11:30 Light showers 8 o C. Wind SSW 9mph. Humidity 82%. Pressure 992mB. Visibility moderate. High tide today 13:55, 8.09m.
Lock gates closed
The weather has turned much cooler in the last few days.
35 black-headed gulls in the dock basin, a further 5 performing aerobatics, circling and swooping down over the water surface. The female black-headed gulls migrate to Spain in winter, and the males can get quite lively left to their own devices.
In the garden
Goldfinch x 2
Blue tit x 2
Great tit x 1
Dunnock x 1
Chaffinch x 1
A beautiful mature male chaffinch, showing off the colours of his plumage to perfection.
The garden feeders attract many small birds. It is important to keep feeding the birds regularly in winter. There is much less food, such as insects or berries, available for them and they will have become used to visiting the garden feeders.
Showing posts with label birds. Show all posts
Showing posts with label birds. Show all posts
Saturday, 7 November 2009
Wednesday, 4 November 2009
Wednesday 4 November 2009
14:00 Showers 10 o C. Wind SSW 9mph. Humidity 89%. Pressure 981mB. Visibility moderate. High tide today 12:44, 9.37m.
Lock gates closed
November has started with sunshine and showers, mostly showers today and much cooler.
20 black-headed gulls in the dock basin, 10 sat along the top of the dock gate.
2 cormorants passing overhead.
The garden feeders are attracting a mix of blue tit, great tit, goldfinch. greenfinch, sparrow, starling and wood pigeon, with occasional magpie.
I'm hoping my elephant hawk moth caterpillars will survive and pupate.
Lock gates closed
November has started with sunshine and showers, mostly showers today and much cooler.
20 black-headed gulls in the dock basin, 10 sat along the top of the dock gate.
2 cormorants passing overhead.
The garden feeders are attracting a mix of blue tit, great tit, goldfinch. greenfinch, sparrow, starling and wood pigeon, with occasional magpie.
I'm hoping my elephant hawk moth caterpillars will survive and pupate.
Saturday, 31 October 2009
Saturday 31 October 2009
Samhain
15:30 Sunny 16 o C. Wind SW 9mph. Humidity 79%. Pressure 1018mB. Visibility good. High tide today 21:34, 8.74m.
Lock gates closed
A mild autumn day for Halloween, and a promise of clear skies later.
Around 12 black-headed gulls in the dock basin.
10 black-headed gulls and 3 cormorants passing overhead.
15:30 Sunny 16 o C. Wind SW 9mph. Humidity 79%. Pressure 1018mB. Visibility good. High tide today 21:34, 8.74m.
Lock gates closed
A mild autumn day for Halloween, and a promise of clear skies later.
Around 12 black-headed gulls in the dock basin.
10 black-headed gulls and 3 cormorants passing overhead.
Friday, 30 October 2009
Friday 30 October 2009
16:00 Cloud 15 o C. Wind SSE 16mph. Humidity 70%. Pressure 1017mB. Visibility moderate. High tide today 20:55, 8.35m.
A much greyer day, the water in the dock quite choppy, occasional spots of rain.
Albert Edward Dock
Mute Swan x 2
Black-headed gull x 50
Lesser black-backed gull x 1
Mallard x 20
Coot x 12
A much greyer day, the water in the dock quite choppy, occasional spots of rain.
Albert Edward Dock
Mute Swan x 2
Black-headed gull x 50
Lesser black-backed gull x 1
Mallard x 20
Coot x 12
Thursday, 29 October 2009
Thursday 29 October 2009
14:00 Sunny intervals 16 o C. Wind SE 10mph. Humidity 89%. Pressure 1020mB. Visibility moderate. High tide today 20:10, 7.91m.
Lock gates closed
A pleasant autumn day, still some colour on the trees although the weekend's gales stripped many of the leaves.
4 black-headed gulls in the dock basin, 10 sat on top of the dock gates.
Around 100 gulls on the sandbanks in the river, mainly black-headed with a few lesser black backs.
Lock gates closed
A pleasant autumn day, still some colour on the trees although the weekend's gales stripped many of the leaves.
4 black-headed gulls in the dock basin, 10 sat on top of the dock gates.
Around 100 gulls on the sandbanks in the river, mainly black-headed with a few lesser black backs.
Friday, 18 September 2009
Friday 18 September 2009
15:30 Sunny intervals 17 o C. Wind S 6mph. Humidity 62%. Pressure 1017mB. Visibility good. High tide today 23:47, 9.87m.
Lock gates closed.
After a chill grey morning the sun has finally broken through.
Both swans, several mallards and coots, plus the usual mix of black-headed, herring and lesser black-backed gulls are sunning themselves on the pontoons in the Albert Edward dock.
The dock basin is almost deserted.
Black-headed gull x 4
Coot x 3
Lock gates closed.
After a chill grey morning the sun has finally broken through.
Both swans, several mallards and coots, plus the usual mix of black-headed, herring and lesser black-backed gulls are sunning themselves on the pontoons in the Albert Edward dock.
The dock basin is almost deserted.
Black-headed gull x 4
Coot x 3
Tuesday, 15 September 2009
Tuesday 15 September 2009
14:00 Sunny intervals 17 o C. Wind NE 8mph. Humidity 57%. Pressure 1027mB. Visibility very good. High tide today 21:38, 8.32m.
The east wind feels somewhat chilly, but still a pleasant dry Autumn day with plenty of sunny intervals.
Lock gates closed.
In the dock basin
Black-headed gull x 15
Coot x 2
Mallard x 11
Cormorant x 1
Moorhen x 2
The east wind feels somewhat chilly, but still a pleasant dry Autumn day with plenty of sunny intervals.
Lock gates closed.
In the dock basin
Black-headed gull x 15
Coot x 2
Mallard x 11
Cormorant x 1
Moorhen x 2
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
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
Thursday, 3 September 2009
Thursday 3 September 2009
Albert Edward dock
14:30 Cloud, heavy showers 12 o C. Wind W 20mph. Humidity 87%. Pressure 995mB. Visibility poor. High tide today 23:46, 8.97m.
What a wild and windy day, very choppy water in the dock. The cormorants are having problems getting airborne.
I haven't seen the terns for a few days so decided to take a look at the hest. Quite a bit of the nesting material is gone and no sign of any terns. They usually fledge at around 4 weeks, so am hoping they have simply moved on.
Mute swan x 2
Cormorant x 10
Coot x 5
Mallard x 20
Black-headed gull x 50
Herring gull x 5
Lesser black-backed gull x 5
14:30 Cloud, heavy showers 12 o C. Wind W 20mph. Humidity 87%. Pressure 995mB. Visibility poor. High tide today 23:46, 8.97m.
What a wild and windy day, very choppy water in the dock. The cormorants are having problems getting airborne.
I haven't seen the terns for a few days so decided to take a look at the hest. Quite a bit of the nesting material is gone and no sign of any terns. They usually fledge at around 4 weeks, so am hoping they have simply moved on.
Mute swan x 2
Cormorant x 10
Coot x 5
Mallard x 20
Black-headed gull x 50
Herring gull x 5
Lesser black-backed gull x 5
Tuesday, 1 September 2009
Tuesday 1 September 2009
Preston Marina
14:30 Heavy showers, 16 o C. Wind SSW 12mph. Humidity 85%. Pressure 1000mB. Visibility good. High tide today 22:35, 8.23m.
A short walk today, rain stopped play. No people & very few birds about around the marina, guess they've been more sensible than me & kept out of the rain. The coots appeared to be sheltering under the public jetty.
Coot x 2
Cormorant x 3
Black-headed gull x 6
Common gull x 2
14:30 Heavy showers, 16 o C. Wind SSW 12mph. Humidity 85%. Pressure 1000mB. Visibility good. High tide today 22:35, 8.23m.
A short walk today, rain stopped play. No people & very few birds about around the marina, guess they've been more sensible than me & kept out of the rain. The coots appeared to be sheltering under the public jetty.
Coot x 2
Cormorant x 3
Black-headed gull x 6
Common gull 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.
Thursday, 27 August 2009
Thursday 27 August 2009
14:30 Cloud, 19 o C. Wind SW 10mph. Humidity 60%. Pressure 1010mB. Visibility very good. High tide today 16:48, 7.82m.
Lock gates closed.
Very quiet around the dock today, no trains & the showery weather seems to have kept the walkers away.
In and around the dock basin today:
Coot x 1
Mallard x 1
Cormorant x 3
Black-headed gull x 20
Lock gates closed.
Very quiet around the dock today, no trains & the showery weather seems to have kept the walkers away.
In and around the dock basin today:
Coot x 1
Mallard x 1
Cormorant x 3
Black-headed gull x 20
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
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
Tuesday 18 August 2009
14:30 Cloudy, 19 o C. Wind S 12mph. Humidity 70%. Pressure 1016mB. Visibility moderate. High tide today 22:39 8.85m.
Lock gates closed.
This clump of flowers growing on top of the gates looks like either a chamomile or Sea Mayweed, I didn't fancy getting close enough to find out.
Very quiet around the locks today. 1 lesser black-back sitting amongst the black-headed gulls,.
I haven't seen momma duck and ducklings for a couple of days, hope nothing has happened to them. The resident coot was nowhere to be seen either,
In and around the dock basin today
Black-headed gull x 40
Lesser black-backed gull x 1
Common gull x 2
Mallard x 9
Swallow x 3
Lock gates closed.
This clump of flowers growing on top of the gates looks like either a chamomile or Sea Mayweed, I didn't fancy getting close enough to find out.
Very quiet around the locks today. 1 lesser black-back sitting amongst the black-headed gulls,.
I haven't seen momma duck and ducklings for a couple of days, hope nothing has happened to them. The resident coot was nowhere to be seen either,
In and around the dock basin today
Black-headed gull x 40
Lesser black-backed gull x 1
Common gull x 2
Mallard x 9
Swallow x 3
Friday, 14 August 2009
Friday 14 August 2009
13:30 Dull and overcast, 19 o C. Wind SSW 9mph. Humidity 59%. Pressure 1013mB. Visibility moderate. High tide today 17:25 7.68m.
Lock gates closed
The water in the lock is very green today, the scum of blue-green algae looking like paint on the water surface. It seems to form on calm, sunny days and disperses when the lock gates are opened, or the wind picks up and increases the wave action. The majority of the gulls seem to be up on the Albert Edward dock, along with several cormorants, maybe they're expecting some rough weather.
The swallows are still swooping around the lock, indignantly chasing off an inquisitive magpie taking too close an interest in their nesting place.
Only black-headed gulls in the dock basin today, along with mallards and coots. Momma duck still has all 4 ducklings present and correct, on their favoured mudbank.
Swallow x 2
Magpie x 1
Mallard x 11
Coot x 1
Moorhen x 4
Black-headed gulls x 9
The juvenile moorhens were confusing, I thought at first they were juvenile coots as I have never seen moorhens there before. It doesn't seem like moorhen territory at all. This picture clearly shows the lateral line.
Lock gates closed
The water in the lock is very green today, the scum of blue-green algae looking like paint on the water surface. It seems to form on calm, sunny days and disperses when the lock gates are opened, or the wind picks up and increases the wave action. The majority of the gulls seem to be up on the Albert Edward dock, along with several cormorants, maybe they're expecting some rough weather.
The swallows are still swooping around the lock, indignantly chasing off an inquisitive magpie taking too close an interest in their nesting place.
Only black-headed gulls in the dock basin today, along with mallards and coots. Momma duck still has all 4 ducklings present and correct, on their favoured mudbank.
Swallow x 2
Magpie x 1
Mallard x 11
Coot x 1
Moorhen x 4
Black-headed gulls x 9
The juvenile moorhens were confusing, I thought at first they were juvenile coots as I have never seen moorhens there before. It doesn't seem like moorhen territory at all. This picture clearly shows the lateral line.
Thursday, 13 August 2009
Thursday 13 August 2009
Around the bullnose
13:30 Sunny intervals today, many prolonged. 18 o C. Wind W 6mph. Humidity 63%. Pressure 1019mB. Visibility very good. High tide today 14:26 8.02m. Lock gates closed.
One pair of swallows seem to be nesting in a recess in the lock wall, where the hydraulics for the gates are housed. They can be seen flitting in and out regularly. Many nest under the bridge, and don't seem at all fazed by the noise of traffic and trains passing overhead, or by the bridge opening and closing.
In the dock basin today
Mallard x 12 - Mostly sitting in the sun, momma with her 4 ducklings puddling around the mud at the riverward end today.
Coot x 2
Black-headed gulls x 20
Common gulls x 10
Herring gulls x 5
Keep watching the skies.
Looking for more ant swarms, perhaps?
Some other Docklands visitors
13:30 Sunny intervals today, many prolonged. 18 o C. Wind W 6mph. Humidity 63%. Pressure 1019mB. Visibility very good. High tide today 14:26 8.02m. Lock gates closed.
One pair of swallows seem to be nesting in a recess in the lock wall, where the hydraulics for the gates are housed. They can be seen flitting in and out regularly. Many nest under the bridge, and don't seem at all fazed by the noise of traffic and trains passing overhead, or by the bridge opening and closing.
In the dock basin todayMallard x 12 - Mostly sitting in the sun, momma with her 4 ducklings puddling around the mud at the riverward end today.
Coot x 2
Black-headed gulls x 20
Common gulls x 10
Herring gulls x 5
Keep watching the skies.
Looking for more ant swarms, perhaps?
Some other Docklands visitors
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
Wednesday 12 August 2009
Around the lock and marina
15:30 Dull with sunny intervals 18 o C. Wind W 12mph. Humidity 69%. Pressure 1018mB. Visibility good. High tide today 15:41 8.30m.
Very quiet around the marina today. A few visitors were about, photographing the steam train crossing the bridge.
One of the terns was fishing in the dock basin, and taking the catch back up to the nest.They have a very graceful flight in comparison with the gulls, almost swallow-like.
Only 3 or 4 swallows darting around the bridge today.
Mamma duck doesn't seem to keen on the coot hanging around her ducklings, or maybe she wants to keep it away from the slice of bread.
She should have kept an eye on the sneaky black-headed gull as well.
15:30 Dull with sunny intervals 18 o C. Wind W 12mph. Humidity 69%. Pressure 1018mB. Visibility good. High tide today 15:41 8.30m.
Very quiet around the marina today. A few visitors were about, photographing the steam train crossing the bridge.
One of the terns was fishing in the dock basin, and taking the catch back up to the nest.They have a very graceful flight in comparison with the gulls, almost swallow-like.Only 3 or 4 swallows darting around the bridge today.
Mamma duck doesn't seem to keen on the coot hanging around her ducklings, or maybe she wants to keep it away from the slice of bread.
She should have kept an eye on the sneaky black-headed gull as well.
Tuesday, 11 August 2009
Tuesday 11 August 2009
South side of Albert Edward dock
15:30 Grey, cloudy, occasional glimpses of blue skies, 18 o C.
Wind W 10mph. Humidity 68%. Pressure 1021mB. Visibility Very good. High tide today 15:05 8.50m.
8 mallards sat in a row along the water's edge on the slipway.
Common, herring, lesser black-backed and black-headed gulls on the pontoons, along with cormorants, pied wagtails and common terns. The gulls tend to prefer the opposite side next to the car park, probably due to its proximity to fast food outlets.
2 coots bobbing about between the pontoons.
There are at least 2 pairs of nesting terns on the dock, and at least 1 chick. It wasn't possible to see if there was a chick in the second nest.
Mallard x 8
Common Gull x 5
Herring Gull x 5
Lesser black-backed Gull x 10
Black-headed Gull x 2
Common tern x 5, 1 chick
Cormorant x 2
Pied Wagtail x 2
Coot x 1
15:30 Grey, cloudy, occasional glimpses of blue skies, 18 o C.
Wind W 10mph. Humidity 68%. Pressure 1021mB. Visibility Very good. High tide today 15:05 8.50m.
8 mallards sat in a row along the water's edge on the slipway.
Common, herring, lesser black-backed and black-headed gulls on the pontoons, along with cormorants, pied wagtails and common terns. The gulls tend to prefer the opposite side next to the car park, probably due to its proximity to fast food outlets.
2 coots bobbing about between the pontoons.
There are at least 2 pairs of nesting terns on the dock, and at least 1 chick. It wasn't possible to see if there was a chick in the second nest.
Mallard x 8
Common Gull x 5
Herring Gull x 5
Lesser black-backed Gull x 10
Black-headed Gull x 2
Common tern x 5, 1 chick
Cormorant x 2
Pied Wagtail x 2
Coot x 1
Monday, 10 August 2009
Monday 10 August 2009
A change in the weather
15:30 Drizzly, still quite warm 16 o C. Wind SW 8mph. Humidity 94%. Pressure 1012mB. Visibility Poor. High tide today 14:34 8.64m. Lock gates open.
It has been a grey, gloomy day so far. Very quiet on the dock. Half a dozen swallows flitting about the lock area, one solitary coot swimming in the dock basin. The common terns are still around, flitting about between the dock basin and Albert Edward dock. 3 gulls took a look but decided to give it a miss and headed off down river.
Swallow x 6
Coot x 1
Herring Gull x 3
Common Tern x 2
15:30 Drizzly, still quite warm 16 o C. Wind SW 8mph. Humidity 94%. Pressure 1012mB. Visibility Poor. High tide today 14:34 8.64m. Lock gates open.
It has been a grey, gloomy day so far. Very quiet on the dock. Half a dozen swallows flitting about the lock area, one solitary coot swimming in the dock basin. The common terns are still around, flitting about between the dock basin and Albert Edward dock. 3 gulls took a look but decided to give it a miss and headed off down river.
Swallow x 6
Coot x 1
Herring Gull x 3
Common Tern x 2
