Raptors on the move

A dry day after an early morning shower. Sunny spells and a light variable breeze.

South shore (Malcolm) 08:30 - 10:15

Linnet 45 around the saltmarsh 

Linnet

Carrion Crow 27 minimum, 21 flew in together, they had probably been feeding near the water line, rather than coming in/off. 13 flew to the east 8 to the north

These are the 13 that flew east

One of the saltmarsh Carrion Crows

Shelduck 1

Shelduck heading south

Mediterranean gulls 5 - 2 adult a second calendar year and 2 juvenile 

Two Mediterranean gulls flying across the shore. 2cy bird top

Two juvenile and an adult Black-Headed gull

Heron having a rest on No.2 outfall rail

Redshank 39 

Turnstone 16

Some of the Redshank 

Osprey 1  - it was fishing between the outfalls, not the same bird as yesterday which had an obvious white patch on its upper wing. 

It doesn't catch a fish this time.....

The next time it dived it came up with a Bass

It only got one talon in, but it was enough 

Another bird with no ring

It soon got a decent grip and flew off to the south.

This report from Adam is from the south of the recording area, but almost certainly involving birds from within the area.

Preesall: This morning in just over an hour had 51 buzzards and 7 Sparrowhawks go south looking from house in Pressall. All picked up coming south from maybe Heysham sort of direction quite high then gaining more height overland and continuing south .

Middleton Nature Reserve 

Janet checked early afternoon 

Black Darter 1 male near the pond on the southern section of the reserve

Male Black Darter - first record within the recording area this year

One of several Common Darters
Migrant Hawker also seen

Red Admiral 

Green-Veined White

The insects love the Devil's-bit scabious

Small Tortoiseshell 

Painted Lady

Two of four Painted Lady feeding here

Large White

Bumblebee sp

Drone fly sp

Chiffchaff 1 heard singing

I checked later in the afternoon (Malcolm). Unfortunately by that time it had clouded over.

Please note that access to the sides of the main pond is now cut off by new fencing. Although this can be a bit frustrating for those wanting to view the wildlife here, particularly dragonflies, it is to protect the wildlife from the excessive disturbance it has experienced over the last few years, culminating in the male Swan being attacked by a dog.

Perhaps the benefits of no disturbance are already having an effect. Apart from the Female Mute Swan with her 7 remaining cygnets, 11 Coot, and 10 semi tame Mallard, today there were 

Tufted Duck 11

Gadwall 2

Most of the Tufted Ducks

Not only were the Tufted here, they were also relaxed. They were mainly dozing.

Male Gadwall, already largely out of eclipse plumage

Male and female Gadwall feeding

Surprisingly the water level on the "no swimming" pond is 1m above its normal level. Very unusual for this time of year. There were also 6 Gadwall on the pond. Another 3 on the fence pond bringing the total to 9

Gadwall on the Fence Pond

Moorhen 3

Coot 15 total including several young

Grey Heron 1

Cormorant 1

Swallow 3

Cetti's warbler 2 singing

Blackcap 1 singing 

Chiffchaff 2 calling

A few highlights, despite the miserable weather!

Heavy showers throughout the day, with the odd sunny spell. Quite a fresh SE wind switching to SW by evening.

South shore (Malcolm) 10:15 - 11:30

Linnet 17 on the saltmarsh, 3 on Red Nab

Rock Pipit 1 on the saltmarsh, 3 on Red Nab

Whimbrel 1 flew out from the foreshore

Mediterranean gull 20 - 11 on Red Nab, including 1 juvenile. 9 on the feeding beach all adult type.

I was pleased to see some Meds on the feeding beach, as an Osprey was attempting to fish whenever the rain eased. In the past one sight of an Osprey was enough to clear this beach. I don't know if it was just too miserable to move or that the gulls are becoming less wary of the increasingly regular Osprey visits.

At times the Osprey was directly over the feeding beach.
That's the old lighthouse on the wooden jetty 

Meanwhile, the gulls were resting close to the waterline
Four Mediterranean gulls in the foreground 

The Osprey had been fishing through some quite heavy rain, but it was time for a rest.

It had  good shakedown 

No rings

After another failed search for a fish it rested on the rail of No.2 outfall.
It was around for the full duration of my walk

Shag 1 juvenile, initially in the harbour mouth

These shots look to be out of focus, but it is just the effect of looking 
through a thousand raindrops

It flew to the wooden jetty

Just coming in to land

Home, but not dry!

Heysham skear (Malcolm) 13:00 - 13:45

It doesn't take long to walk around what little is exposed on these very low neap tides. There wasn't really much to see, but at least it was dry for most of the time.

Oystercatcher, Curlew, Redshank and Turnstone similar numbers to recent visits 

Less gulls than recent 120 large gulls, mainly Herring, 20 Black-Headed

No Eider or Mergansers seen.

Great Crested grebe 5

Little Egret 3

Little Egret in a brief sunny spell

Sandmason worm tubes probably the most important sighting today

A fresh south wind, dry for most of the morning, then heavy showers from late morning to early afternoon, then sunny spells.

South shore ((Malcolm) 08:45 - 10:15

Starlings 40 around the saltmarsh 

Starlings rarely get a mention, but large numbers gather on the brambles 
both here and near the lighthouse, at this time of year

Linnet 5 on the saltmarsh plus 3 on Red Nab

Two young Linnet being fed on Red Nab

Wheatear 1 on Red Nab

Wheatear on the red sandstone that forms Red Nab

Rock Pipit 5 - 3 on Red Nab one near No.1 outfall and 1 near the waterfall 

Red Nab Rock Pipit

Mediterranean gull 25 - 10 on Red Nab 15 on the feeding beach by the wooden jetty, including 6 juveniles.

Some of the Meds on Red Nab. Two white ringed birds were seen,
both seen previously this summer

Most of the Meds on the feeding beach were along the waterline, there are
signs of the Sandmasonworm tubes beginning to extend above the mud again.
Juvenile Mediterranean gull left and juvenile Black-Headed gull right

The tubes are also starting to show again just below the sea wall. Hopefully,
by the next set of spring tides, they will be providing good feeding opportunities
for the Meds. Three adult Meds were here today, but I didn't see them feeding.

A nice size comparison shot. From left to right:
Black-Headed, Great Black-Backed and Herring gulls

Cormorant in the harbour 

Plenty going on in the Nature Park

Migrant Hawker 1

Common Darter 6

Large White 11

Small White 5

Green-Veined White 1

Red Admiral 6

Painted Lady 1

Speckled Wood 3

Common Blue 1 very faded

Green-Veined White female

Large White female

Large White male

Janet had a look this afternoon 

Oystercatchers lifted from Red Nab by a dog

Male Common Darter

Painted Lady