Middleton Nature Reserve
Report by John:
Nets set again this morning in not ideal conditions. Quite still, but light drizzle for much of the period. Numbers of Redwings seen was low, so catching ten of them was a good result. Few other birds around. There was an influx of some Blackbirds mid-morning, although none were caught. The catch comprised:
Redwing 10
Blue Tit 3
Redpoll 2 and singles of Chiffchaff, Robin and Dunnock
Heysham skear - low water 07:30 (Malcolm)
It was barely light as I was walking out, it was eerily quiet. Then about 07:30, when possibly it was slightly lighter, something triggered the waders to say that it was dawn, and the normal clamour began. There was a fine drizzle all the while I was out.
Six species of duck seen:
Shelduck 4 initially on the sea then north.
Red-breasted Merganser 5 at least
Eider 3 at least
Common Scoter 1 female type
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| Common Scoter |
Wigeon 4 on the sea
Shoveler 3 (1 male) on the sea.
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| Shoveler |
Great Crested grebe 3 at least
Grey Heron 1
Little Egret 4
Oystercatcher definitely more than recent c2,500
Curlew 40
Redshank 60
Knot 600 in several very mobile flocks
Janet checked from the promenade later in the tide, when it was slightly brighter.
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| Knot |
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| Curlew |
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| The Curlew headed to the south side. Janet also reported a large flock of them landing in the field near Heysham Moss |
South shore (Malcolm)
Just a short walk after lunch from the saltmarsh to Red Nab.
Shelduck 37
Wigeon 120
Then back through the Nature Park.
I spotted a greyish Chiffchaff in the bushes and trees near the circle of stones. I eventually managed some decent diagnostic shots confirming it to be a Siberian Chiffchaff
Heysham Head (Dan Haywood)
overhead;
Chaffinch 18 NE
Woodpigeon 14 NE
Siskin 6 NE
Song Thrush 6 NE
Lesser Redpoll 5 NE
Brambling 5 NE
Meadow Pipit 1 W
Swallow 1 NE
selected; on deck
Blackbird 15
Goldcrest 3
Rock Pipit 3
Chiffchaff 1
Mistle Thrush 1 then NE
Redwing 1
Black Redstart 1 (fem-type, shore beneath the barrows)
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| Female type Black Redstart |
Dan's full report, can be seen on the LDBWS webpage
https://lancasterbirdwatching.org.uk/forums/topic/morecambe-heysham-am/
