The wind not providing, yet

Generally a lightish SW wind, but there were heavy squalls in the morning with strong wind and heavy rain. The rain eased off by mis afternoon.

South shore 

I had a look in the morning hoping the squalls had grounded something (MD)

Little Egret 3

Kittiwake - just 1 2nd calendar year seen resting on their pipe in the harbour 

Linnet 12 on foreshore/Red Nab plus 3 near lighthouse 

Wheatear 2 - this one was grounded near the lighthouse after a particularly heavy squall. I got a bit excited for a minute as its face initially seemed very dark. But it was just wet and it did a fine job of displaying its tail marking while drying itself off.

Rock Pipit 3 - 1 near the lighthouse and these 2 near the waterfall 

This one was stood directly above the waterfall and was constantly peeping.

Pete had a look later in the morning, but there was nothing on the sea except for good numbers of Common Gulls still on the outflows.

I had another look along the wall in the afternoon, just after high water (MD). At least I got my coat dry!

Kittiwake 3 - 2 on the pipe and one patrolling the wall

Shag 1 immature on the wooden jetty

Ringed Plover 1 flew across the saltmarsh 

It was strange seeing no ducks or geese on Red Nab.

These are the breeding pair of Linnets near the lighthouse, I suspect the third bird is one of last year's young. In this clip, the male collects some food then gives it to the female.

This is the moment of transfer, it does look romantic!

The male's forehead is just starting to turn red

After identifying the Jay mimicking a Tawny Owl yesterday, Jean did some investigating and came up with this fascinating stuff:

I googled Eurasian Jay mimicry and found that they can mimic all sorts of birds of prey eg Buzzard, Sparrowhawk as well as Tawny Owl. One source said it was to deter Carrion Crows which certainly makes sense at Heysham NR. There are two active Jays, probably a pair, opposite the office at Heysham. I see them every time I’m ringing. If they’re nesting on the reserve they will need to deter the Carrion Crows which have set up territory in the vicinity of the pylon opposite the office. They launch their attacks on Ravens from there.  

Prof Google also revealed that Jays  can mimic cats and even human voices!! The other morning I heard what I thought was a phone trilling and that turned out to be a (perhaps the same) Jay.