First Gannets

A dry day with sunny spells. A fresh SW wind continued to freshen throughout the afternoon and evening and shifted more to SSW.

Pete checked the sea on the incoming tide this morning.

Gannet 3 adults, then nothing else in the hour towards high water - conditions should be better tomorrow.

Heysham skear - low water 16:40 (Malcolm)

Pale-bellied Brent goose 23

Eider 14

Red-breasted Merganser 2

Wigeon 16 north

Wigeon gaining height as they head north

Oystercatcher 1,500

Curlew 6

Redshank 400

Bar-Tailed Godwit 97 minimum

Some of the Godwits landing on the skear after arriving from the south

Bar-Tailed Godwits with Knot

Knot 1,000. Mercifully, there were no Peregrine attacks this afternoon, presumably the Peregrines had already fed. Many of the Knot were also more interested in preening than feeding, when they settle like this amongst the rocks, checking for flags is impossible. This clip includes Oystercatchers, Bar-Tailed Godwit and Knot preening, with a few Redshanks walking around.

They didn't preen all the time though and nine flagged birds were read. Six are new for Heysham this winter. Clearly, some movement involved.

Turnstone 250

Some of the Turnstone