An entertaining 15min stop off

Overnight frost followed by another nice sunny day. A very light east breeze.

Janet reported large numbers of Pink-Footed geese feeding in the field next to Heysham Moss Nature Reserve 

Also from Janet

Knot on the rocks out from Heysham Head,
looks like they were flushed from the heliport wall again

Imperial Road - this is the road to the recycling centre about 500m from the Heysham end of the bypass (Bay gateway). This road marks the eastern boundary of the recording area. I didn't actually have a walk today (MD), I just parked by the gate at the bypass end of Imperial Road and watched nature for 15 minutes as the traffic whizzed along the bypass. It was very pleasant and reasonably productive.

Water Rail 1 squealing.

Wood Pigeon 12 feeding on the short grass

Buzzard 1 flew north 

Raven 2 flew north west, both at the same time but not flying together.

Long-Tailed Tit 11 a flock passed close by, unfortunately there were no other species with them.

Long-Tailed Tit - this one ringed

This clip is a bit short on detail, but gives a nice sense of the feeding flock activity.

Cetti's Warbler 1 singing (twice). It was in the scrub right next to the bypass, about 30m to the right of the above clip. Pete advises that this is the first record for this specific tetrad (the pond further along the road is in a different tetrad)

Even though there was plenty of interest, I'm not normally good at staying in one spot for long, but these two foxes were keeping me entertained. They seemed to be either a vixen with a youngster or possibly two  youngsters.

This one was the first to arrive

The other was initially some distance away, when this clip pans out you can just see the first fox on the right, by the bush next to the pylon.

But it quickly came closer. I think most dog owners will recognise this behaviour.

I wasn't sure what to expect when they came together. In the end it was an anticlimax 

After a while, they went off foraging together. One or both of them were in view the whole time I was there.

On the way back I just had a quick look at the "no swimming" pond on Middleton Nature Reserve. No sign of yesterday's Little Grebe or Teal and just one male Tufted Duck. But the Gadwall had increased to 16.

The Carrion Crows seem to be defining their territories.

You may have noticed in the above clip that the catkins are emerging.
A sure sign of spring......according to my twentieth century reference books!

A bit of variety (thank goodness!)

Sunshine all day with a very light NW breeze.

South Shore (MD)

We are moving back to spring tides, this morning's high water at 8.6m is just low enough not to flush everything off Red Nab, at least not in today's calm conditions. I checked approaching high water.

Shelduck 33 out from the saltmarsh 

Wigeon 180

Pale-bellied Brent goose 16 - same core group as the last set of tides with 8 first calendar year birds. They are all in this clip with, Curlew, Knot, Oystercatcher and at least a couple of Bar-Tailed Godwit.

These are two adult with three first calendar year (with the pale wing bars). A nice passing display from a Cormorant too.

Most of what remained of Red Nab was crammed with waders. Mainly Oystercatcher, and Knot, but also Redshank, Turnstone, and Bar-Tailed Godwit. Also a Little Egret and a Grey Heron. 

Most of the Oystercatcher were on the west side. This clip begins on the Heron then pans out to show the extent of the Oystercatcher roost.

The other waders and the Brent were on the east side.

Knot coming in, you can make out 3 Brent geese on the water below them

This Redshank is after invertebrates on the incoming tide.

Lapwing 30+ on the saltmarsh 

Reed Bunting 1 on the saltmarsh, you can hear it calling in this clip.

I didn't go along the wall, but a visiting birder advised that no Little gulls were feeding at that time.

These are the tides and conditions that I normally like to walk the tide in, as it comes up the shore. But at the moment sciatica makes that impractical. I looked out wistfully at the distant waders. Distant, but still well within the recording area.

Even so, it was still good to be out on such a lovely morning.

Middleton Nature Reserve (MD)

Just a quick look on my way home.

Wildfowl as yesterday except:

The 10 "tame" Mallard were back at the feeding station on the main pond (still 6 on the "no swimming" pond)

Teal 1 male

Little Grebe 2 - the elusive one was glimpsed on the main pond, but a second on the "no swimming" pond was showing well. 

Showing well?.........it was showing off!

North shore 

Howard managed to locate three colour flagged Knot from the 2,500 rooting on the Near Naze at high water. Unfortunately they were soon spooked by a Sparrowhawk and relocated to the rocks out from Heysham Head.

One of today's flagged Knot

Sporadic Little gulls and a Marsh Tit

A fresh west wind. The rain held off till mid afternoon 

South Shore (MD)

There were no Shelduck feeding on the mud, almost certainly the result of someone exercising several dogs on the shore.

Wigeon c160 - perhaps yesterday's birds did not land in the outflow by accident, they have taken to resting on the rocks inside the outflow rails. A little more shelter here and plenty of gutweed on the rocks.

Little gull 2 - 1 adult plus a 1st calendar year. In normal circumstances I could have missed both of these as they only visited No.2 outflows sporadically. I normally walk along the wall and check the outflows as I pass. On both the way out and the return neither gull was feeding on the outflow. But, I am still hampered with sciatica and I now have to sit and rest a while, and on both occasions a Little gull "appeared" while I was resting (I must try and pause longer even when I no longer need too!).

Probably one of the reasons that they weren't feeding more regularly was that they didn't seem to be finding much to eat. There was only a few Black-Headed gulls feeding too. Up to yesterday the dredger in the harbour was close to the water intakes, today it was in the middle of the harbour. I suspect the "muddying of the water" by the dredger attracts shrimps and possibly small fish to feed. Anyway this is the adult looking for food.

The 1st calendar year didn't turn up till just before I left No.2 outflow on the way back. I would have left earlier, but Kevin had turned up and we were having a chat. I've removed the sound from this clip, as I was still in conversation with Kevin.

1st calendar year Little Gull

I managed to locate the adult preening on the mud, but couldn't find the 1cy.

Middleton Nature Reserve (MD)

I called in mid afternoon, just as the clouds were closing in.

Mute 1 adult with the 8 cygnets 

Coot 6

Moorhen 4

Tufted Duck 2 male

Gadwall 8

Mallard 6 - these are not the "tame" Mallard that frequent the feeding station on the main pond.

Mallard, the drakes looking particularly smart

Gadwall coming in to land, watched over by a Heron

All three duck species in this clip. The "sawmill" in the background is some landscaping work underway.

Cetti's Warbler 1 singing (once)

Then the rain started and it was time to leave - for me at least, just water off a ducks back to them.

Heysham Head

Janet took these shots of this tree favoured by both Gold and Greenfinch.

A Marsh Tit visiting gardens in Longmeadow Lane (backs onto Heysham Moss), today and yesterday. (Identified from video sent to LDBWS). - thanks to Dan Haywood

Another Woodcock

A freshening SW wind. Some light drizzle with a couple of heavy showers by afternoon.

Heysham Nature Reserve 

Report by Josh Hedley - a check this morning:

Woodcock- 1 flushed from woodland at northern end

Goldfinch- 25

A mixed flock contained:

Long-tailed Tit- 11

Blue Tit- 4

Goldcrest- 2

Coal Tit- 1

South Shore (MD)

Little Gull 1 adult - same pattern as the other day with periods of fishing interspersed with periods of preening on the mud.

This is it preening

Kevin managed a better shot of it on Monday

Shelduck 125

Many of the Shelduck were feeding close to the foreshore rocks

Wigeon 175 - this group mistakenly landed in No.2 outflow. They normally rest in the channel just beyond. They can't rest in the outflow as they have to paddle furiously just to remain still. They quickly moved to the adjacent channel.

Rock,Pipits 2

On the saltmarsh 

Linnet 80

Lapwing 114

Little Egret 3

These are some of the Lapwing and a Little Egret amongst what remains of the Samphire. The Lapwing look as though they are in a slow moving queue, apart from the inevitable queue jumper.

Janet took these shots of  Carrion Crow with a cockle. They open the cockles by dropping them from height on to the rocks. A trick they picked up from the gulls. But, they are better at it than most gulls, who appear to drop almost at random, whereas the crows appear to target suitable rocks.

Just the routine stuff after minimal coverage.

A nice sunny day with a light northerly breeze.

Janet managed some nice shots of the Heysham Head Kestrel 

Male Kestrel

Goldfinch keeping a close eye on the Kestrel

I was busy all day today (MD). I had a quick look out to the shore from Knowlys Rd in passing, but couldn't locate any Brent Geese.

I also stopped off at the two main Ponds at Middleton Nature Reserve 

Mute swan 8 large cygnets no sign of the adults 

Coot 10

Moorhen 6

Gadwall 4

Tufted Duck 2

Male Tufted ducks just after surfacing 

This clip of three of the Gadwall ends with the beginning of a Long-Tailed Tit flock passing directly over my head. You can't see them but you can hear them.

Long-Tailed Tit passing overhead 

No reports from the south shore today, but all these birds would certainly have been present. Taken by Janet and Edward Wilkinson earlier in the week.

Wigeon and Oystercatcher out from Red Nab

Cormorant on No.2 outflow

Curlew - the above three shots by Janet

Little Egret

Turnstone- these two from Edward

Brent numbers still increasing, but only slowly.

A west to NW wind of varying strengths, but never very strong. A dry day after an overnight shower.

Pale-bellied Brent geese 19 - seen on the foreshore out from Knowlys Rd by David Kaye. Then later in the afternoon all 19 were on Red Nab (Shaun)

Also from Shaun:

Heysham Harbour 13:30-15:00 : 

Little Gull 2 - 1adult on No 2 and 1st cy behind Steam Packet ferry. 

Pink-footed Goose 64 across the bay from Barrow towards Pilling. 

Shelduck 121 

Wigeon 213. 

Rock Pipit pair.

Coal Tits at least 5 taking advantage of the regular visitor feeding stations by the car parking area (along with 5 Brown Rats and 3 Grey Squirrels)

The adult Little gull on No.2 outflow was alternating between feeding and resting on the mud. This is a clip of it feeding.

Adult Little gull resting between feeding sessions.

Great Spotted Woodpecker calling in Nature Park

I said shortly after the Redshank started returning from their breeding grounds, that they will barely get another mention. And so it has proved to be. Because they are ubiquitous they are often ignored. Shame really as they are an attractive bird, and they are missed when they are not around. These are some nice group shots from the other day, from Janet:

No.1 outflow is a favoured roost

And some plumage detail from Edward Wilkinson:

Winter plumaged Redshank 

More of the same.....literally.....but barely

Showers began mid morning then continued all day. West wind.

Pete Crooks checked the foreshore below Knowlys Road in the rain at 10.45 am 

16 Pale-bellied Brent Geese - 8 adults, 8 juvs, all unringed (5 more bird than yesterday)

Later in the afternoon all 16 were feeding on Red Nab.

Also from the south shore (MD)

Little Gull 3 at least (1 more than yesterday) - 2 first calendar year plus a second calendar year feeding on No.2 outflow. These are some of Janet's shots of yesterday's 1st calendar year bird trying to feed.

Trying, but not successful this time. This is an egg case of a catshark

One of today's 1cy and the 2cy Little gull. The 2cy has very little black in the wing tips

But underwing noticeably paler than adult

In the evening (evening! It was only 15:30, but almost dark in the rain). There were none on the outflow, but this adult/2cy was resting on Red Nab. Providing a nice size comparison with a young Black-Headed Gull.

Shelduck 12

Wigeon 150+

Female and male Wigeon, by Janet from yesterday 

Rock Pipit 2

Red-Throated Diver by the wooden jetty in the evening - seen by Alan Physick

Little gulls and Brents continue to oblige

Overnight rain followed by a couple of morning showers. The steady wind started SE and ended SW.

Only reports from the south wall today. 

Little Gull 2 minimum on No.2 outflow. At least one first calendar year seen by all observers and at least one, more elusive, adult seen at different times by at least Janet plus Kevin Shaw.

Janet's shots of the adult Little gull

Edward Wilkinson's shot of the 1st calendar year Little Gull

The 1st calendar year bird seemed particularly striking. This is it feeding.

Pale-bellied Brent geese 11 - they flew in to Red Nab from the north side at 12:30.

Janet's shot of the Brent geese arriving

At least 6 of these 11 were first calendar year birds. This is my shot of the leading six birds showing four to be youngsters.

The middle four birds are all first calendar year

Apart from that there was plenty to see, but only the regular birds. These are some more shots from Edward Wilkinson:

Male Wigeon - one of 100+ around

A nice Curlew sequence

Little Auk crowns an interesting day!

A fresher SSE wind. Early morning rain stopped about 09:00, it then remained dry all day with some sunny periods.

Little Auk 1 - spotted by Janet Packham on the rising tide mid morning. It was flying low and fast out from No.2 outflow in the middle of the south sea wall. Heading in the direction of the Lune estuary. Fortunately Janet had her camera, and it was fitted with a zoom lens. Even so, she had to be quick to get these excellent shots.

Little Auk - the last one seen in the recording area was December 2014

Pete advises that it could linger. Fingers crossed!

Pale-Bellied Brent geese 16 - a day in the life.... I checked the shore out from the play area on the north side as the tide was approaching the rocks (MD). There were 15 out from the rocks, they were feeding, but hardly enthusiastically.

They flew off to the south before the tide reached the rocks, and long before it would reach Red Nab.

When I got to Red Nab they were all drinking and bathing in the freshwater run off. They were certainly bathing enthusiastically! Watch the Oystercatcher at the end getting an unwelcome shower.

I left them to it, but Janet saw them leaving towards Potts Corner as both the tide and some dogs encroached. I had a walk along the wall this afternoon, the Brent were already back feeding on Red Nab as I walked out. When I was returning it was already getting dark (16:10), I could see them leaving the rocks and moving to the mud. They were obviously preparing to leave. 16 flew off and headed west, presumably to the other side of the bay for the night.

I

Little Gull 1 elusive adult - I'd checked as far as No.2 outflow in the morning. There was no sigh of it then. But it was present when both Kevin, then later Janet were at No.2 outflow.

Janet's shot of the Little gull

It wasn't there again when I went out in the afternoon. On the return leg one turned up, did one sweep of the outflow then settled on the mud for a preen. It seemed to have a darker head than Janet's bird, but the light was fading quickly.

Other stuff from the south shore:

These 8 immature Mute plus at least 1 adult were circling. Possibly the Middleton Nature Reserve birds taking flying practice (I've removed the sound as some passing dogs were barking).

Woodcock 1 - first autumn record, and an unusual but welcome one. It was on Red Nab, presumably grounded by the early rain. It allowed me a good shot (MD)

Woodcock as you never normally see them. Just after this shot it flew
to the middle of Red Nab, unfortunately landing out of sight

Great Crested Grebe - the harbour bird was in a mind to display its plumage.

Wigeon not counted but similar numbers to recent.

Shelduck 14

Pink-Footed goose 1000+ as I was coming through the Nature park on the way back this afternoon they were returning from their feeding grounds to their Fylde roost. Two very large groups passed directly over. This is just part of the first wave.