Interesting Canada goose migration data

A fresh NW wind, showers in the morning remaining overcast in the afternoon.

South shore (Malcolm)

Just a check from Red Nab to Saltmarsh at afternoon high water.

Wheatear 1 adult male along foreshore, not clear if is was late arriving or returning early.

Wheatear

Redshank 1 on saltmarsh, first seen for a few weeks.

Returning? Redshank

Middleton Nature Reserve (Malcolm)

Just a quick check of the two main ponds, mid afternoon 

Mute Swan female still sitting on nest. The male had moved to the main pond where he normally rests with his family at this time of year.

Male Mute Swan resting on the main pond

The Tufted Ducks were feeding.

Then time for a preen and a wing flap

In contrast the male Gadwall was a few feathers short of a good flap.

Mallard 8

Coot 2 on "no swimming" pond with 1 chick, these 2 on main pond with 4 chicks.

Moorhen 4 no chicks seen today

The "resident" Grey Heron was skulking about.

Jean provided this interesting map of the known Canada goose moult migration routes and destination.

Map showing the moult migration routes of Canada Geese in the UK. The ones seen at
Heysham appear to head mostly for Windermere but some go all the way to Beauly Firth.