Grebe wars

Strengthening SW winds, showers early on developing to almost constant rain.

Only my stuff so far, possibly more to come (MD)

Ocean Edge area - high water 08:45

The 7.9 metre tide is not high enough to cover the mud, but it does bring the waders closer in. Nothing exciting today but still plenty around the saltmarsh:

Shelduck c30

Wigeon 3

Little Egret surprisingly only 1

Lapwing 77

Knot 63

Grey Plover 1

Redshank c20

Oystercatcher c100

Curlew 6

Common Snipe 1

Rock Pipit 3 (2 on the rocky promontory on east side plus 1 on foreshore)

Linnet 48 - a big increase on recent checks

Middleton Nature Reserve "no swimming" pond

I just had a quick look before the rain became constant.

Gadwall 10

Shoveller 6 - I think this is the highest count from here. 2 female type birds plus 4 males in varying stages of eclipse/first winter plumage.

This male was very "distinctive"

Little Grebe - at least 5 birds, probably more, including at least 2 in partial summer plumage. Pete advises that the influx is probably birds displaced by flood water in the river Lune/Conder.

Unfortunately, the refugees were not welcome! 

Everywhere I looked one bird seemed to be chasing another.

Most were direct charges 

But these two appear to be setting off for a honourable duel

Including seconds!