Kittiwakes everywhere (well, on the south side)

The wind eased overnight and the rain stopped by mid morning (apart from a heavy evening squall). The relatively light west wind in the morning strengthened throughout the day and was very strong by late afternoon.

Just my stuff so far (MD)

Heysham skear - low water 10:00

We're back to neap tides now, they don't go out very far!

Pale-bellied Brent geese 28 (none ringed) initially out from the play area, they must have been spooked and flew to the skear corner. But they soon made their way back up the shore. The bulk of the easy picking weed is among the rock pools where the rocks edge onto the shore.

Eider 2 male

Waders: Oystercatcher, Curlew, Redshank and Turnstone, plus

Knot 180

Dunlin 3

Common Snipe 2 (on inner skear)

Bar-Tailed Godwit 1

South wall - high water 15:40

Pale-bellied Brent goose 49 (almost certainly including this morning's 28)

Dark-bellied Brent goose 1

All on Red Nab, again no rings seen.

Today's tide was 25cm lower than yesterday's, but with 45 minutes flood left it was already higher than it reached yesterday. This is partly as the strong west wind was blowing it in, but mainly due to a significant drop in atmospheric pressure 1009 millibar yesterday 989 millibar today. 20 millibar lower, 1millibar is roughly equal to 1cm of water so with just atmospheric pressure today's tide would be 20cm higher than forecast. Forecast tide times and height are always just a guide. 

This is the tide moving the Brent and Wigeon closer to the sea wall.

This is the Dark-bellied (left)

Relatively easy to pick when its belly is exposed, not so easy when swimming. This is it (centre) in the same place but with the water a little deeper.

The white foam is a perfectly natural spume, formed when the wave action creates bubbles from the natural proteins in the seawater. The white foam turns brown over the shore as it picks up particles of mud, but is always white in open water.

The tide became too high for the Brent and they flew off south.

Some of the Brent leaving. The dark-bellied is in the middle of the leading birds,
and probably is the lead bird. Once again quite easy to pick in flight.

Kittiwakes - a walk along the sea wall saw Kittiwake all along it, although mainly focused around the outflows. I estimated at least 30 walking out, with another 3 in the harbour. But walking back it was easier to count as they were basically feeding by moving north along the wall then swinging back further out. So I counted all the birds passing me going north, and subtracted 1 for each one flying south, ending up with a very conservative 35, so 38 with the harbour birds.

I'd got back to Red Nab when I noticed the StenaLine coming in. It was already 15:35, but the light was holding and I couldn't resist popping back, when I reached No.1 outflow the sun came out briefly so I took these two clips. First, this shows the gulls, mainly Kittiwake, over No.1 outflow.

This clip,shows Kittiwake feeding along the sea wall

I reached the lighthouse just in time, the sun was still shining (although not for much longer), but a heavy squall was coming in with the StenaLine, the wind increased and the driving rain started. It was almost impossible looking out to,sea, but Most of the following gulls were driven into the harbour. In this clip most of the action happens below the sea wall, but if you watch carefully, best in slow motion, you can see a Kittiwake has a fish too large for it to swallow easily. It is pinched by a Herring gull, then a Great Black-backed tries to grab it. I can't  tell if the Herring gull managed to swallow it first.

This is the stern of the ship, followed by a cloud of gulls, not really much to see, but it does show the driving rain.

I remained sheltered behind the lighthouse for another 10 minutes, in that time 117 Kittiwakes drifted out of the harbour past me. There were still a few milling around, but there were three before the StenaLine arrived. So, 117 behind the StenaLine plus 38 already along wall and in harbour, 155 minimum total!

Heavy winds are blowing as I type and forecast to continue overnight. 

Cetti's singing again

Very heavy overnight west wind continued to ease during the morning. Overcast, but mainly dry with just a few light showers.

Middleton Nature Reserve (MD)

Little change in the wildfowl, no Pochard today but Three male Tufted duck.

Water Rail squealing from the central marsh

Cetti's warbler, also the central marsh bird, heard singing several times in a five minute visit.

South shore

I walked out before the ferry arrived (MD)

Kittiwake 17 including 6 first winter. Some, at least, seemed exhausted. This adult flew in 20 minutes before the ferry, and landed no more than 5 metres from me and settled for a rest on the sea wall near the lighthouse.

I managed to continue my walk without disturbing it

This second winter Great Black-backed gull is part of the North West England gull project
It was ringed 06/07/21 at Walney and was also seen in the harbour last winter, between 9/12/21 - 3/02/22
You seldom get coded rings so well orientated!

I watched the gulls follow the lunchtime ferry into the harbour, but relied on Pete to conduct an accurate count from the east side of the harbour.

The incoming ferry crossed over with Stenaline so ‘only’ 28 Kittiwake behind Ben my Chree. So with the 17 already around, at least 45 birds

Pete also advises that with the increasing number of Kittiwake around, there is a reasonable chance of a ringed bird, so each one is worth checking.

Dave Hawkins also walked along the wall and took these excellent Kittiwake shots from the outflows, behind the ferry and within the harbour. As ever with such high resolution pictures they should be opened to really appreciate the detail.

This one was one of 5 - 6 feeding above the waterfall 

On the way back a distant flock of 190 Lapwing flying south from the saltmarsh area

Rock Pipit 1 near wooden jetty

Wigeon 292 counted by Shaun around Red Nab

It was too early in the tide for any Brent geese, so I popped back for a quick check at 14:00.

Pale-bellied Brent 40 on Red Nab - the tides are dropping now and at 8.3m this afternoon's tide did not flush them off Red Nab, although it may have done if there were more walkers along the wall (there was only me!). But viewing towards high water over the weekend should be worthwhile.

The Kittiwake were still just about everywhere. This first winter flew over Red Nab, allowing a "bird's eye view" of the Oystercatcher, Wigeon and Brent geese.

Well, the "missing" buoy was back today. Obviously it was never missing, just out of sight. The tide was much higher when I checked yesterday, there must be something, presumably a very buoyant something, tangled around the buoys anchoring chain. Today, the tide was just starting to make and the buoy was already leaning under the strain. As the tide rose the buoy may have sunk out of sight again.

The left hand buoy was out of sight yesterday. You can already see it leaning as the tide starts
to make. Something entangled, quite high up, its anchor chain is pulling down on it.

Just out of the recording area. Purple Sandpiper roosting at high water on the groyne near Seaborne Rd. ref Shaun

Record Brent numbers

The SW wind freshened all day. Some very heavy showers.

First a few shots from Kevin Singleton

These Knot actually from last week, they are currently scarce 

Oystercatcher and Redshank on the old heliport wall today

South Shore rising tide late morning (MD)

Rock Pipit 2 bickering along the sea wall

Wigeon 191 in the channel next to No.1 outflow, waiting for the tide to reach Red Nab

Eider 1 female

Shag 1 at least on the wooden jetty

Kittiwake 10  at least - 2 x 1st winter and 3 adult both on No.1 outflow and around the harbour.

For a change I just kept my camera looking at one spot on the outflow all 5 Kittiwake make an appearance.

Adult and first winter Kittiwake, both looking sodden on the inner harbour wall

Pete checked the lunchtime ferry in:

77 kittiwake flew out associated with incoming Ben my Chree also c10 lingering before arrival.  

Also

Little gull 1 adult flew out further offshore.

Mediterranean gull 3cy behind ferry.  

Brent Geese - c40 went south past the harbour mouth before the ferry ie about 1150, then 63 pale-bellied went south past the north harbour wall at c1220-1230.  Therefore possibly over 100 Brent around Red nab!

Kevin Singleton had seen 42 in Half Moon Bay, all pale-bellied, probably the first lot seen by Pete. It was lashing down when I walked past Red Nab on my return, but there was obviously a lot of Brent there, all seen were Pale-bellied.

The strong winds are also having physical consequences

Fresh scarring and a scrape of paint on the north roundhead

One of the "two" buoys out from the north wall is missing

Middleton Nature Reserve 

Pochard 1 male

Tufted Duck 2 males

Mallard 2

Gadwall 18

This fox was keeping an eye on Janet as she exercised a dog
along the old go-cart track on Heysham Head

More Brents including first Dark-bellied

A fresh west wind blew all day, and miraculously, it remained mainly dry with just a couple of light showers.

South Shore

A morning check of the harbour located 

Kittiwake at least 4 including 2 x 1st winter 

Adult Kittiwake in the harbour 

Female Eider, catching the wind in the harbour mouth

Pete and Jean checked the lunchtime ferry in

Kittiwake 29 - it took a long time counting as they were slow to leave

Unfortunately, the incoming ferry crossed paths with the outgoing StenaLine
Some of its entourage of gulls may have switched allegiance.
Note the lights on the "noon" ferry

Tim Woodward counted 10+ Kittiwake between 15:00 - 16:00

1 managed a walk along the sea wall around lunchtime (MD)

57 Redshank lined up along No.1 outflow

Brent goose 44 Brent arrived at Red Nab at 11:35

But not all Pale-bellied, this Dark-bellied was feeding with them on my return. This is the first record this winter.

In this clip the Brent and Wigeon are feeding on the gutweed as the tide covers the rocks. It starts with a group of Pale-bellied Brent feeding, then focuses on the Dark-bellied Brent goose

Just after this clip they flew off towards the estuary

Little gull saves the day

A fresh wind initially SSE but shifting ever westwards after lunch. Persistent and heavy rain (Kevin's weather station shows 26mm of rain today by 20:00)

South shore

I set off in the heavy rain and it never eased (MD). I only had time for one walk today, and had planned to walk down to the lighthouse and await the lunchtime ferry. But the driving rain meant there was no opportunity to browse the shore, Red Nab etc. so I ended up, at the lighthouse 45 minutes before the ferry was due. It was still persisting it down so I decided to leave and headed back. My only sighting was:

Pale-bellied Brent goose 12 flew to Red Nab from the north side 11:25

Fortunately Pete managed to check the ferry in and just managed to scope through the terrible visibility 

Little gull 1 x 1st winter

Kittiwake 15 at least

Mediterranean gull 1 (probably, difficult through the gloom)

No gull pictures today, but I liked this one of a Kittiwake that I didn't use earlier in the week

Middleton Nature Reserve 

The water level of the "no swimming" pond is now above the south and west banks.

Gadwall 18

Tufted Duck 3 male

Tufted Ducks looking as miserable as it was!

I took this clip yesterday, but decided to save it for today, anticipating it not to be conducive to photography today. Daily visitors to the nature park leave seed mixes, and fat balls for the birds. This particular feeder is just below the small anemometer and is regularly stocked. Always worth a look.

The wind is getting stronger as I write. Very strong WSW wind forecast for tomorrow, and hopefully the rain will not be as heavy. Although it always feels heavy in driving rain!

More (quite a few more) of the same

A fresh wind varying between WSW and WNW. Reasonably dry after showers first thing.

Middleton Nature Reserve 

No sign of the Pochard today, other wildfowl pretty much as yesterday 

Two additional adult Mute Swan were flying around

South shore 

Well covered today, I had a walk along the wall to check the lunchtime ferry (MD). Mike Stocker checked in the afternoon. Pete and Jean watched the ferry in.

Pale-bellied Brent goose 35 were feeding on Red Nab on the rising tide but flushed by the tide before high water. They were back again when Mike checked later. I think they are all in this clip.

Rock Pipits 2

Kittiwake - Jean and Pete counted 23 behind the lunchtime ferry including 3 first winter (and, amazingly, I also managed to count 23 - I normally miss some). They left after the ferry berthed, but Mike saw c30 in the harbour again in the afternoon. 

Six Kittiwake behind the ferry

They are difficult to count accurately as they are very mobile. This is just a flavour

This adult flew right over my head as it was leaving

Adult Kittiwake 

Red-breasted Merganser 1 seen morning and afternoon 

Shag 1 in the harbour (Mike)

Pochard makes it for another winter.

 A quite fresh south to SSE wind, heavy rain around lunchtime, other than that dry, but mainly overcast.

Middleton Nature Reserve (MD)

Just the two adult and five immature Mute Swans on the main pond.

The water level on the "no swimming" pond continues to rise. It is now over 2m above its normal level.

This is the same view as I posted 2nd January, at that time it was covering
the reeds, it's now half way up the bushes!

I have checked a couple of times this week, but the pond was deserted each time. But it wasn't deserted today:

Gadwall 21

Tufted Duck 2 male

Pochard 1 male - this is the first record this winter, they (he?) and are just managing to remain an annual record.

Pochard and Tufted duck (drake)

It looks as if this pair of Gadwall were seeing off two unwelcome males, although it is the female doing most of the "seeing off"

South shore

This was the opposite to yesterday, I'd just reached Red Nab when the rain started, and it continued for the rest of the walk!

Shag 1 immature in the harbour

Red-breasted Merganser 1 female near Red Nab, 1 male in harbour

Peregrine Falcon 1 male

Rock Pipits 2 - Red Nab and near wooden jetty

The above records from Jonathan who was just coming off as I got there (better timing!)

Pale-bellied Brent geese 15 - 2, 5 and 8 flew south from Red Nab

Wigeon c120 

Bar-Tailed Godwit 1 resting on Red Nab

Bar-Tailed Godwit - located by Phil

It  was bucketing down, so I didn't await the ferry. Fortunately Pete checked

Kittiwake 10 despite SSE wind and poor visibility 

A nice day to watch the gulls

Heavy rain showers till late morning, then a nice sunny spell till mid afternoon. The already lightish south wind eased further around lunchtime.

First a few shots from Mark as he and Jayne enjoyed a walk along the sea wall yesterday.

Wigeon feeding on Red Nab

The Wigeon heading off as the ferry was heading in

Immature Shag in the harbour 

South shore today (MD)

I still haven't fully gotten over my "man flu", and I wasn't filled with enthusiasm! It had been dark and raining all morning, I donned two coats (warm and waterproof) and set off, thinking that if it was too miserable I would turn round and come back. But as soon as I reached the saltmarsh about 30 minutes before high water, the clouds parted, the wind dropped and the sun came out. And it stayed like that for the duration of my walk!

Saltmarsh:

Common Snipe 3 (most would have already left)

Jack Snipe 1

Reed Bunting 5-6

Rock Pipit 2

Wigeon 80+ still out from the saltmarsh 

By now it was high water, Red Nab was already covered and there was nothing on the outflows.

Just two more Rock Pipits, on Red Nab and Sea wall

Red-breasted Merganser 1 female

Shag 1 roosting on the wooden jetty in the area favoured by the 3rd calendar year 

The sea was calm, the skies blue and the sun bright, I wasn't expecting there to be much behind the ferry, but there was, at least 17 Kittiwake including 2 x 2nd calendar year 

The cloud of gulls behind the ferry

I was conscious that yesterday I had focused on the 2nd calendar year birds, probably because they are easier to spot in the gloom. So today I was determined to get some clips/shots of the adults.

This one has picked something up, but whatever it was it dropped it again.

This one provides a tour of the harbour 

Adult Kittiwake 

This one appeared to be an adult, but its still dark bill showing it to be immature 
3rd Calendar year Kittiwake 

By now the tide was ebbing quickly. The cormorants were feeding above the wooden jetty foundation rocks, and they were catching plenty. There are two fish caught in this clip, they look like, and probably were, Pouting.

The gulls were lined up, watching from the edge of the wooden jetty, they swooped
down when a Cormorant caught a fish, but they would have been lucky to get anything 

Something or someone must have spooked the Oystercatcher roost on the heliport wall, many of them settled on the newly emerging Red Nab rocks.

A decent turnout, birds and observers

The wind wasn't as fresh or as westerly as originally forecast. Just a few light showers with sunny spells.

Janet managed a morning outing:

Grey Heron and Moorhen on Middleton main pond

Some excellent shots of a Goldcrest in Heysham Nature Park. Worth opening these to enjoy the detail, in the last one it has a small spider. 

Goldcrest with a tiny spider

Pete checked the lunchtime ferry in

Kittiwake 24 (at least) including 2 already in the harbour

Shag 1 in harbour

Myself (MD) plus Mark and Jayne Jones watched the ferry in from the lighthouse. We didn't manage an accurate count, but we enjoyed the spectacle. 

2nd calendar year Kittiwake 

Several of the Kittiwake followed the Ben My Chree into the harbour. This is a 2nd calendar year 

This is one of the 2nd calendar year birds already in the harbour, they normally sit rather than stand when resting.

Typical resting position of a Kittiwake 

It stood as I approached (I had to get past) revealing its pale legs

Shag 2 - as well as the 2nd calendar year in the harbour, there was a 3rd calendar year roosting on the wooden jetty

Redshank 140 - I thought they were going to roost on wooden jetty, but they continued south.

Pale-bellied Brent goose 4 flew south (Red Nab was already covered by the tide)

Wigeon c150 out from the saltmarsh 

Reed Bunting 6 around the saltmarsh 

Common Snipe 17 flushed by tide from saltmarsh 

The winds are set to continue into next week.

Not too bad for a calmer day

The south to SW wind not as fresh as yesterday. Mid morning showers cleared by lunchtime, but it remained overcast.

South Shore

I bumped into Janet and we had a walk along the sea wall together, one still nursing a broken ankle and one feeling sorry for himself after a bit of a cold! But we did ok. (MD) All today's photographs are Janet's.

Wigeon 165 counted on the sea

Pale-bellied Brent goose 16 on Red Nab, two flew off early at 11:20, but 14 remained till 12:30

Pale-bellied Brent Geese and Wigeon grazing the gutweed on Red Nab

Some of the Wigeon leaving Red Nab

Rock Pipit 2 - Red Nab and Sea wall near wooden jetty

Kingfisher 1 Red Nab

Female Red-breasted Merganser

Cormorant 

Shag 1 x 2nd calendar year resting on the platform near the waterfall, then, almost certainly the same bird, in the middle of the harbour later.

2nd calendar year Shag 

Immature shag (left) with cormorant 

Janet walked back while I waited for the ferry. There were a lot of gulls behind it again, despite the much calmer conditions. Including at least 12 adult plus 2 x 2nd calendar year Kittiwake. 

The wind is looking more promising for gulls behind the ferry tomorrow