The Wind in a Frolic

14:00 Sunny 8 o C. Wind NW 17mph. Humidity 79%. Pressure 1015mB. Visibility good. High tide today 17:48, 7.34m.



Awoke to grey. gloom and rain this morning, but brightened up to a sunny day. The wind is fierce and cool, though.

The Iceland gull is still around, along with the usual Black Headed, Black Backed, Herring and a few Common. The Black Headed are easily the most numerous here, most still in 'winter' plumage at the moment though a few have the chocolate-brown head of the breeding plumage. Just 2 swans in sight today near The Green Frog, one adult and the youngster. A lot of cormorants in the dock today, must be rough out to sea.

In the Albert Edward dock

Black Headed gull x 100
Black Backed gull x 40
Herring gull x 20
Common gull x 5
Cormorant x 20
Coot x 10
Mallard x 5
Swan x 2

Spring is Sprung ......

15:00 Sunny 14 o C. Wind SSW 6mph. Humidity 66%. Pressure 1020mB. Visibility good. High tide today 15:32, 8.62m.

It's been a lovely afternoon here, sunny and mild. There are three swans in the dock basin at the moment, one is certainly a youngster from its plumage, but the other two appear mature, so may be the pair that nested here last year.




In the dock basin
Dock gates closed

Black headed gull x 50
Mallard x 2
Mute swan x 3

Trainspotting

I have had to forego my regular walks over the last few months. mainly due to health issues. The garden birdlife has kept me entertained meanwhile, and today I have been able to get out for a short walk and take a look at some of the engines taking part in the Steam Gala.

The following photos are of the NCB loco Linda, plus a couple of her fans

Tuesday 11 January 2011

A pleasant afternoon, with a chill bite to it. There seem to be a lot of cormorants up in the Albert Edward dock today, both adult swans are still around though the youngsters weren't in sight. The dock gates are open and the Ocean Conquest looks like she's getting ready to leave, waiting for the lock gates.

At long last it looks like someone has started work on the fire-damaged Ocean Quest. The graffiti has been removed, the windows covered and she is sitting straighter in the water.