Saturday 31 October 2020

Strong winds, not really providing.....yet.

Strong wind all day, starting from south then moved SW. heavy showers throughout the day, but less frequent by the afternoon.

 Two orange flagged Knot were read on heliport wall - details awaited.

Whooper Swan - 13, including 2 juvenile were heading south before the heavy rain forced them to land on the sea out from Knowlys Rd (thanks to Mr Sharples for this record). 4 adult south 14:40.

Saltmarsh - high water 11:00.
Today's 9.08 metre high tide would not normally cover the saltmarsh, but with the southerly wind driving it in and the low atmospheric pressure, it did.
Common Snipe 2 (almost certainly more flushed earlier)
Jack Snipe 2
Linnet c40
Wigeon c50
Mallard 2

The only bird found to be sheltering in the harbour, was this Redwing!
The eye stripe breaks up the head shape quite effectively 

Middleton Nature Reserve "no swimming" pond
Gadwall 22
Shoveller 4
Little Grebe 2
Goldeneye 1 female
Two brief checks today,
This morning it was feeding


By 16:00 it was just preening and swimming around with the Gadwall