The wild weather continues a pace and the sea throws up a multitude of other delights for the gulls. Hundreds of gulls have descended on to Church Norton to feed upon the urchins and starfish that have washed up. For the lucky one or two gulls they have a gourmet of lobster. Although the majority of the gulls are Herring it is worth looking carefully through them as there have been nearly 400 Mediterranean Gulls among them as well as the odd Kittiwake. Out at sea things are very quiet as huge waves role over the coastal waters. With a lot of perseverance the odd Gannet or Razorbill will be seen fighting its way through the wind. The rough weather also saw the reappearance of 3 Long Tailed Duck offshore – or were they there all along hidden behind the rollers.
In the harbour many other species will look for shelter from the rough sea; Red Breasted Merganser and Goldeneye are regulars now in the harbour or on the Lagoon. Little Grebes will take shelter in the various creeks quickly disappearing when disturbed with only their heads above the water in the floating debris.
The Warden, RSPB Crook of Baldoon