By Simon Parker
There's a strange calm this morning, last nights wind has been and gone, the sun is back and it feels good to be outside again. Walking down towards the beach road, through Millcombe valley, it's eerily quiet. Everything is hunkered down or made a quick escape before the storm. I had a thought this morning (a rare thing). If I had not looked at the weather forecast and seen the impending force 10 arriving tomorrow, could I sense that a storm was approaching? I actually believe that we can sense weather patterns and the more we do it, the more we improve. Initially you can just look, that's a big dark cloud, it's going to rain. But there's more subtle signs, air pressure for instance. Sometimes it can feel like there's a tension in the air, and nature will always seek to correct that by seeking balance. This morning, there's a distinct lack of wildlife, a sign that that last night was pretty wild and tomorrow is bringing an even bigger storm.
The few birds that were out and about tended to be the seabirds, hardy and built to handle the more extreme weather. My personal favourites, the Gulls, seem to be in their element in high winds. Sightings wise it was a quiet day, but here's some highlights...
Gulls on Water Tanks pool
Herring Gulls are still present in large numbers by the water tanks, they're enjoying the benefits of the heavy rain by populating the lake that's formed through the winter, 226 counted in total although around 30 were found prospecting nest sites off Benjamins chair. Meadow Pipit are still in fairly good numbers with 23 spotted.
A pair of Stonechat were found between Rocket Pole Pond and the Old Light and 3 brave Skylark were found singing around the airfield making the most of the relative calm. Millcombe totals were low and the Long Tailed Tits were absent 3 Blackbird, 2 Robin a Wren and 3 Woodpigeon in total.
One thing to mention albeit a sad ending to the blog, a lone Woodcock was found floating out to sea off the Landing Bay. Possible casualty from last nights storm.