Thursday 1 April 2021

More Whoopers and a Med

The wind had shifted to NE and was significantly cooler. It remained dry with some sunshine.

A check of south side by Pete 
Mediterranean gull 1 - 2nd calendar year bird on outflow
Whooper swan 16 resting on the mud flats

Jean kept out of the cool ENE wind on Heysham Head:

Whooper Swan flocks of 20 and 16

Meadow Pipit 50

Alba Wagtail 6

Grey Wagtail 1

Swallow 6

Chaffinch 1

Rock Pipit 1 - definitely on the move heading north

Rook 2 (first of year - not common here)

Carrion Crow 8


In the low tide channels:

Eider 132

Great Crested Grebe 7

Red-breasted Merganser 4 pairs and 2 extra females



Middleton Nature Reserve 
Red Admiral - I initially posted this record yesterday as being from Heysham Nature Reserve but it was Middleton (my error (MD)). Janet saw it here again this morning.
A fine male Great Tit in full song

Rock Pipits - there were at least 2 between Heysham Head and the high cliffs. None seen/reported from south shore so far.
One of yesterday's Harbour Rock Pipits - by David Talbot

Another colour ringed immature Herring gull in the Harbour today.
This one is part of a NW UK scheme - details awaited.
(I managed to resist the temptation to say something about the 
yawning adult - well, almost)