Six Ring-necked Parakeets were roosting in a tree opposite the entrance to the Maer long-stay carpark earlier in the week.
A strong southerly has been blowing again today, so I had a couple looks at the sea from the raised beach huts - from 0730 - 0830 and again from 1050 - 1245, so almost 3 hours in total. Highlight was a beautiful adult Little Gull that headed towards the river, close offshore, at 1210. I'd probably had another go east at 1128 but it was very brief and hampered by shaky scope views. Otherwise - c130 Black-headed Gulls east shortly after first light, 45+ Kittiwakes, 45+ Gannets, 2 diver sp, 2 Red-throated Divers, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 11+ Common Scoters, 1 Shelduck, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 8 Dark-bellied Brent Geese. At least 8 Turnstones and 2 Purple Sandpipers were on Maer Rocks but I didn't see the Eiders today, and only 8 auks whizzed by, too far out to identify.
Little else to report this week but late news for the 21st concerns the 2 Eider still off Maer Rocks and hundreds of Kittiwakes close past the seafront during the latter part of the morning, and amongst them an adult Little Gull. Counts from Mudbank included 14 Great Crested Grebes, a white-ringed, adult Mediterranean Gull, c30 Redshank, c300+ Dunlin, 2 Knot, 2 Greenshank and 2 Grey Plovers. Six Ring-necked Parakeets were opposite the Maer long-stay carpark.
When I saw your Ring-necked Parakeet shots I thought, before I'd read your text, you'd been down this way! I remember the excitement when I first saw these, but now one of the commonest birds across London. Seen up close the males are striking birds.
ReplyDeleteHi Neil - agree they're fabulous -looking birds. I'm a little surprised that we haven't got more. I assumed that once we had a few they'd multiply exponentially. I've not personally seen more than six together for a long while. Perhaps we're lacking the right amount of the right environment down here in Exmouth? Trust you're keeping well. Great to hear from you, as always. Matt.
ReplyDeleteYes, keeping well, thanks Matt. Certainly around here Peregrines are very partial to the parakeets.
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