Glossy Ibis for Christmas..........so much better than turkey!

Overcast all day with several showers. The west wind had eased somewhat.

South Shore (MD)

I had planned to go along the sea wall at first light, but after yesterday's exertions I didn't really feel up to it. Fortunately, I went anyway and was very pleased that I did!

Glossy Ibis 1 - it was still quite dark when I reached the harbour, it was resting on one of the platforms near the waterfall and having a preen. The gulls were quite happy to share the roost with it, but they were getting restless and moving on, leaving it alone on the platform.

Glossy Ibis, the first record for the recording area

It decided to move on, and as soon at it took to the air the large gulls were unhappy. Initially they chased it to the east, but it returned a few minutes later. It looked to be heading for the Heliport then the sand works, but the gulls wouldn't let it settle again, and eventually "chased" it to the south.  Although the gulls weren't happy the Ibis pretty much ignored them as it was so much quicker than the gulls. It is more accurate to say the gulls followed it to the south.

Here it is zipping around the harbour before passing overhead and heading south.

A very distinctive profile when seen side on

Yesterday I had a brief, distant glimpse of a gull chasing off a dark "heron like" bird high over the Power Station to the east. I did wonder then if it could have been a Glossy Ibis. Today's record suggests that it almost certainly was. The significance being that it is hanging around. 

And it was still around this afternoon. Seen by Pete and Jean flying over Middleton Nature Reserve. So hopefully it will be around to be found again tomorrow.

Shag 1 - amazingly the Ibis wasn't the only bird of interest on the platform in the harbour. This shag was also resting there first thing. This is the first Shag record since July.

Immature Shag

Rock Pipits 2 (Red Nab and Waterfall)

Imperial Rd (MD)

An early afternoon check really just to see if the Ibis was feeding in the fields to the east. Not even a Little Egret today!

Buzzard 1

Perimeter fence de-railed.

A very heavy early morning shower, after that mainly dry with occasional light showers. The west wind continues but not quite as fresh.

South shore (MD)

A more interesting late morning walk along the sea wall than yesterday.

Pale-bellied Brent goose 22 flew south along the shipping lane

Goose sp 11 -  probably Pinkfoot, were even further out heading south

Wigeon 250+ they were more happy to settle on open water today. These are some of them coming in to land by No 2 outflow.

Kittiwake at least 1 adult and 2 first calendar year behind the lunchtime ferry, although they didn't follow it into the harbour.

The Manxman approaches the harbour more quickly than the Ben my Chree did

Great Crested Grebe 1 in the harbour. It normally favours the area near the waterfall, but today it was in the middle of the harbour. Possibly taking advantage of the silt disturbed by the dredger. The dredger is the smaller red and white boat at the end of this clip.

Nature Park:

Finches 100+ around the small anemometer. Mainly Goldfinch but also several Chaffinch and at least 2 Bullfinch.

Water Rail 1 - this is what today's title refers to. Unfortunately, it had somehow become ensnared on the barbed wire on top of the Power Station perimeter fence.

Water Rail 3m high and the fence surrounded by brambles.
At this point I wasn't certain if it was alive or dead

This short clip shows it to be alive and struggling (I stopped filming as soon as I knew it needed help). You may find it harrowing, but don't worry it has a happy ending, for the Rail at least!

I needed to find something to lean against the fence for me to climb on to allow the Rail to be in reach. I eventually found a fence plank that had been dislodged. Even so, I could only just reach the bird with one hand while I pulled the wire down with the other. It was well entangled, but no sign of any blood, I eventually managed to free it with only the loss of a few under feathers.

A weary, but largely unharmed Water Rail
It would never have managed to free itself

Fortunately, the ideal release site was close by. The Nature Park pond is protected with dog proof fencing. I released it there, it didn't try to fly but scurried for shelter by the water, had a drink then a preen and found somewhere to settle down.

Looks so much better than dangling on a wire!

All the above was on the way out at 10:40. It was still resting at the water's edge when I returned at 12:15.

Although I would never have found it if I hadn't have known where to look

The blue circle shows where it had been, you can just make out the few remaining under feathers.
The arrow points to the plank I scrambled up. Not the best exercise for someone just recovering from
 sciatica, but if it sets me back, so be it. I couldn't have left the Rail as it was - Malcolm 

Imperial Rd (MD)

Just a quick afternoon stop off in passing.

Buzzard 1 

Little Egret 6

Great clouds! But today's rain was just having a laugh.

Quite a fresh west wind. Overcast all day with showers, some very heavy.

South shore (MD)

I had a walk along the sea wall, timed to watch the lunchtime ferry arrive. I timed it perfectly, and so dod the rain. Fine all the way out and the way back, but the heavens opened just as the ferry rounded the wooden jetty. No chance of looking out to sea, but I don't think there was anything of interest, certainly nothing other than Herring, Lesser Black-Backed and Black Headed gulls followed it into the harbour.

There were several cormorants feeding in the harbour, these are two flying out. You can see the wind catching them as they reach the harbour mouth.

This is one of this year's youngsters having its wings blow dried.

First calendar year Cormorant 

Wigeon c150

Wigeon about to settle out of sight in the lee of No.2 outflow

Middleton Nature Reserve (MD)

There were a couple of light showers in the afternoon, it was raining when I called in at the main pond, so I didn't bother leaving my car.

Mute Swan pair plus 7 immature 

Coot 6

Moorhen 3

Mallard 14

Tufted Duck 2 male.

There isn't a need to leave your car to check the main pond, but I had to get out to check the "no swimming" pond. As soon as got there the heavens opened again and in the 50m walk back to my car I was completely sodden!

Gadwall 27

Moorhen 1

Grey Heron 1

This is the star of today's post, indeed it would be the star of most posts.

Nacreous clouds

Kevin Eaves took these beautiful shots yesterday "evening" (15:30).

Kevin also provided this explanation of the phenomena, courtesy of Chat GPT:

Nacreous clouds, also known as polar stratospheric clouds, are a rare and breathtaking meteorological phenomenon that occur in the winter polar regions. These ethereal clouds are known for their vibrant and iridescent colors, often resembling mother-of-pearl or nacre. Unlike regular clouds that form in the troposphere, nacreous clouds form in the stratosphere at altitudes of around 15 to 25 kilometers. They are composed of tiny ice crystals that create dazzling displays of colors when sunlight passes through them at specific angles. Nacreous clouds are not only a magnificent sight to behold, but they also play a role in the depletion of the ozone layer, as chemical reactions occurring within them contribute to the breakdown of ozone molecules.

Take solace in the solstice

Another overcast day with showers. The fresh west wind continued, but ended up NW.

Well, today was the shortest day. Technically the winter solstice is 03:30 in the morning, but "daylight" tomorrow is a full minute longer than it was today. On the slightly more sobering side, tomorrow is officially the first day of winter!

South Shore (MD)

Another morning walk along the sea wall, but a bit earlier in the ebb, at least there were still a few Wigeon around c150

As with most of this morning's birds, the priority was finding somewhere to shelter from the wind.

These are mainly Herring Gulls sheltering on No.2 outflow rocks

This group of Black-Headed gulls were also looking for somewhere to rest. Surprisingly, they decided on the beach, where they could barely stand!

Not all the gulls were hunkered down, there were a few Herring Gulls patrolling out from the 
harbour mouth. Hoping the rough sea would provide a feeding opportunity.

Grey Seal 1 - looks to be a male, in the middle of No.2 outflow.

Middleton Nature Reserve (MD)

Just a passing check of the two main ponds

Main Pond:

Mute Swan pair plus 7 immature 

Gadwall 4

Coot 4

No Swimming pond:

Gadwall 14

Mallard 16

Tufted Duck 2 male

Grey Heron 1

Moorhen 2

Three drakes - Gadwall, Tufted and Mallard

These are the Gadwall and Mallard, with a guest appearance by the Heron.

Not much........but it wasn't much of a day!

Low cloud all day producing rain for most of the day. A fresh west wind.

It was one of those days were it never really got light, and being one of the shortest daylight days of the year didn't help!

South shore (MD)

Just a late morning walk along the south sea wall was all I could manage today, and there was little to see as the tide was out.

A few waders feeding on the beach next to the wooden jetty.

Curlew 3

Bar-Tailed Godwit 1

Oystercatcher 11

Redshank 5

Nature Park:

Bullfinch 2 (male and female)

Mixed tit flock containing at least:

Long-Tailed Tit 6

Blue Tit 4

Great Tit 2

Goldcrest 1

Continuing yesterday's theme of local mammals, this Grey Squirrel was taking advantage of the seeds left by visitors for the birds.

Howard Stockdale managed to read more colour coded Knot over the set of spring tides that have just come to an end. Most on Near Naze or the Heliport roost. These are some examples of the colour coding methods used.

Mainly mammals

A dry and mainly sunny day after a shower at first light. The west wind continued to freshen throughout the day.

This male Kestrel was hovering over the horse paddocks at Knowlys Rd, at times level with Janet, allowing these excellent shots.

Male Kestrel

Pale-bellied Brent geese 17 - a check from Whinnysty Lane at low water saw them in the SE corner of the skear. I've not managed to get down there for a while, but it is likely that the only available weed there at the moment is broken weed along the waterline.

A check from Knowlys Rd a couple of hours later saw none, and none were on Red Nab in a quick afternoon check. They may have turned up later.

Imperial Rd (MD)

I always find it interesting just how much wildlife can be seen here in a small area of land surrounded by a bypass, a large substation and a recycling plant.

This clip is actually on the east side of the road. The fox headed for a rift in the field. I presume it was after a drink. Note how clean its bib is here.

When it emerges, it is liking its lips and its bib looks wet.

Roe Deer 3 a female with two youngsters a male and a female. These were on the west side of the road. This is the adult female, she crosses from the wetland where they had been feeding and ended up right beside the bypass. Note how she, and her youngsters later move quickly over the open ground.

She was followed by the young deer. At this time of year, the females have a white tuft on their rumps that looks like a tail.

This is the young female feeding, next to the bypass.

Also right next to the bypass, a flock of 8 Long-Tailed tits

More Brent.......less gutweed!

 Another overcast day with long periods of light rain. A light SW wind

South shore (MD)

Pale-bellied Brent geese 57 - there were clearly a lot on Red Nab, but they were spread out in family groups, making them difficult to count accurately, the most I managed while they were still feeding was 47.

The once lush gutweed here is now getting thin on the rocks, as both the Brent and the Wigeon feed on it.

No ringed birds were seen today. As the tide covered most of the rocks, they took to the water......

........before taking to the air and allowing a full count.

Wigeon c250

The Oystercatchers were earthworm catchers on the Ocean Edge grass.

At the saltmarsh:

Jack Snipe 1 flushed from the marsh edge, and landed on another section of marsh

Lapwing 76

Turnstone 3

This Curlew was calling regularly. I took a clip, but it was impossible to hear the call
over the wind noise, so I took a still instead

Not seen this dredger before the Iguazú.  It is a water injection dredger,
Basically it fluidises the mud which should then drift off with any current.

Middleton Nature Reserve (MD)

Just the briefest of checks.

Mute Swan the eighth immature bird has rejoined the other seven plus the adult pair.

Coot 5

Moorhen 2

Tufted Duck 2 male (on "no swimming" pond)

Gadwall 14 (on "no swimming" pond)

Grey Heron 1

First ringed Brent shows

A fresh S to SSW wind. Overcast with just the odd light shower.

North shore - report by Pete Crooks from Knowlys Road

51 Pale-bellied Brent Geese off the play area on the promenade. Initially scattered, but eventually resolved themselves into two distinct groups of 31 and 20, with the latter including a colour-ringed individual: Left leg – White P; Right Leg – White B. (This goose has been seen on previous years, so far no details. But there is hope that the scheme may be available on line "soon", let's hope so!)

South Shore 

Black-tailed Godwit was in the harbour wall roost - ref Stephen Dunstan

I just managed a morning walk along the sea wall (MD). Too early in the rising tide for the Brent to be feeding on Red Nab.

Wigeon 200+ this female appears to have selected a mate, but another 10 males are not so sure and vied for attention.

When she flew off, they all followed.

Cormorants heading to the wooden jetty

Adult and first year Great Black-Backed gull

Adult Herring Gull

Grey Seal 1 female in No.2 outflow

The Kestrels on Heysham Head, continue to show well, these are Janet's shots today.

Female Kestrel 

Plenty of Brent about

Somehow, it managed to stay dry, despite some threatening clouds. A SW wind freshened slightly.

Middleton Nature Reserve (JP, MD)

Mute Swan pair plus 7 immature 

Coot 5

Moorhen 4

Mallard 4

Gadwall 10 - 2 on main and 8 on "no swimming" pond which has now returned to its normal level.

Tufted Duck 2 male on "no swimming" pond.

Main pond Gadwall

The finches are taking advantage of the feeders

Goldfinch and Chaffinch

Goldfinch and Greenfinch 

Pale-bellied Brent goose 42

A quick look in passing from Knowlys Rd on the rising tide saw 34

Just as I arrived at Red Nab on the afternoon ebbing tide at least 28 landed from the south

But as I returned along the sea wall, as it was getting dark, 42 flew from Red Nab towards the west side of the bay.

Brent Geese heading west out from the wooden jetty

Also from the south wall this evening (MD)

Wigeon 250+ these are some of them leaving Red Nab

Eider 1 female/immature feeding at the seaward end of No.1 outflow. It appears to have a crab here.

Slightly unusual just seeing a solitary Redshank on No.1 outflow

The Manxman sails off into the sunset

A bit of raptor news from Angela Gillon:

Buzzard 1 in the trees at Imperial Road at lunchtime 

Kestrel 1 very low over the Barrows - these are only mobile phone shots but are perfectly good record and location shots.

Kestrel 

Low over the Barrows on Heysham Head

Swan down

Mainly overcast with just one shower this morning. A light SW wind

South shore (JP, MD)

Pale-bellied Brent geese 36 - 19 flew to Red Nab from NW at 10:10 then another 17 at 10:40.

Janet's shot of the 10:40 in to Red Nab

None seemed to be ringed, most are in this clip.

Shelduck 14

Wigeon 360

Great Crested grebe 1 feeding in the harbour near the waterfall.

Middleton Nature Reserve (MD)

Just a passing check of the two main Ponds

Main Pond:

Mute Swan pair but only 7 immature, looks like the estranged youngster yesterday may not have been accidental.

Coot 4

Moorhen 2

Mallard 10 plus 4 flying overhead 

Gadwall 4

"No swimming" pond:

The water level has now dropped to only 1m above its normal level.

Gadwall 19

Tufted 2 male

Male Tufted Duck

Grey Heron 1

Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 drumming

Cetti's Warbler 1 burst of song