There were signs of subtle and off passage birds.
Water's edge out from Half Moon Bay around low water 09:45
No sign of any tern passage
Whimbrel 2 feeding on skeer
Curlew several feeding individuals on skeer but also a small group of 8 that flew off north together
Great-crested grebe 12 feeding plus one that flew in
Red-breasted merganser 8
Eider 5
Little Egret - one, presumably the regular bird here, was feeding (see post 25/04), then three other birds came from the east (not bearing gifts) and settled around it. The regular bird stopped feeding and just stood there till the three flew off north. As soon as they left, it started looking for food again. It didn't seem to want share it's technique. (MD)
The regular bird is the middle one here - a Heysham standoff!
Middleton Nature Reserve - early afternoon ref Janet
There seemed to be more Lesser Whitethroat around than recently.
Buzzard 2 over, very high
Kestrel 1 high plus this one feeding.
One of the "no swimming" pond Moorhens busy at work.
South shore - high water 15:15
Rock Pipit one in nesting area near lighthouse plus pair on Red Nab
Canada goose - the two itinerant birds were taking advantage of the gut weed, which is becoming lush again in the warmer weather, and the lack of grazing by the Wigeon and Brent geese that have moved on
Just someting to consider, if you plan to walk along the water line at Heysham, apart from the obvious - don't walk into soft mud!
I could see the Sea Cat approaching Heysham Harbour.
I knew what would happen next, the Cat turns to enter the harbour.
But it's wake keeps coming. I had anticipated this and moved up the beach. But the power of the wake as it traveled across the bay was sufficient for it to break as it passed over the already submerged sand bars.
The wakes from the normal ferries act differently, much larger displacement but slower pace. Always be aware of boats both coming in and leaving. Although in reality, the main risk is of getting wet feet, not being swept away.
