Saturday 24 April 2010

15:00 Sunny 19 o C. Wind S 10mph. Humidity 32%. Pressure 1016 mB. Visibility moderate. High tide today 20:01, 8.19m

A beautiful sunny and warm day, without the north wind which has kept the temperatures low for the last week or so.

The warmer weather has also brought the swallows. There are at least 8 roosting under the bridge, although the bridge acoustics make it sound more like 80. It is fascinating to watch them swooping, wheeling and diving around the bridge supports and under the bridge. It makes you wonder how there isn't a collision when there's a flock performing what looks like synchronised aerobatics.

The trees are blossoming, and the bees and wasps are out in force in sheltered spots.



The swallow is come! The swallow is come! O, fair are the seasons, and light
Are the days that she brings, With her dusky wings, And her bosom snowy white!
(Longfellow)

Monday 12 April 2010

16:00 Sunny intervals 16 o C. Wind ENE 6mph. Humidity 65%. Pressure 1031 mB. Visibility very good. High tide today 10:01, 8.57m

Dock gates closed.

The warm, sunny weather over the last few days has brought out the bumblebees. Let's hope we don't have a cold snap, which could have an effect on insect numbers. Lack of insects can be a big problem for nesting birds feeding themselves and their growing families.



In the dock basin
Blackheaded gull x 2
Lesser black backed gull x 1
Mallard duck x 3
Shelduck x 1

The poor quality photo below is the only one I have so far managed to get of the Greater Spotted Woodpecker which is a regular visitor to the garden feeders. It's taken, somewhat hastily, through double glazing, using a compact camera with automatic flash. If I'd tried opening the patio doors Woody would have scooted off.

Saturday 27 March 2010

14:00 Sunny intervals 9 o C. Wind w 13mph. Humidity 73%. Pressure 1005 mB. Visibility very good. High tide today 21:24, 8.74m



A fresh day, with a brisk west wind. The moorhen is still around. The swans seem to be starting a nest on the pontoons, near to where the terns nested last summer.



Albert Edward Dock
Blackheaded gull x 100
Lesser black backed gull x 20
Common gull x 10
Mallard duck x 10
Cormorant x 8
Coot x 5
Moorhen x 1
Mute swan x 2

Thursday 25 March 2010

14:00 White cloud 12 o C. Wind S 13mph. Humidity 73%. Pressure 966 mB. Visibility good. High tide today 19:11, 7.55m

Quite a few cormorants on the pontoons today. A moorhen was swimming in and out of the pontoons on the south side and there was possibly another moorhen on the opposite side, near the car park. It was a little too far away to see the lateral markings clearly, & facing in the wrong direction, but could see no white markings on the face or head to suggest it was a coot.



Albert Edward Dock
Blackheaded gull x 80
Lesser black backed gull x 10
Common gull x 2
Mallard duck x 10
Cormorant x 15
Coot x 6
Moorhen x 1