tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2388920830232801770.post498510760417976194..comments2023-06-26T13:56:38.493+01:00Comments on 'patchwork': No shearwaters! Why bother seawatching?Pat Workhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17069060347512415955noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2388920830232801770.post-8419042611280469042014-08-19T11:38:10.757+01:002014-08-19T11:38:10.757+01:00The key to rewarding seawatching and patching is -...The key to rewarding seawatching and patching is - of course - persistence. Seawatching off our coast here in east Norfolk can be an arduous, cold and breezy affair, often with little reward - it was so dismal and wet this morning for example that we packed up before Ryan's Black Tern got to us. However, as a bit of encouragement, and to point out just what long hours and regular observations can produce when seen in the context of several years' effort, below are a few examples of birds seen while seawatching off TG42 in recent years. Regular, documented seawatching in TG42 only took off when my co-observer arrived here in 1995. Since then, and since my arrival in late 2006, a lot of effort has been put in on the sea and I've benefited massively from the experience of two other obsessive local patchers, who gave me the enthusiasm to watch and record in a disciplined manner. Prior to that it was bit of a black hole in terms of seabird records. When looked at through the filter of time, it's a pretty decent spot!<br /><br />White-billed Diver Nov 2007<br />Cory's Aug 2008 and Sep 2008<br />Fea's Jun 1997<br />Multiple Leach's, but with blank years<br />Multiple LT Skuas, but with blank years<br />Balearic Sheawaters are annual in very small numbers<br />Flocks of Little Auks thru the surf in good years<br />Poms marauding through the breakers in small parties, max count 44 Oct 1996<br />Sabs Gulls, but with blank years<br />Highest Manx day count 995 in Sep 2009<br />Highest Sooty count 67 in 1996<br />Highest Gannet day count 5523 Sep 2008<br />Highest Bonxie count 256 Sep 2008<br />Blue Fulmar max count over 20 but precise number escapes my memory at moment<br />Highest RTD count 1812 Jan 2010<br />Surf Scoter Dec 2002<br />Black Stork 2011<br />70 Black Terns May 2009<br />White-tailed Eagle 2011<br />Rough-legged Buzzard<br />Honey Buzzard 4 in-off Sep 2008<br />Glossy Ibis<br />Great White Egret <br />Temm's Stint<br />RN Phal<br />I'd add in some highest wader and duck counts but would probably lose any remaining readers at this point...<br /><br />Scarce stuff like Black Guillie, Black-throated Diver, Iceland Gull, Red-necked Grebe, Roseate Tern and Long-tailed Duck etc all fall in time as attention shifts to counts and movements of more regular species, and an appreciation of the size of movements that give you a good indication of know when to stick it out for a big count. Yesterday's Oyc count of c150 had us hanging in there for a big 200 but it never happened. Once you've had your first fly-by Scaup or Velvet Scoter, you start to think about the highest day total, and it gives further focus and impetus to your recording.<br /><br />Yes, there are godawful days when you get it wrong and sit there looking at water (this morning for example!), but you take the rough with the smooth and appreciate the great days even more when you do get them. As part of my patch obsession, I have collated all published and verified records I can find of birds in TG42 - and some older ones too - and am currently documenting them together in one place for posterity. Slowly. It's an unhealthy labour of love.<br /><br />There will, however, be no seawatching this evening as both Ryan and I will be working the old magic at the East Norfolk all-stars football training... the most important part of patching is keeping it all in perspective!<br />Tim Allwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04721253316151073487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2388920830232801770.post-58452793743568310022014-08-18T21:36:00.011+01:002014-08-18T21:36:00.011+01:00Ryan....Please....go to the pub. You have earned i...Ryan....Please....go to the pub. You have earned it! ;-) Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09655458887447220653noreply@blogger.com