Thursday 19 November 2015

Belated WeBs count visits to Cosheston Pill and Pembroke Millpond

Although the weather was quite dull and drizzly, visits were made this afternoon to count waterfowl at Cosheston Pill and Pembroke Millpond. We were away at the weekend so it wasn't possible to do the counts then.

At Cosheston, the number of black-tailed godwits (46) present today was about half the total counted there a month ago. Dunlin numbers were up to 50+ and single bar-tailed godwit and greenshank were amongst other waders and waterfowl present. No teal were seen today, nor at Pembroke Millpond where numbers of waterfowl were generally quite small.

The scaup was still there and 15+ little grebes were also on the middle pond, several trilling and displaying during the drizzle.

With dark, heavy clouds and drizzle, the light was too poor for photography really - hence 1/30th second shutter speed
At least two black redstarts were also seen. One on walls near Barnard's Tower, and one near the Castle. A couple of chiffchaffs were feeding in sheltered woodland near the railway embankment and a single male blackcap was feeding along-side the town wall area - noted when it called at dusk.