Snow Bunting.......also on cue!

The NW stiff breeze was icy. The sun shone for most of the day, but the temperature never got over 10C. An odd shower by evening.

Heysham Head 

Last night, Pete advised that this morning's conditions should provide Whooper Swan and possibly Snow Bunting, so this morning Jean braced the cold wind for a vis check from Heysham Head and managed both!

Jean's report:

It was quality rather than quantity over Heysham Head this morning from 0825-0920

Whooper Swan 2

Brambling 1

Snow Bunting 1

Siskin 4

Skylark 4

Chaffinch 4

Jackdaw 2

There were 20 Carrion Crows on the skear.

Pete's comprehensive low tide channel wildfowl count this am from Knowlys:

71 Eider

21 or 22 Great Crested Grebe 

13 (7 plus 6) Red-breasted Merganser 

South Shore on morning rising tide (MD)

Linnet 45 on saltmarsh 

A few of the Linnet 

Shelduck 93

Wigeon 26

Meadow Pipit 1

Rock Pipit 1 - both pipits on foreshore

There were hardly any gulls on outflows or waterfall 

Mediterranean gull 1 2nd calendar year flew south past the end of the wooden jetty. None feeding on the beach.

Middleton Nature Reserve 

A nice walk in the afternoon sun

Mute 2 adult with 9 moulting immature 

Coot 1

Moorhen 10

Gadwall 27

Mallard 14

Teal 2

Cetti's warbler 1 calling from Tim Butler pond

Redwing 15+ at least 2 feeding on hawthorn near Tradebe with 5+ Blackbird. Groups of 3 and 10 blogging on the east side.

Buzzard 1 to south

Sparrowhawk 1 feeding

Insects:

1 Large dark underwing butterfly could only have been Red Admiral or Peacock, but not seen a Peacock for some while.

Common Darter 13+ all but one male

This is the only female seen, she is eating a large fly, although most of the actual eating is hidden from view.