Heysham Obs
Ad & 1st W Little Gull still on the outfalls [very unusual they have remained in calm weather & not the odd Kittiwake]. Ad & 1st W Med Gull along the north harbour wall. 5+ Shag in the harbour. Very distant Red-throated Diver flying out & possibly another distant bird floating in. Flock of 70 Pink-footed Geese heading NW.
Middleton IE WeBS etc: 21 Teal, 5 Mallard, 5 Tufted Duck, 14 Coot, 1 Little Grebe, 4 Mute Swan, 4 Moorhen, 1 Goldeneye, 16 Snipe, 1 Woodcock, 1 female Stonechat.......and the first singing Skylark of the year.
Elsewhere
The most startling records were on the theme of apparent movements of (typically early but not usually this early) passerine species. Stonechat at Cockersands increased to 6 and a flock of 40 Skylark were recorded at Wenning Foot on the Lune - an area where there were none in the winter survey (strictly coastal or coastal stubble). A Greenshank was reported on the Lune floodplain and the two at Conder, along with 2/3 Spotted Redshank were also seen today. An adult Med Gull coming into summer plumage was also seen at the Conder.
