhawk is female and hunts around the local gardens. I have somewhat mixed feelings about this, she is indeed a very beautiful bird. It's sad to find the occasional pathetic little heap of feathers from a bluetit or sparrow, but she is doing what comes naturally and probably feeding a young family too.
In and around the dock basin today
Swallow x 3
Sparrowhawk x 1
Coot x 3
Cormorant x 1
Black-headed gull x 10
Mallard x 6
Lock gates open.
Another day of sunshine and showers, watching clouds chasing each other across the river. A lot more birdlife in and around the lock today, the tide quite noticeably lower.
I got a very close sighting of the local sparrowhawk, flying over the lock towards the woodland on the north side. The sparrowhawk is female and hunts around the local gardens. I have somewhat mixed feelings about this, she is indeed a very beautiful bird. It's sad to find the occasional pathetic little heap of feathers from a bluetit or sparrow, but she is doing what comes naturally and probably feeding a young family too.
In and around the dock basin todaySwallow x 3
Sparrowhawk x 1
Coot x 3
Cormorant x 1
Black-headed gull x 10
Mallard x 6
Sunday, 23 August 2009
Sunday 23 August 2009
15:30 Light Rain, 18 o C. Wind S 16mph. Humidity 76%. Pressure 1010mB. Visibility moderate. High tide today 14:05, 9.54m.
Quite a change in the weather today, very grey & damp.
There is a very autumnal feel to the day. Many of the trees and bushes are bearing fruit, in keeping with the "season of mists and mellow fruitfulness". They add welcome colour to a dull day.
We spotted this fearsome beastie in the plants along the garden pond's edge. Closer inspection revealed a few of his smaller siblings as well. It is about 6cms long, and is the caterpillar of the Elephant Hawk Moth.
Quite a change in the weather today, very grey & damp.
There is a very autumnal feel to the day. Many of the trees and bushes are bearing fruit, in keeping with the "season of mists and mellow fruitfulness". They add welcome colour to a dull day.
We spotted this fearsome beastie in the plants along the garden pond's edge. Closer inspection revealed a few of his smaller siblings as well. It is about 6cms long, and is the caterpillar of the Elephant Hawk Moth.
Saturday, 22 August 2009
Saturday 22 August 2009
15:30 Sunny, 20 o C. Wind SW 7mph. Humidity 46%. Pressure 1019mB. Visibility very good. High tide today 13:25, 9.69m.
Lock gates closed, they were preparing to open them as I headed home. There have been quite a few boats in and out today.
It has been a glorious sunny afternoon, people are taking advantage of the weather. The butterflies are also enjoying the warm sun.
The water in the river is very high today, no sand bars visible. The depth meter at the doc entrance, just outside the dock gates, is showing a depth of 8m.
Very few birds in the dock basin, around 40-50 gulls circling overhead, a mix of black-headed, common, herring and lesser black-backed.
In the dock basin today
Black-headed gull x 3
Mallard x 1
Coot x 1
Moorhen x 1
Around the lock
Swallow x 5
On the Ribble, just outside the dock gates
Mute swan x 1
Mallard x 1
Lock gates closed, they were preparing to open them as I headed home. There have been quite a few boats in and out today.
It has been a glorious sunny afternoon, people are taking advantage of the weather. The butterflies are also enjoying the warm sun.
The water in the river is very high today, no sand bars visible. The depth meter at the doc entrance, just outside the dock gates, is showing a depth of 8m.
Very few birds in the dock basin, around 40-50 gulls circling overhead, a mix of black-headed, common, herring and lesser black-backed.
In the dock basin today
Black-headed gull x 3
Mallard x 1
Coot x 1
Moorhen x 1
Around the lock
Swallow x 5
On the Ribble, just outside the dock gates
Mute swan x 1
Mallard x 1
Friday, 21 August 2009
Friday 21 August 2009
14:30 Scattered cloud, 18 o C. Wind WSW 16mph. Humidity 66%. Pressure 1017mB. Visibility poor. High tide today 24:51, 10.044m.
Lock gates closed.
Very changeable today, some strong gusts of wind from time to time, another high tide. Heavy rain forecast, sunny right now though.
Black-headed gull x 20
Mallard x 9
Coot x 2
Swallow x 5
Lock gates closed.
Very changeable today, some strong gusts of wind from time to time, another high tide. Heavy rain forecast, sunny right now though.
Black-headed gull x 20
Mallard x 9
Coot x 2
Swallow x 5
Thursday, 20 August 2009
Thursday 20 August 2009
14:30 Heavy rain showers, 17 o C. Wind SW 16mph. Humidity 81%. Pressure 1005mB. Visibility poor. High tide today 24:17, 9.84m.
Lock gates closed.
The water level in the lock and dock basin is very high today, high tide today is not until after midnight but the lunchtime tide was also pretty high at 9.42m.
There are a few fishermen on the bullnose taking advantage of the high water, watched by greedy gulls hoping for titbits.
We've had some torrential rain today, fortunately we're having a 'sunny interval' right now.
Black-headed gull x 15
Mallard x 7
Coot x 2
Moorhen x 1
Swallow x 6
Lock gates closed.
The water level in the lock and dock basin is very high today, high tide today is not until after midnight but the lunchtime tide was also pretty high at 9.42m.
There are a few fishermen on the bullnose taking advantage of the high water, watched by greedy gulls hoping for titbits.
We've had some torrential rain today, fortunately we're having a 'sunny interval' right now.
Black-headed gull x 15
Mallard x 7
Coot x 2
Moorhen x 1
Swallow x 6
