Pacific Diver at Fretherne
Sunday 22nd November 2009
The high tide at Sharpness this morning failed to produce anything of interest, but the morning was saved by a nice immature male Black Redstart around the Port Authority Office at midday. Mid afternoon I was alerted to a Pomerine Skua which had been seen at the trust, and was last seen heading towards Fretherne. I couldn't set off immediately as I had to do a bit of shopping in Tescos, but eventually headed for the river with Mark. Conditions at Fretherne were difficult, with a strong SW wind right in our faces, and an initial scan failed to turn up anything of interest. I then picked up a bird fishing on the river, clearly a Black-throated type diver. Further observation revealed the bird as the Pacific Diver seen earlier in the week. The strong wind and driving rain made viewing very difficult, and photography was not an option, but the bird definitely lacked the white flank patch of Black-throated. The bird was actively diving and feeding and after walking some distance to try and get a closer view, appeared only briefly more distant again and further downstream in the direction of Frampton breakwater. A Rock Pipit was also seen.
The high tide at Sharpness this morning failed to produce anything of interest, but the morning was saved by a nice immature male Black Redstart around the Port Authority Office at midday. Mid afternoon I was alerted to a Pomerine Skua which had been seen at the trust, and was last seen heading towards Fretherne. I couldn't set off immediately as I had to do a bit of shopping in Tescos, but eventually headed for the river with Mark. Conditions at Fretherne were difficult, with a strong SW wind right in our faces, and an initial scan failed to turn up anything of interest. I then picked up a bird fishing on the river, clearly a Black-throated type diver. Further observation revealed the bird as the Pacific Diver seen earlier in the week. The strong wind and driving rain made viewing very difficult, and photography was not an option, but the bird definitely lacked the white flank patch of Black-throated. The bird was actively diving and feeding and after walking some distance to try and get a closer view, appeared only briefly more distant again and further downstream in the direction of Frampton breakwater. A Rock Pipit was also seen.
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