The vernal equinox

Today is the official beginning of spring.

The wind started quite light from NW, but freshened as the morning went on. A few sunny spells, but mainly overcast.

Middleton Nature Reserve early morning - ref Alan

13 Whooper Swans flew north west towards the bay at 07.35

Two or three pairs of probable Meadow Pipits flew across the reserve SE to NW.

Three Canada Geese using the recently cleared area on North side of reed bed.

North shore - low water 09:35

A walk along the low water line from Half Moon Bay to the skeer.

Meadow Pipits, increased movement from yesterday, when there were very few away from the shore line. Not all the birds seen were heard, but at least 25 were Meadow pipits in about 30 minutes.

Pale-bellied Brent goose 6 on the south side of skeer

Goldeneye 3 - 1 male and two female type birds swimming together near the skeer

Eider, Great Crested grebe  and Red-breasted Merganser were well spread and not easy to count in the choppy conditions, but numbers looked similar to yesterday.

A walk back along Heysham Head foreshore

Rock Pipits - a very minimum of four birds and two territories between the Head and the high cliffs.

I wasn't welcome and was led away from the area, presumably by the respective males.

This Rock pipit escorted me away from the territory below the high cliffs.