Gadwall numbers continue to increase

Overnight frost left thin ice on the shallowest pools. The very light breeze varied from NE to NW with some calm periods in between. Sun for most of the day.

Heliport area

Unfortunately, a very active Peregrine Falcon flushed the Knot from the sea wall. Today's tide was the last in this set of spring tides. The next set starts in 10 days and are higher, so hopefully further opportunities for the ringed Knot to be read.

Middleton Nature Reserve 

I had a short walk around (MD)

Mute Swan 2 adult plus 9 cygnets 

Moorhen 11

Mallard 14

Gadwall 38 - I think this is the highest count this year and equals the peak for 2020. 32 on the "no swimming" pond plus 6 on the main pond.

Wigeon 2 - this pair were feeding with the three pair of Gadwall on the main pond. This clip has the Wigeon pair on the left with a pair of Gadwall on the right. The drakes are easy, the bills on the ducks are the best separator.

Little grebe 2 on "no swimming" pond

Thrushes - a few more feeding on Hawthorn berries today.

Song Thrush 2

Blackbird 37

Redwing 28

Redwing 

Grey Wagtail 1 - finding small insects 

As ever when there are lots of birds, the bird predators turn up (as per Peregrine on Heliport this morning). 

Here a more modest Sparrowhawk 

Juvenile Sparrowhawk 

Red Nab

Just a quick check on the way home. No sign of the Brent goose today, but the tide had only just reached the outer rocks.

Wigeon c150

Shelduck 127 - most on mud out from the foreshore 

Grey Heron 1

Little Egret 3

Greenfinch, just a couple flitting about

Finally, just a couple of images to show how much the light, particularly low winter sun, and location affect the appearance of a bird. This clip is the Grey Heron resting on the peninsula of the main pond at Middleton. The ripples of light reflecting across its back give it a very serene appearance.

In contrast, the Grey Heron resting on Red Nab rocks had its back to the light, and looks, for all the world, to be straight out of a Dracula movie! 

Grey Heron on Red Nab, looking very black!
Oh..... is that a 1971 type Grab Hopper Dredger in the background