Sunday 14 April 2024

Gannets, more Terns and another start

Another, just about, dry day. Sunny periods in the morning, but cool in the fresh SW wind

Report from Pete Crooks:

Heysham South Harbour Wall – 50-minute sea-watch from the lighthouse (8.45 – 9.35 am)
Gannet – 4 flew into the Bay, then back out about 15 minutes later
Red-throated Diver – 1 on sea off North Harbour Wall
Common Tern – 2 lingering off North Harbour Wall
Great Crested Grebe – 3 offshore
Rock Pipit – 4 between Heysham Harbour and Stage One outfall



Knowlys Road, Heysham
Common Redstart – 1 male on the leeward side of the hawthorn hedge extending down from Knowlys Road to the promenade
Pale-bellied Brent Geese – 11 roosting on the shoreline at low tide (plus a distant Malcolm)


And I was that "distant Malcolm", having a stroll around the skear at low water. These are some of the Brent geese, they were totally ignoring me.


First winter Pale-bellied Brent goose, Knot and Oystercatcher 

Eider 50+

Red-Breasted Merganser 13 - just one adult male in this group of five.


Great Crested grebe 3

Little Egret 14

Shag 1 adult feeding briefly on the south side (later seen on the wooden jetty at high water)


Waders:

Oystercatcher c1,000

Curlew 2

Redshank 60

Knot c1,000 (managed to read a ringed bird, details awaited).

Turnstone 40

Bar-Tailed godwit 18 (13 and 5 came from south before continuing north after a rest)


Middleton Nature Reserve 

Janet had a look this Morning


Male Pheasant

Gadwall pair on the main pond......

........before flying to the "no swimming" pond

Peacock butterfly taking advantage of the morning sun

Swallow 1 over the main pond late afternoon - Angela

Just out of the recording area - horse paddock behind Middleton Parish Hall

Glossy Ibis still present mid morning at least



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