Mediterranean Gull and Peregrine, Lancashire

March 24, 2011:
A short visit to the north of the county taking advantage of the continued warm weather provided good views of a Mediterranean Gull amongst many Black-headed Gulls and also a Peregrine staking out its territory.





The bird was not always popular with the neighbouring Black-headed Gulls though and eventually flew away.




However, other birds kept well clear of the Peregrine especially having seen its blood-stained breast feathers.

Common autumn birds on Heysham north harbour wall

September 22 - October 19, 2010:
Passage birds and residents can be found in the north harbour wall area. At this time of year the winter-visiting Twite were still to arrive but small passage flocks of Linnets, Goldfinches and Meadow Pipits and a few Wheatears came and went whilst the semi-resident Mediterranean Gulls and Pied Wagtails lingered. When the tide was low Curlew flew out to visit the mudflats and Turnstones and Oystercatchers fed on exposed mussel beds, the latter gathering en masse when pushed back by the incoming tide. Also at this time of year with very strong westerly winds, passing Leach's Petrels can be pushed to within 200 metres of the shore and may be readily watched from here. Eight were seen to pass in a 2-hour period around mid-day on September 20.


[Linnet]


[Goldfinch]


[Meadow Pipit]


{Pied Wagtail]


[Wheatear]


[Curlew]



[Mediterranean Gull, both above]


[Turnstone]



[Oystercatchers, both above]