Monday 25 March 2024

Not (quite) as wet as forecasted

Heavy rain was forecasted for most of today. Reasonably accurate for the morning but it was dry for most of the afternoon with just a few late showers. A light SE wind.

Saltmarsh to Red Nab towards morning high water. (MD)
Pale-Bellied Brent goose 17 on Red Nab (later there were 19 milling around the skear towards low water.
Shelduck 8
Wigeon 0
This is just after the Brent arrived at Red Nab, note the Sheldrake displaying at the end of the clip.
Wheatear 2

Middleton Nature Reserve "no swimming" pond
A quick morning and evening check of the Goosanders saw the same on both visits (Malcolm)
Goosander 6 - 1 male and at least 1 first winter 

Two female, this one practicing her disappearing duck trick

They're all in this clip (Chiffchaff and Great Tit in the background)
Little Grebe 1
Coot 2
Mute pair - for some reason the female decided to switch the nest site to a totally inaccessible one amongst the trees. Perhaps there has been more fox activity than in previous years. This has required using twigs not reeds as the building material. She has done very well, despite not quite mastering the technique of working with twigs. She was trying to position this one when I arrived, and was still at it when I left five minutes later! (Great Tit in the background)
Cetti's warbler 2 singing
Chiffchaff 1 singing
Stonechat 1 male had arrived by the evening 

Male Stonechat 

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

Glossy Ibis still present at lunchtime