A compete washout - well, almost

Winds from the south to SW. Heavy rain in the morning, giving way to alternating heavy and not so heavy rain in the afternoon!

Nothing of note on the south shore in the morning. Just before I squelched back to my car, I came across a very large feeding mixed tit flock below the small anemometer, but by that time my optics were useless with condensation. At least one warbler (Chiffchaff) seen plus at least one Goldcrest heard. Shame conditions weren't better.

Middleton Nature Reserve - mid afternoon

Mute 4 adult 3 + 1 cygnet 

Mute Swan and a Cormorant 

Coot 5

Moorhen 8

Gadwall 10

Shoveller 3

Little Grebe 2 (winter plumage bird on "no swimming" pond. Partial summer plumage bird on Tim Butler pond)

Common Snipe 5

No warblers seen or heard

This Dunnock summed up the day!

Reasonable sea watch

Wind started from the south then swung round to SW to WSW, showers eased by the afternoon with some sunny periods.

Pete managed an hour on the north wall in the early afternoon:

Whooper Swan - 30 + 16 +14. The third lot of Whoopers flew up bay crossing to Stone Jetty area, previous two in off over harbour/Ocean Edge.

Razorbill 2

Mediterranean Gull 1 adult

Rock Pipits 2 on south shore

Middleton Nature Reserve - mid afternoon 

Gadwall 23

Shoveller 3 - additional bird female type

Little Grebe - no sign on the "no swimming" pond, but one on Tim Butler pond.

Water Rail 1

Additional Gadwall flying in 

Warblers:

Cetti's warbler - western marsh male singing

A walk along the boundary of golf course found almost nothing, then on the return walk there was at least:

Blackcap - two distant warblers appeared to be this species.

Chiffchaff 3 - one singing, another calling and a third silent but seen.

This Chiffchaff is ringed.

Pete advises that these warblers were likely to be birds that were lagging behind a tit feeding flock.

Thrushes - there were about 30 feeding around the reserve, most near the inaccessible area in the NW corner between Tradebe and the golf course. Mainly Blackbird and Redwing but at least one each Fieldfare and Song Thrush.

The Blackbirds were eating Blackthorn berries (sloes). Quite a beak full!

Insects - it was quite warm when the sun was out, but still no butterflies seen.

Migrant Hawker 4

Common Darter 3

Finally, there was no sign of the solitary cygnet. Then I found it in a tiny pool on the main pond peninsula. The other swans seemed to tolerate it there.

It looks pathetic, and there is little natural food here,
but if it remains it will be fed by the individuals who regularly feed all the mute.

More Whoopers

Quite fresh SW to W winds, sunny spells and showers all day.

A quick check around Ocean Edge shore found nothing! No wheatears, pipits or Linnet. 

Brambling 3 briefly near pond behind Red Nab.

Middleton Nature Reserve - mid afternoon 

There were plenty of ducks on the "no swimming" pond.

Including:

Gadwall 21

Mallard 2

Shoveller 2

When the second Shoveller joined the male, there was a series of mutual bobs and nods, that suggested they were a reunited pair.

Then it looked like he got a good scalding for going off without her! (MD)

The single cygnet has been chased off the main pond and is now trying to feed on the no swimming pond. But the aggressive male won't tolerate it.

The youngster is looking underweight 

Water Rail 1 calling

Common Snipe 1

Pheasant 3

No sign of Cetti's warbler today, but one Chiffchaff calling

Whooper Swan c15 flew low over the golf course and continued SE 15:05

Buzzard 1 low to south, probably local.

Insects:

No butterflies seen

Migrant Hawker 1 male

Common Darter 3 (2 male). All three had damaged and/or frayed wings.

Male Common Darter

Undisturbed saltmarsh at high water = birds

Wind from SW, rain for most of the morning some sunny spells by the afternoon.

The last of the current spring tides today, 9.20 metres is just enough to cover the saltmarsh in these relatively calm conditions. Normally, by the end of a set of high tides, the Snipe have got fed up of being flushed twice a day, and so numbers dwindle. Not so today, possibly because there seemed to have been little human and canine disturbance.

Saltmarsh - high water 15:10

Common Snipe 15

Jack Snipe 2

Wigeon c 80 feeding in the saltmarsh margins.

Reed Bunting 3 - at least two moved quickly on

Linnet 13

Meadow Pipit 1 grounded

Rock Pipit - none

Wheatear 2. One was a particularly plump rufous bird

Surely one of  the Greenland Race (MD)

Whooper Swan 9. 14:50 they came low above the foreshore before cutting over to Potts Corner and continued south

There was a mixed tit, mainly Long-tailed Tit, feeding group in the copse behind Red Nab. Including:

Goldcrest at least 2

Goldcrest feeding in crevices in a fence post

Blackcap 1 female - not sure if it was actually with the feeding flock or just in the same tree.

Blackcap bottom left. This bird is ringed.

Kevin took this shot of a beleaguered looking Pinkfoot. Hopefully just taking a rest in the harbour.

Insects, holding on - just!

Another wet start, then mainly dry till mid afternoon. Warm SE wind.

Just my stuff so far (MD). Possibly more to come

South shore - low water mid morning

Skylark 1 on saltmarsh

Wheatear 1 

Rock Pipits at least 5 - I couldn't decide whether these were passage or the recently elusive local birds. I did suspect passage as I only saw them on the way out, no sign of any on the return leg. But their distribution (1 + 3 + 1) was typical of the birds previously resident.

White Wagtail 1 on Red Nab.

It was chased away several times by one of the Rock Pipits.

Eventually, an uneasy truce 

but just enough time to find a snack

Pink-Footed Goose 75 SE 11:15

Middleton Nature Reserve - mid afternoon 

Mute - the "missing" cygnet is now back on the main pond. Not being chased off by the female and the three cygnets, but certainly being encouraged to maintain social distancing!

Two adult on the no swimming pond and another on Tim Butler.

Gadwall 4

Teal 2

Shoveller 1

Little Grebe 2

Cetti's warbler 1 singing

Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 south

Pink-Footed Goose 73 S 14:05

Insects:

Even without the sun it was warm. I'd seen a couple of Migrant Hawkers. Then the sun came out, only for a few minutes, but suddenly there were three Migrant Hawkers and two Common darter feeding around me. Then the sun went in and the rain started!

This female Common Darter
managed to catch a beetle in the sunny break.

This Red Admiral was the only butterfly seen.
It's admirable that it could fly at all!

Jack Snipe continue to be flushed by spring tides

After a wet start, mainly a dry day with freshening SE wind.

This is Craig's excellent picture of yesterday's Siberian Chiffchaff on Heysham Nature Reserve.

The bird was also confirmed by its distinctive call.

No sign of it today, a male Reed Bunting was the top bird!

Middleton Nature Reserve 

Mute - the aggressive male has returned to the "no swimming" pond. No sign of the other adult and cygnet. The female with 3 cygnets are still on the main pond.

Gadwall 2

Mallard 4

Shoveller 1

Little Grebe 1

Water Rail 2

Cetti's warbler 3 singing (No swimming pond, plus central and western marshes)

Chiffchaff 1 seen with Long-tailed Tit flock

Grey Wagtail 1 south

Redwing at least 14 grounded 

1 Migrant Hawker seen In a brief period of weak sunshine

Ocean Edge area - report and pictures from David Talbot 

Flushed from saltmarsh by the rising tide

Common Snipe 1

Jack Snipe - flushed very late

Jack Snipe

Rock Pipit

Long-tailed Tit

The wind turns

The gentle breezes switched to the south. Mainly overcast and dry.

First an omission from yesterday's records

Short-eared Owl spiraling over Half Moon Bay then headed west (high) towards Walney - ref Shaun

Late news - Siberian Chiffchaff on Heysham Nature Reserve. Picture to be added to Monday's post - Thanks Craig.

Middleton Nature Reserve 

Visible migration and ringing report from Alan:

Ringing this morning was a bit desperate with 11 birds in total between the four net sites.

Few birds were seen moving except for Pink footed Geese:

Flocks south 30+23

Flocks North c1000+38+c600+150+c400

Grey Wagtail - two separate birds dropped to the net area but were not captured even though a superfine net was set.

Afternoon and early evening

Ring Ousel 1 female /immature 

Cetti's warbler 1 singing

Common snipe 4

Gadwall 2

Little Grebe 1

Shoveller 1 eclipse male

First Shoveller record this year

Saltmarsh 12:00 as tide was covering

Common snipe 3

Jack Snipe at least 1, probably 2

Shaun's records

Yellow-browed Warbler one by itself at the pond on the dog walk track that runs parallel to Moneyclose Lane at 1045.

Chiffchaff 4

Treecreeper 1 (near Dipping Pond)

Goldcrest 4

Coal Tit 4

LTTit 11+ 7

Siskin 2

Redwing 15

Blackbird c30

Song Thrush 8

Woodcock 2

Jay 2

Water Rail 2 calling 

Peregrine ad + imm

Merlin 1 high heading east

Sparrowhawk (large) female hunting

Pink-footed Geese 500 N at 1000, 400 N at 1015. Two other groups heard to the East (over Middleton) but not visible from where I was.

Red Nab: Little Egret 3 and 68 Wigeon.

Great White Egret 1 NW 14:15 ref Kevin

Also from Kevin's moth trap - a Lunar Underwing 

not common in the North of Lancashire

Marsh Tit and Jack Snipe

Very light breezes again, but more due north. Largely overcast, but dry.

Middleton Nature Reserve 

Visible migration and ringing report from Jean:

Migrants still trickling over

Linnet 10 - some going W

Redwing 4 - E

Blackbird 2 - SE

Reed Bunting 3 - E

Lesser Redpoll 6 - SE

Meadow Pipit 3 - E

Greenfinch 4

Bullfinch 4 - N

Chaffinch 7 NE

Pink-footed Goose - 890 in 5 flocks N

Grey Wagtail - 3

Jackdaw 20 SE

Snipe - 5 

Woodpigeon - 9 S

Ringing:

Redwing 2, Wren 2, Goldcrest 1, Blackcap 1, Robin 1, Reed Bunting 5, Lesser Redpoll 3, Chaffinch 1, Coal Tit 1

Retraps: Cetti’s Warbler 1, Long-tailed Tit 2, Blue Tit 1, Blackbird 1.

Cetti's Warbler - birds singing from four widespread locations.

Heysham Nature Reserve 

Marsh Tit confirmed in eastern section

Kingfisher 1 on dipping pond

LTTit 4 groups (8, 9. 8 and 5). 

Coal Tit min 8. 

Goldcrest 2. 

Blackbird 40, 

Song Thrush 5 

Redwing 3

Pink feet 160, 50 and 150 north between 1200-1215. 

Heysham Head (Shaun)

0830-1000. 

Pink feet c350 north, 

Rock Pipit 4 (including a very grey one). 

Coal Tit 4. 

Blackcap male. 

Ocean Edge area (MD)

Today's 10.20 metres high tide at 12:15 covers the saltmarsh about an hour before high water. This flushes any feeding snipe, including:

Jack Snipe 2 (11:13 and 11:20) both, flew directly to Middleton Nature Reserve. There is another chance 11:50ish tomorrow. I would be reasonably confident, but they do get "fed up" of being flushed by successive tides, and may remain on Middleton 

Unless a flushed bird lands again, this is the typical view!

Common Snipe, only one seen, but the saltmarsh was already largely covered when I got

Great White Egret 1 SE 10:50

Pink-Footed Goose - 300 N (probably same as Shaun's) + 115 NW

Rock Pipit 2 together plus 1 (very grey bird) alone. A second report of 5 together may include these three.

The grey Rock Pipit - possibly the same one seen by Shaun

Meadow Pipit 3 Grounded

Reed Bunting 1

Grey Plover 6

The tide was higher today

The prolonged easterlies provide

Light NE breeze all day, warm in the sun, otherwise cool.

Middleton Nature Reserve 

Visible migration and ringing report from Jean.

An even quieter day for most visible migration, except for Jackdaws:

Redwing 2 SE, 1 dropped in. Ringed birds were emerging from overnight roosts (as were Blackbirds).

Song Thrush 2 N

Grey Wagtail 3 N

Linnet 10

Chaffinch 4

Bullfinch 4 N

Reed Bunting 1 SE 

Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 S

Jackdaw 123 SE (flocks of 83, 32, 8)

Pink-footed Geese - heard to E at 10:30 but not seen

Ringing

Blackbird 2

Wren 1

Redwing 8

Goldcrest 4

Long-tailed Tit 2 plus 4 retraps

Reed Bunting 4

Lesser Redpoll 3

Great Tit 1 retrap

Blue Tit 2 plus 1 retrap

Chaffinch 1

Greenfinch 2

Dan conducted another very thorough check of the area:

Heysham Head 0750-0905 ENE2-3, dry, overcast.

Visible Migration:

Brambling 15 circling headland then E, 2 + 3 NNE 
Chaffinch 11NNE + 3SE
Siskin 3 SE
Snipe 2 in-off then E
Blackbird 2 NNE

Grounded

Blackbird 8

Redwing 5 then NE

Song Thrush 4

Coal Tit 3

Goldcrest 2

Common Chiffchaff 2

Rock Pipit 3

Thanks 

Peregrine 1 juv disturbing 2300 Knot

Heading from Heysham Head to HNR (!)

Pink-footed Goose 43 N 0910 + 3 SSE 0926

Heysham Nature Reserve (southern half only) 0930-1030 ENE3, dry, breaks in cloud

Meadow Pipit 3S
Grey Heron 1 high in-off over harbour then E over reserve
Linnet 1SE
Siskin 1N
Redwing 1N

Common Chiffchaff 1

Goldcrest 1

Siberian Chiffchaff 1 

Siberian Chiffchaff 

Marsh Tit 1 probable-- heard only, but repeatedly. Pitchooo!

Shaun had a productive session too!

Heysham Head: 

LLTit 9, 

Chiffchaff 2,

Blackcap 1 male

Goldcrest 2. 

Blackbird c15. 

Song Thrush 5.

Half Moon Cafe area: 

Yellow-Browed Warbler junction of Cyprus Road and Smithy Lane. Headed in to gardens whilst tit flock (incl LTT5 & Coal Tit 4) came across road into scrub/woodland. 

Brambling 2 E. 

Blackbird c25, 

Song Thrush 10, 

Redwing 2. 

Goldcrest 5.

Heysham Nature Reserve 

Yellow-Browed Warbler  quarry with 7 LLTs headed towards Tank Farm. 

Goldcrest 2 in NW corner and 2 along Moneyclose dog walk track. 

Blackbird c20. 

Song Thrush 5.

 Raven heading N. 

Water Rail calling

Ocean Edge (MD)

Common Snipe 4 flushed by tide off the saltmarsh - no Jack Snipe

Meadow Pipit 1 grounded

Rock Pipit 1 first here for over a week

Insects:

Common Darter 2

Red Admiral 1

Speckled Wood 2}

Passage eases off

Very light NNE winds. Mainly overcast.

Middleton Nature Reserve 

Visible migration and ringing report from Jean:

A much quieter day. There was still a trickle of migrants but nothing like the Redwing rush of yesterday.

Vis 0730-1030 NE F1-2 part cloudy with an occasional light shower

Redwing 74 N

Fieldfare 3 N

Song Thrush 1

Mistle Thrush 1 E

Canada goose 2 N with 

Barnacle Goose 1 (might be a “fence hopper”)

Teal 8 E

Snipe 

Grey Wagtail 2

Chaffinch 11 (20 at Heysham NR)

Bullfinch 2 SE

Siskin 1+

Lesser Redpoll 1 

Jackdaw 59 S

Skylark 2 N

Starling 6 S

Ringing was equally slow but there was quality rather than quantity:

Grey Wagtail 1, Redwing 7, Blackbird 1, Reed Bunting 5, Lesser Redpoll 2, Chiffchaff 2, Goldcrest 1, Chaffinch 1, Great Tit 1, Wren 1 retrap

Saltmarsh area high water 10:50

The tides have now quickly swung to spring tides. Some very high tides over the next four days.

Mediterranean gull 1 adult flushed by the tide and flew off east.

This is what you get when you photograph
a white bird against a white sky.

If you manage to find a bit of undisturbed shore, not easy, the birds sit out high water.

Two Grey Plover on east side of saltmarsh 

Juvenile Cormorant on foreshore

Heysham skeer - low water 17:45

Great Crested Grebe 8

Red-Breasted Merganser 7

Turnstone c40

I can't decide what this one is eating.

Knot c 2,500

Some of the Knot murmurating

It was a beautiful sunset

Sunset over the wind farm,
I suppose it is the 21st century's equivalent of
"Sunset over the gasworks".