Saturday 22 May 2010

15:00 Sunny 25 o C. Wind W 6mph. Humidity 51%. Pressure 1028 mB. Visibility good. High tide today 18:23, 7.97m

The terns are back, standing on the pontoons. No nest building as yet. There are a few old tyres, painted in a light colour, along the pontoons where the birds are. Hopefully these will make suitable nesting site.

The swans have remained in the nest they started some weeks ago, it is now looking far more substantial.



If anybody is in need of some light exercise, there's a sponsored walk around the dock on June 6th, to raise funds for The SPACE Centre

Forms available at the SPACE centre (01772 760403) or the Marina.

Wednesday 19 May 2010

Docklands Days have been away for the past few weeks, watching marine wildlife around the Western Isles.

15:00 Grey cloud 15 o C. Wind SSW 6mph. Humidity 76%. Pressure 1028 mB. Visibility moderate. High tide today 15:01, 8.39m

Spring is well and truly sprung around the dock, the trees are looking beautiful in all their fresh greenery.

The swans are still around their nest on the pontoons near the apartments.

There are 2 families of coots nesting on the pontoons close to the Green Frog this year. It's amazing that the coot chicks manage to survive the attentions of the blackbacked gulls, but they do somehow. The nests are ingenious constructions of twigs, straw and fast food cartons, and it's quite comical watching the male presenting the female with drinking straws etc. for her approval.


2 Terns have been flying around the dock today, have not yet seen any sign of a nest.

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.