A short early morning sea-watch from the raised beach huts was curtailed when I spotted a kite-surfer getting into difficulties between Maer Rocks and Orcombe Point. The RNLI had to haul him out of the water. The conditions early on were obviously pretty dangerous but it seems there are plenty of idiots out there willing to put themselves in danger as well as those who give up their time and energy to help others. Before the drama, I logged 22 Great Northern Divers flying south, along with 2 Red-throated Divers, 1 probable Black-throat and a diver sp. There are still c30+ Common Scoter off there and on the rocks were 2+ Purple Sandpiper, 9+ Turnstone, 1 Curlew and 18 Dark-bellied Brent Geese.
A quick look off Mudbank revealed a Slavonian Grebe - sadly the only one I've seen in Exmouth this year. How times have changed!
Matt, Where do you reckon that the Purple Sandpipers go once the rocks are covered? Straight Point seems the nearest secluded spot - either side dependent on wind. 6 present this am (7th)
ReplyDeleteHi Rupert - it's got to be Straight Point. They're not normally seen off the Otter and they're rare off Langstone Rock. I've occasionally seen them fly in from Orcombe direction. Straight Point, as you've said, makes sense. Plenty of inaccessible rocks there that could only be viewed from a boat. Nice that there is an established wintering flock in Exmouth now. At least 11, probably 12 with every chance of that number rising. Good to hear from you. All the best,
ReplyDeleteMatt