Ferry Birds – May to September 2017

Ferry Birds

Notes from John Done

Ferry Birds – May to September 2017

Posted on October 1st, 2017

The commoner breeding birds in our area seem to have been present in good numbers this year, willow warbler, chiffchaffs, blackcaps and whitethroats could be heard singing in various places round the village and from the coastal path. Sand martins were again present in the quarry and could be seen flying low over Ferryhills feeding […]

Ferry Birds – January to May 2017

Posted on June 1st, 2017

The seasonal change in the local birdlife is well under way. Most of the redshank that spend the winter in West Bay have left for their breeding grounds as I found only 4 there in the middle of April. The oystercatcher that share the bay have probably dispersed locally while the curlews move inland and […]

Ferry Birds – October 2016 to January 2017

Posted on February 1st, 2017

Looking back in the Ferry News at this time last year and my notes for this year show almost identical sightings of the regular birds in our area. More or less the same number of redshank is wintering in West Bay along with the usual curlews and oystercatchers This year there have been more dunlins […]

Ferry Birds – May to September 2016

Posted on October 1st, 2016

The redshanks in West Bay did their usual trick of disappearing in April and returning in July. The main influx was again in July but I did see one in West Bay on the 29th of June.  There were about 25 by the end of July and I counted at least 35 on the west […]

Ferry Birds – January to May 2016

Posted on June 1st, 2016

The changing of the seasons was, as usual, indicated by the disappearance of the redshank from West Bay.   The usual 35 or so wintered here but by the end of April most had gone.  This winter they had been joined in the Bay by a few turnstones as well as oystercatchers and about 5 curlews. […]

Ferry Birds – October 2015 to January 2016

Posted on February 1st, 2016

West Bay has been the usual focus for waterside birds in the autumn and winter.  The mainstays are the redshanks which number about 35.   They are joined by a good number of oystercatcher, with 2 or 3 curlews . . . . . . and there have also been a several turnstones feeding amongst […]

Ferry Birds – May to September 2015

Posted on October 1st, 2015

The redshank in West Bay did their usual trick of disappearing in April and returning in July.  The first I saw back were on the 7th of July and there were 6 there on the 18th.  Last year the first I saw was on the 8th of July!  Other regular happenings include the eider ducks […]

Ferry Birds – January to May 2015

Posted on June 1st, 2015

The usual change over from wintering to summer birds is progressing quite slowly this year.  It may be related to the very changeable weather but things have started. The redshanks have left West Bay and the red-breasted merganser have also disappeared from the sea between Port Laing and Cruickness Point.  The latter didn’t seem to […]