My offshore patch ( 2 )

[david r]

Hi all,
Here are my latest sightings from the F.P.S.O. Uisge Gorm.

10-7-03 2 Gannets, 12 Common gulls. ( one dead Reed warbler found in the garden )
11-7-03 20 Black headed gulls.
12-7-03 1 Gannet, 4 Fulmar, 2 Kittiwakes, 1 Racing pigeon.
13-7-03 3 Kittiwakes, 9 Fulmar, 1 G.B.B.gull, 1 Black headed gull, 6 Racing pigeons ( arrived at 1300hrs )
14-7-03 1 G.B.B.gull, 1 Fulmar, 2 Racing pigeons.
15-7-03 1 G.B.B. gull, 1 Fulmar.
16-7-03 3 Lesser b.b. gulls, 1 G.B.B. gull.
17-7-03 2 Gannets, 1 Common gull, 2 Grey heron.
18-7-03 2 Grey heron, 4 Common gulls.
19-7-03 1 Racing pigeon, 6 Fulmar, 1 Common gull, 1 Gannet, ( 1 garden tiger )
20-7-03 1 Starling, 1 Song thrush, 6 Racing pigeons, 4 Common gulls, 6 Black headed gulls, 2 G.B.B.gulls, 2 Fulmar, 1 Cormorant, 1 Gannet.
21-7-03 1 Collard dove, 1 Cormorant.

Regards Dave

[IanF]

Not quite such an exotic selection as you sometimes get, but still a nice mix. I'd never thought about Heron being so far from land, but I guess they must do.

[Andrew]

Shame that the Reed Warbler was a dead one. Otherwise a steady run of birds.

[Swift]

There is something exciting about an "offshore" patch , keep posting it always makes good reading.

[Charles Harper]

Sorry, David, I still don't get the 'Racing Pigeon' gambit-- I mean, I know you all are hesitant to call any Rock Dove a naturally-occurring one.. but how do you know these aren't, and are used for racing. There are lots of feral ones that just loiter, or wander around without competing, aren't there?

[david r]

Charles,
When I call them Racing pigeons they have rings / bands on their legs. Occasionaly some of the lads catch them and ring the owner to see where the Pigeons are from, ( the last lot I remember were released at Berwick upon Tweed and were bound for the south of England, France Belgium & Holland ). One particular colleague goes out his way big time to get them back to the beach when they start to get frail.
Dave

[Michael Frankis]

Must come as a shock to the owners when they hear their bird is 500 miles off-course . . .

"Ah, you've got my missing pigeon, I was expecting it back in Portsmouth last night"

"Yep, ring XB36715."

"Where are you"

"Middle of the North Sea, half way to Norway. Want to come and collect it?"

. . . . silence . . . .

[Charles Harper]

I had no idea it was such a popular sport/hobby! Now I begin to understand the problem...

[saluki]

On the wane apparently, but still popular in the north. Just don't mention peregrines . . . or sparrowhawks . . .

saluki