North Sea Thread (2 Viewers)

[Gander]

It has been a frustrating morning, with two wader types seen, but not seen well enough to be definitely IDed. The first was almost certainly a Curlew. The second might have been a Turnstone. Hopefully, they will reappear somewhere on the platform, and I'll get a second shot at them.

With heavy rain, and periods of fog since yesterday, it has been no surprise that we are seeing plenty of birds this morning. Good numbers of Redwing and Brambling again, but also a year first when two Chaffinch landed on a handrail within arms reach of where I was standing.
Down on the Cellar Deck, a pile of feathers with a few stripped bones told of the presence of a raptor, then a little later I spotted yet another Sparrowhawk as it harassed the Redwing flock that were circling the platform.

Only note from yesterday, after the report on Brambling, was a Cormorant turning up on the Spider Deck.

41. Chaffinch

 

[Gander]

Another bird found today, sheltering from the rain.

Second year running for Water Rail to make the year list.

42. Water Rail

 

[Gander]

A dryer, but quieter day today. A few Starling about, but the Redwing movement seems to have passed. Continued to see Chaffinch yesterday, but only one straggler this morning. I'm noticing how much stronger the colouration is on these continental Chaffinch compared to the British residents.

Another owl seen last night by several workers. One reported a Tawny, but highly unlikely, with descriptions from others indicating a default S-E Owl being more likely.

Possible Peregrine reported to me this morning, but description of bird favoured Sprawk. That said, I got a glimpse of a raptor being mobbed by gulls at distance yesterday, that did not strike me as being particularly Sprawk like.

Still no Fieldfare this season. Very unusual as they are usually intermingled with the waves of Redwing.

 

[Gander]

That is another trip over.

On Sunday, it turned out that we did have a Peregrine, as it was seen by a reliable spotter. Redwings and Starling continued to drift through in small groups, and we had another wave of Brambling on Monday morning.

Looking forward, by the time I get back out, we will be into white winged gull season. Outside of them, possibly I might get some more sea duck. Maybe some Scoters.

I have had a good autumn, but it would have had to have been brilliant to make up for the disastrous spring. I'm due a good spring, so here is looking forward to next year.

 

[Gander]

And I'm back!

Since Tuesday, I only had small numbers of GBBG and Herring Gull, along with a single Kittiwake. That was until yesterday morning when I was alerted to the presence of two ducks just off the north side. Said ducks turned out to be Eider.

 

[Gander]

Before storm Arwen hit, I received several reports, mainly from the nightshift, of a "small owl" being on the platform. I couldn't locate it myself, so I am going to assume that it was a S-E Owl. The day before the storm, sightings dried up, so hopefully it sensed something big and bad was coming our way, and got out of Dodge.

Arwen produced winds of over 100 mph for us, with huge waves pounding the platform, but at least it was short lived. The gulls moved off during the storm, but have reappeared with reinforcements. Gull count is now about 150 - 200 mixed Herring and GBBGs. Also a single Gannet seen yesterday.

 

[Richard Prior]

Small owl, November, middle of the North Sea, I know what I’d be thinking Paul😮Did any of the night shift mention it had an ‘astonished‘ stare?

 

[burnie]

I don't think anyone would describe a Shortie as small...................

 

[Gander]

I'd love to think it was something more special than a S-E Owl, but it is probably less painful for me to assume the default owl species.

As for descriptions from the non birding community onboard, some of them are just crazy. In the case of this particular owl, the same person who called it "small" also qualified that by calling it Barn Owl sized. Taking descriptions from others to ID birds, can be pretty frustrating. I have a few trusted spotters, but outside of that, descriptions are taken with a pinch of salt.

Still, I live in hope. Hawk Owl is not impossible!

 

[Farnboro John]

I'd love to think it was something more special than a S-E Owl, but it is probably less painful for me to assume the default owl species.

As for descriptions from the non birding community onboard, some of them are just crazy. In the case of this particular owl, the same person who called it "small" also qualified that by calling it Barn Owl sized. Taking descriptions from others to ID birds, can be pretty frustrating. I have a few trusted spotters, but outside of that, descriptions are taken with a pinch of salt.

Still, I live in hope. Hawk Owl is not impossible!

I think the previous poster was thinking Tengmalm's?

John

 

[Gander]

I think the previous poster was thinking Tengmalm's?

John

I'll take one of them as well please.

 

[Gander]

Just a final note on the owl sightings. Another member of the crew, last night, belatedly reported seeing the owl last week. Description was much better, especially in regards to size and colouration. I still would not list the bird as such, but S-E Owl looks almost certain.

 

[Gander]

A couple of Fulmar yesterday, were my first of the trip. The resident gull flock remains. A single Kittiwake on the wing. And today, another female Eider, or maybe it was one of last week's birds returning.

Slow going again to be honest; with no White-Winged Gulls making a showing yet.

 

[Mikewander]

Just popping in to say how much i enjoy reading this thread.
As an ex North Sea Tiger it brings back memories.

 

[Ian Bell]

Never been offshore but I also enjoy reading this thread about,what you are seeing

 

[Gander]

The gull population has increased slowly since Tuesday, as more Herring Gulls have arrived. Yesterday, the mixed GBBG and HG flock was over 200. The female Eider has been evident, and was still there this morning, where it was joined by a Cormorant.

Sadly, a couple of days ago, I was called to an injured juvenile GBBG. The guy who reported it to me told me he had picked it up and put it in a quiet corner. As he still had all his fingers and his face, I guessed the bird was in a bad way. Attending the bird, I found it could not stand, and there was no sign that it could flap its wings. It was half heartedly trying to stand, but was only pushing itself backwards on its belly.

I assessed the birds was suffering, and dispatched it quickly. I hate having to be the one to make that decision, but I felt that in this case the bird had zero chance, and would only suffer a lingering death. This is only the second time in 32 yrs that I have had to do this, although I have given one or two injured birds the benefit of the doubt when I should not have done.

Some may say that I should let nature take its course, but I think however unpleasant the task is, there has to be a point where an intervention is made.

 

[delia todd]

Sad Paul, but I think you did the right thing lad.

I wouldn't have been able to sleep worrying them; and there'll be no vets out there would there!

 

[Gander]

Heavy persistent rain yesterday brought a few birds with it. Two Herons were reported to me. And a Snipe type bird was seen. The person who spotted the bird was sure it was not a Woodcock, but couldn't be 100% positive it was a Snipe.
This morning, a small bird fluttering about, and chirping in a dark, inaccessible area was reported, but there was nothing to be seen when I got there.

 

[Gander]

On Monday afternoon, I came across the leg of a bird lying on a walkway. It had been stripped to the thigh bone and looked pretty fresh. No sign of any predators though. I could not tell what bird the leg came from, but I thought Starling to be a likely candidate, despite not having seen one this trip. Then yesterday, as I headed along the upper north walkway, a small group of Starling landed in front of me.

The gull flock remains about the 200 mark, but they have been joined by a few Kittiwakes, including juveniles. The Eider duck has not been seen for a couple of days, so appears to have moved on. No surprise as storm Barra has just passed through.

 

[Gander]

On Thursday, I spotted a thrush type bird in flight. I only got a brief view of the silhouette, but if I was to guess, I would go with Blackbird. I headed for where the bird had headed, but there was no sign of it.
I also had a conversation with one of the guys who remained on the platform when I left last trip. He informed me that I missed a huge wave of birds passing through, numbered in many thousands. Mainly Redwing and Blackbird, but with many smaller unidentified birds. Guessing again, I would think Brambling and Chaffinch, but who knows what rarities I missed!
I questioned my spotter about our missing Fieldfare, but he never identified one. With it now being December, I finally resigned myself to having to leave Fieldfare off this year's list. It seems to happen every year, that one or more of what I would call staple birds, go missing in action. Last year it was Blackbird. This year, LBBG and Fieldfare.
Which brings us to lunchtime today. Heading down the stairs after lunch, a bird flew into clear view. A single Fieldfare. In the middle of December! Would you believe it?

43. Fieldfare