Dolphin pod pays a visit

Showers in the morning but bright this afternoon. A fresh west(ish) wind

Pete checked early on:

Bottlenosed Dolphins were feeding near the harbour mouth, then moved out of view to the south - probably 5 at least.  

Just 5 Gannet and two Common scoter out 0615-0715.  

2cy Mediterranean gull past harbour mouth, then later on Red Nab. Same bird as yesterday, by head pattern

2cy Shag briefly in view inshore at the harbour mouth then left to the north.

2cy kittiwake heysham 2 outfall.  Unseasonal (for here) 
Sandwich tern feeding off harbour mouth

I had a walk along the sea wall - Malcolm 08:30 - 09:30

It managed to stay dry as I walked out, but rain all the way back!

The 2nd calendar year Kittiwake was resting by the lighthouse when I got there

Herring Gull and 2cy Kittiwake looking a bit sorry for itself 

As I walked back along the sea wall in the rain, camera carefully stashed away, the Kittiwake flew along beside me. I could almost have taken a brass rubbing, never mind a photograph. I eventually managed a couple of quick shots as it moved in front of me so I was pointing away from the rain.

2cy Kittiwake

There were two Rock Pipits in the harbour. A male near the waterfall was displaying. The only one near the lighthouse was just stood with no food to offer any chicks.

This tuft on the back is probably the result of sitting on the nest with the
back touching the top of the nest hole. Making this the female. It suggests 
that the first brood didn't successfully fledge, otherwise she would be either 
taking food to the nest or feeding a fledged bird.

Linnet 5 between the lighthouse and waterfall

In the Nature Park

Jay at least one calling

Male Bullfinch on the perimeter fence

Middleton Nature Reserve - Janet

Large Skipper

Large White

Painted Lady

Very faded Common Blue

Heysham skear - Malcolm 13:30 14:30

Red-breasted Merganser 1 female

Red-breasted Merganser

Little Egret 6

Gulls c400, but only c200 actively feeding. Some were resting high up the skear and others on the sea. Two green ringed birds were seen, but both seen before.

We have now received the history for this orange ringed Herring gull seen on Sunday.
ringed as a chick on 29 June 2024 on Copeland Bird Observatory on
Old Lighthouse Island, off Co. Down, Northern Ireland.
It has been sighted once before: 11/08/2025 - Portballintrea, Northern Ireland