Outflow feeding patchy today

A largely dry day with just a lunchtime shower. A freshening NE wind

South shore (AH, KE, MD, JH)

I walked along the wall at low water (MD). There were just a few Black-Headed gulls feeding on the outflows. When I reached the harbour, the likely reason presented itself. The bucket dredger was operating very near the intakes for the outflows almost certainly discouraging any shoals of Whitebait. When I got back to No.2 outflow there were still only a handful of feeding gulls, but I saw Alison and Kevin arriving so waited. Good decision! Almost out of nowhere appeared.

Little Gull 2  - 1 first calendar year and what looked to be a second calendar year. This is the second calendar year/adult. It looked to have some black in its primaries, but in fact they were, at least partially, just missing feathers.

Little gull in autumn moult.
Its underwings not as strikingly dark as a typical adult.

The Little gulls left as abruptly as they arrived, but then the juvenile Arctic Tern arrived.

Kevin's shot of the juvenile Arctic Tern

By this time the tide had risen somewhat, there would have been a greater depth of water at the intakes, so perhaps more fish. Even so there were still a lot fewer other gulls than of late.

In the afternoon Josh Hedley checked the outflows and saw both the Little gulls and the juvenile Arctic Tern

Also this morning:

Wigeon 130 in the channels beside the outflows.

Little gull in the foreground with some of the Wigeon in the channel beyond.

Bar-Tailed Godwit 5 feeding on the beach between No.1 outflow and the wooden jetty.

Kevin's shot of one of the Godwits 

No pipits were seen, heard or reported today

Also from Josh this afternoon:

Shelduck 108

Chiffchaff 1 along the dog walk track

Terns and Dragonflies......remember, remember.....it is November!

A fresh NW wind. Sunshine for most of the day.

South shore on the morning rising tide (MD)

Shelduck 126 feeding on the mud.

Wigeon 108 waiting in the channels by the outflows.

Eider 1 male out from the harbour entrance 

Arctic Tern 1 juvenile plus Common Tern 1 juvenile feeding on No.2 outflow.

Mediterranean gull 1 adult at the seaward end of No.1 outflow before flying off south.

Bar-Tailed Godwit 2 were feeding on the beach between the wooden jetty and No.1 outflow. The tide was rising up the channel beside them, but the tide doesn't just rise up against the mud, it rises through it too, effectively fluidising the mud. Makes for easy pickings!

This one runs from the higher, drier mud to the lower fluidised mud, you can see the mud colour change as it reaches it. It then has to run again to wash its Lugworm before its mate pinches it.

At this point the mud is so soft the Godwits can easily push their head right through it.

Rock Pipit 1 on foreshore 

Linnet c50 on saltmarsh 

Harlequin Ladybird a "swarm" was sunning themselves along the wooden fence at the entrance to Ocean Edge. At this time of year they gather together, looking for suitable hibernation locations. There were two or three of the two main variations on every post for about 100m at least 30 Ladybirds.

Harlequin Ladybirds 

Middleton Nature Reserve - afternoon (MD/JP)

Mute Swan pair plus 8 large cygnets 

Gadwall 3 on the "no swimming" pond plus Janet saw 7 fly over.

Mallard 27 - the "tame" 12 on the main pond and a very flighty flock of 15 on the "no swimming" pond.

These are the "no swimming" pond birds. It must have been me that spooked them, but I was being as careful as I always am here, and I don't normally spook the ducks (the normally more flighty Gadwall remained)

Coot 12

Moorhen 6

Little Grebe 1 in winter plumage on the main pond, but very elusive 

Grey Heron 1 regular bird resting on the slope above the main pond

Cetti's warbler 1 singing at the "no swimming" pond

Sparrowhawk by Janet

Common Darter 2 - an old female and this male.

Male Common Darter resting on a late autumn fallen leaf

Roe Deer 1 female

Terns still here, plus a Little glimpse

The wind was quite fresh and moved from the east to WNW over the cause of the day. One mid morning shower, then rain pretty much all afternoon.

South shore (MD)

I managed a morning walk before the shower started.

Linnet 100+ on the saltmarsh, the spring tides have stripped all the currently available seeds off the marsh plants. They were feeding on those seeds deposited on the tideline or dropping on the brambles like a plague of locusts!

Rock Pipit 2 along the sea wall

Meadow Pipit 2 on Ocean Edge grass

Arctic Tern 1 juvenile and Common Tern 1 juvenile on or around No.2 outflow - this is the Common Tern, but the Arctic makes a brief appearance towards the end (although you have to be quick to spot it).

This is also the Common tern, taking a break to preen its feathers.

A quick check in the afternoon confirmed that both Terns were still feeding on No.2 outflow.

Little Gull 1 adult - only seen once making its way along the seaward end of No.2 outflow.

Whooper Swan 4 flying towards the Lune estuary 

Wigeon 50 - this short clip is actually from yesterday, but it shows their resourcefulness as they climb half way up the sloping wall to feed on the gutweed there.

But the Wigeon were not the only birds to be scaling the sloping wall. The Great Black-Backed gull with the broken wing was on top of the sea wall as I walked out. I had resolved not to feed it as it would only prolong the "inevitable", but I couldn't resist it today. I had some soft dog treats in my pocket "full of protein and vitamins", if you believe the packaging. I left them on the wall and carefully walked past the gull. It immediately went over to investigate the treats, tasted them and discarded them! Gulls are not noted for being fussy eaters, my assumption that it must be starving was clearly incorrect.

On my way back it had climbed down the wall and was patrolling the rocks next to No.2 outflow.
Later still in the afternoon it was wandering between the caravans on Ocean Edge. Plenty of easy
pickings and treats there. So, it looks like its fate depends on the risk of predation rather than starvation.
At least a threat of a swift end, rather than an agonising one.

Long-Tailed Tits - at least 11 in the Nature Park close to Red Nab

Little gulls join the terns and November dragonflies!

A strange day weather wise. Heavy overnight showers then heavy rain again from late morning till mid afternoon. Before and after the midday rain it was really quite pleasant and sunny. The initially light east wind freshened throughout the day and shifted to the south.

Common Darter 4 at least. Janet saw at least three on Middleton Nature Reserve plus this one I saw in the Nature Park.

Female Common Darter, catching the November sun

Also on Middleton Nature Reserve. 

Common Snipe 2

Pheasant 1

South shore (MD)

For once my timing was impeccable, a morning and late afternoon walk managed to miss the rain, and quite a lot to be seen.

This morning:

Shelduck 30

Wigeon 46

Rock Pipit 4

Meadow Pipit 2

Long-Tailed Tit - a mobile flock had reached the end of the Nature Park and ended up on Red Nab before doubling back. 7 seen heading back but probably missed some.

One of seven Long-Tailed Tits briefly in the "bush" near the steel bollards at Red Nab

Blue Tit 4 - 2 also on Red Nab, possibly arrived with the Long-Tailed Tits, 2 more flew east along the sea wall

This is slightly unusual, Robins don't normally tolerate Dunnocks (or anything else for that matter!)
But this was just after the morning rain had ended and the Dunnock looked particularly sodden

Arctic Tern 1 juvenile and Common Tern 1 juvenile on No.2 outflow (although the Arctic wasn't there on the way out)

Juvenile Common tern having a rest on the outflow railing

For comparison, this is David Kaye's shot of the resting juvenile Arctic tern
Taken on Sunday

The freshening SE wind meant that they could fly more slowly against it, making them easier to follow. This is the Arctic.

In the afternoon the heavy and prolonged squall had brought in

Little gulls 4 - one adult plus 3 first calendar year feeding on No.2 outflow.  Both Terns were still there although, this time the Common Tern wasn't there on the way out.

This clip begins with the juvenile Arctic Tern but quickly switches to following two of the 1st calendar year Little gulls.

This is the adult Little Gull

First calendar year Little Gull

Adult Little Gull

Great Crested Grebe 1 feeding in the harbour

Terns (and Whimbrel) still around.

Heavy overnight rain and another shower at lunchtime. Overcast all day. A light east breeze.

First an update from yesterday

Wheatear 1 late bird moved rapidly through the old heliport at midday- Mark Breaks.

South shore

I went out in the morning just as the heavy overnight rain was easing (MD)

Back to "normal" with Rock Pipits,  just 4 seen (foreshore 1, Red Nab 1 and 2 together on the sea wall)

This is one of the sea wall birds.

Meadow Pipits 10 grounded on Ocean Edge grass. This is one with a Pied Wagtail, they are finding plenty to eat as the invertebrates have climbed up the grass blades to avoid the waterlogged ground.

Reed Bunting 2 on saltmarsh 

Shelduck 1

Wigeon 53

Whimbrel 1 calling from Red Nab

Both the juvenile Common Tern and juvenile Arctic Tern were feeding on No.2 outflow, but as yesterday, the Arctic not always present.

Later in the afternoon Janet was exercising a dog along the sea wall. No specialist camera today, just a mobile phone camera. 

This is Janet's shot of the juvenile Arctic Tern.
It shows that excellent record shots can be taken with just a phone camera.

This is also Janet's. It shows the extent of the Oystercatcher movement, presumably something or someone had flushed them from the Heliport roost.

It rained down rocks!

A prolonged and heavy shower late morning eased just after lunch. A few later lighter showers. A light east breeze.

First these shots from Howard yesterday at the old heliport:

I made another visit today hoping to get lucky with the Knot, alas there were fewer birds c1500 which stayed in the middle of the outer wall with only one quick fly round due to a corvid dropping over the wall and spooking them.

There was a male Kestrel flying low over the field which flushed 11 Snipe, and c40 Greenfinch,

that is a greenfinch with the Kestrel

A more recognisable shot of a Greenfinch

7 meadow pipit feeding around the naze and onto the lorry park

at the cafe end someone had put some seed down on the path for the birds
(House Sparrows)

.........and Rat with offspring.

One of three Pied Wagtail, this one with a metal ring was just beyond reading range.

South shore

I couldn't get out till lunchtime today (MD). At this point it was pouring down and had been for over an hour. It was high water so I started at the saltmarsh 

Common Snipe 8

Jack Snipe 1

Linnet 55

Reed Bunting 2

Wigeon 37

Rock Pipit - there was just 1 on the saltmarsh, but another 9 along the foreshore (2 looked to be the residents at the slipway end chasing off 3 others, while a Robin was desperately trying to see off 3 more further along, plus a single bird at the Red Nab end). Other single birds on Red Nab, Sea wall and lighthouse in the regular residents areas. So a total today of 14!

Ringed Plover 8 

Greenfinch 2

On Red Nab

As I reached the outflows the rain was easing. 

Common Tern 1 juvenile and Arctic Tern 1 juvenile were flying high and patrolling the sea wall between the outflows.

The Common Tern was constantly calling, you can just about hear it in this clip. Watch in slow motion and you can see its bill opening as it calls.

On the way back the tide had ebbed further and both terns were feeding around No.2 outflow. This is the (silent) Arctic.

Juvenile Arctic Tern

Juvenile Common Tern

When Pete had a quick look from Ocean Edge at 15:00 there was just the Common Tern feeding, but the Arctic may well have been resting on the wall (see yesterday's post)

Cormorant 54 on the wooden jetty

Great Crested Grebe 1 feeding by the water intakes in the harbour again.

This, justifiably, sad looking Great Black-Backed gull was also in the harbour.
Unfortunately its flying days are over.

Grey Seal 1 between the outflows

In the Nature Park

Goldcrest 2 

Chiffchaff 1 calling near the white barrier at the entrance. There is nothing to see in this clip, I'm not pointing my camera at a wooden post so much, as pointing the camera microphone towards the calls. Mostly Chiffchaff calls.

What could be better than one late Tern..........

A dry day after an early shower. The light east wind continues.

South shore

A morning check on the rising tide (MD)

Common Tern 1 juvenile on No.1 outflow, today joined by......

Arctic Tern 1 juvenile 

This clip starts and ends on the Arctic Tern, with the Common in between.

Juvenile Arctic Tern

Later David Kaye took this excellent shot of it on the sea wall.

Both terns were still feeding on the outflows this evening (evening......It was only 16:00!)

Red-Throated Diver 1 initially fishing by No.2 outflow

It must have found enough to eat as a little later it was drifting out preening.

Later still, David saw it, or another, flying towards Ocean Edge

Pink-Footed goose 17 low to the south

Wigeon 100+

Rock Pipit 4

Meadow Pipit 2

On saltmarsh 

Reed Bunting 2 

Linnet 85 

Common Snipe 7 

Whimbrel 1 late bird flew out from the saltmarsh calling.

Heysham Nature Reserve 

Report from Pete Crooks

A 1 hour 30 minute walk around produced:
1 male Blackcap
1 Chiffchaff
2 Redwing
12+ Long-tailed Tit
1 Jay
2 Bullfinch
28 Goldfinch

Common Tern was a nice addition

A light SE breeze. Pretty much dry all day, just a few spots of rain.

South Shore

Common Tern 1 juvenile on No.1 outflow - Kevin Eaves

Juvenile Common Tern

I watched the tide cover the saltmarsh, it doesn't take long on these spring tides (MD)

Wigeon c150 left Red Nab of which 86 went to feed on the saltmarsh. At this time of year, they take over from the finches, eating the seeds as the tide covers the marsh plants.

Goldfinch 12

Greenfinch 15

Linnet 102 were in one flying flock, almost certainly more. When the tide is in the Linnet feed on the tideline. These are just a few of them.

Meadow Pipit 3 also feeding along the tideline, but after invertebrates not seeds.

Meadow Pipit displaying its long hind claw

Rock Pipit 1, also after invertebrates 

Reed Bunting 2

Common Snipe 14, no Jack Snipe lifted today.

Turnstone are well know for, well......turning stones, looking for invertebrates. Here are three doing just that.

Starlings are noted for mimicry, typically sounds. But they are not adverse to copying a successful feeding technique too, and they are very quick learners!

A Swift interest

Sunny till early afternoon then overcast with a few light showers. A light but freshening east to SE breeze.

Heysham Nature Reserve

Report from Jean:

It was fairly quiet at Heysham NR this morning. We had 6 nets up but didn’t catch much. The highlight was a Tree Sparrow. Goldcrests could be heard but stayed feeding in the bushes, the one I managed to catch was a retrap from not long ago so it suggests Goldcrests weren’t actually on the move. The same went for Chiffchaffs, just 2 or 3 caught. Of the Redwings that poured into the east of the country yesterday, very few made it to Heysham. One was caught as it left its roost along with a grey looking continental Blackbird. Pete got excited as an obvious continental Coal Tit descended from the sky but it evaded the nets and only a few British Coal Tits were caught.

Visible migration was also low key:

07:30-11:30

Jackdaw 51 south in 3 flocks

Carrion Crow 6 north

Chaffinch 17 south

Brambling 1, possibly 2

Bullfinch 3 south

Finch sp 10 south 

Redwing 7 plus 5 landed

Blackbird 16 south

Starling 13 

Woodpigeon 7

Pink-footed Goose 208 north, 26 south

Pied Wagtail 2

Siskin 1

Redpoll 2 SE

Coal Tit 7 south plus the Continental one

Collared Dove 1 south

At 09:50 a SWIFT flew northwest (could it have been the Pallid Swift seen over Mull at 2pm??!! - we can dream!)

Starling roost

520 flew from the power station roost

Other

Peregrine called from one of the pylons

Two Sparrowhawks flew up from one of the copses

Middleman Nature Reserve

Common Darter 3 - Janet saw one in the morning and I managed 2 males in the afternoon 

I was busy till mid afternoon (MD). The sun was still shining when I left home, but the first shower started just as I reached the main pond!

Wildfowl similar to recent, still 8 cygnets with the Mute Swan pair.

Just before I reached the "no swimming" pond something must have spooked the ducks as 9 Gadwall and 2 Teal flew off.

All that remained on the "no swimming pond were 2 Coot (12 in total), 2 Moorhen (6 in total) and a single Mallard (13 in total).

A single Mallard was the only remaining duck on the "no swimming" pond.
It was clearly going to be one of those days!

Grey Heron on the main pond

Pink-Footed goose - 2 skeins south, but on both occasions there were trees obscuring view so only heard.

Redwing 3 elusive around the reserve

Thrush sp - probably Redwing - 22 south but quite distant to the east

Blackbirds were the only other thrushes seen c12 feeding on Hawthorn berries

Cetti's warbler 3 singing Males - "no swimming" and Tim Butler ponds plus central marsh.

Roe deer 1 - unfortunately it saw me before I saw it! So only a fleeting glimpse.

The sun came out again just as I got back to the main pond. I'd noted the eight cygnets lined up along the north side, when they decided to fly to the south side. No apparent reason, just flying practice, this clip is rubbish as I was largely obscured but it does convey the impact of eight large birds landing on the water close by.

Ring Ousel........top bill

The morning showers eased by lunchtime, but it remained overcast. A light east wind.

Middleton Nature Reserve 

First John's ringing report from yesterday morning:

A ringing session at Middleton yesterday had a catch of just 18 birds, half of them being Goldcrest. The total catch was:

Goldcrest              9

Redwing               3

Blackbird              1

Wren                     1

Great Tit               1

Blackcap              1

Lesser Redpoll     1

Blue Tit                1

Today:

Cetti's warbler 3 - Janet heard one singing by Tim Butler pond this morning. I paid a brief evening visit (MD). There was one singing at the "no swimming" pond, plus this silent one showed briefly on the opposite bank (not a great clip, but you rarely get to glimpse them).

The evening wildfowl was as recent except just 3 male Teal in breeding plumage plus a female or immature male.

Male Teal coming in to land

Male Teal in breeding plumage

Female or immature male Teal

Jackdaw 23 looking like they were preparing too roost.

Heysham Head - Dan Haywood

Ring Ouzel 1 - lower slopes Heysham Head 0750 but flew SE towards paddock containing sheep and not relocated.

Full report from Dan:

Heysham Head (off-passage night migrants in italics);

Goldcrest 13
Blackbird 9
Song Thrush 9
Chiffchaff 1
Brambling 1
Redwing 1
Ring Ouzel 1
Wren 25
Greenfinch 14
Dunnock 11
Long-tailed Tit 11
Goldfinch 6
Rock Pipit 5
Coal Tit 3

Rising Tide waders in ‘Pre-Roost’;

Knot 260
Redshank 150
Turnstone 24
Curlew 18

Half Moon Bay - Kevin Singleton 

Grey Plover 2

Robin 3 close together by the old tree stump

South shore - high water 10:10 (MD)

Shelduck 9 north

Wigeon 156 around Red Nab before some flying to Potts and others to the saltmarsh.

This is Red Nab 1hr before high water. In stark contrast to yesterday's bright colours everything was
shades of grey. Most of the Wigeon have already moved on. The waders are mainly Oystercatcher
with Curlew, Redshank and Turnstone.

These are some of the remaining Wigeon feeding on the gutweed growing on Red Nab rocks. It is still quite lush and keeps growing through the warmer spells of winter. Even so it is like a billiard table cloth by the end of winter.

One of three Robin along the foreshore, at least one additional bird

Saltmarsh 

Lapwing 9 

Common Snipe 21

Linnet 58

Rock Pipit 1

Meadow Pipit 2