Meteorological spring

Well, the first of March, the first day of the meteorological spring. In my youth, I always marvelled at how accurate the old adage was: March, comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. The start of March always felt that we were still in the depths of winter, but by the end of March it felt like it was spring. Mmmmm, things are different now!
There was another overnight frost, then warm in the east breeze and sunshine. I took my stroll in a sleeveless jacket today (MD).

South shore
Saltmarsh
Reed Bunting 1

Reed Bunting - by Kevin

Rock Pipit 2 - near the east side rocky outcrop
Jack Snipe 1 - the tide was still miles from the marsh, this bird was accidentally flushed from the high tide line were it must have stayed from last night's tide.
Ringed Plover 3
Weasel 1

Red Nab
Rock Pipit 1

The incoming tide is corralling these Oystercatchers

Until they fly off to their high water roost

Wigeon making their way to feed on the Red Nab weed
Meanwhile the Redshank feed in the shallows

A slight east breeze and nothing was roosting on No.2 structure!
No seal today either

Lighthouse area

Rock Pipits 2 - these pictures are of the same "agitated" bird

Heysham Head

Report and pictures from John Dent:

I have been watching the rock pipits at Heysham Head for a week or so now. Each time there has been a pair around last years nest site below the cliff. They are usually feeding amongst the seaweed as the tide recedes (as per picture below).

Today is the first day I have seen one standing on prominent rocks whilst the other is feeding.

Both Rock Pipits are in this shot

This is a nice shot of a 2nd calendar year Black-Headed gull
flying around the Head on Friday 

Middleton Nature Reserve
There are still an additional 9 adult Mute on the main pond, with the 3 juvenile. The 2 breeding adults are alone on the "no swimming" pond.
Gadwall 3 (Tim Butler pond)
Mallard 5
Coot 8
Moorhen 7
Water Rail 2

There has been hardly any air movement over the previous two days. Today's breeze was slightly fresher and from the east. It created this "snow storm" from the ripe Reedmace seed heads. Just west of Imperial Way.

Not the sort of "snow" a young Malcolm would have expected on March 1st!