18th and 19th June

A quiet couple of days with the weather all over the place as the 18^th was breezy and drizzly at times; there were still small numbers of Manx Shearwaters and Storm Petrels offshore from the seawatch hide while the Quail was still singing from near the airfield and a slightly unseasonal Grey Wagtail was feeding in Nouster Bay.   The Sparrowhawk was seen again and a single Golden Plover was the only returning wader of note.

Oystercatcher

                Heavy rain through the morning delayed proceedings on the 19^th somewhat but the afternoon was pleasant with the sun poking through on occasion; there was a hint of some returning ducks as counts on Hooking included 11 Shoveler, 8 Gadwall, 13 Teal and a drake Pintail while other birds included a Heron, 11 Sand Martins, a Collared Dove and a new male Sparrowhawk.   Also on Hooking at least 70 Black-headed Gull chicks were counted flying around with varying degrees of elegance and coordination.

Juvenile Black-headed Gull

1st summer Arctic Tern,   photos Simon Davies