The fresh NW cold wind continued, although not quite as biting as yesterday. Largely sunny in the morning, but snow then hail showers and sunshine in the afternoon.
South shore
Shelduck 26
Wheatears 4
Linnet 2
Rock pipits 5 (1 briefly on foreshore then Red Nab, 2 between lighthouse and waterfall, 2 "agitated" near the, now locked, gate the other side of the waterfall (where Fishers building is being stripped). But the agitation appeared to be due to the dredger working very close to the wall (nest site?).
This is one of the birds between the lighthouse and waterfall, I was trying to see if it was ringed on the right leg (see post 4/4/21), but it was hunkered down against the cold wind, and protected its right leg with all the skill of a fan dancer (MD)
So I cheated and snook around and took a shot from backstage Middleton Nature Reserve - checked by Josh Hedley in the morning
Canada Goose- 2
Mute Swan- 11 on the main pond and another single on the "no-swimming" pond.
Jay- 3 together
Willow Warbler- 2 singing
Chiffchaff- 6
Blackcap- 2 singing
Blue Tit by Janet - it's yellow face evidence of it feeding in the catkins. |
North Shore
Red Throated Diver 3 in an hour - ref Pete
Rock Pipits 2 Heysham Head - ref Josh
Osprey 1 was reported heading south along Morecambe Promenade in the afternoon, it isn't clear yet whether it entered Heysham air space or not.
Heysham Nature Reserve - afternoon
By this time there were short but heavy snow and hail showers, but in between the sun shone.
Chiffchaff 4
Willow Warbler 2
This short clip gives you an idea of the ferocity of the showers, not just the snow, but the wind increased too
To be fair, the warblers didn't actually sing through this, but they did continue calling, although, drowned out by the wind in this clip.
Roe deer 2, I only managed a glimpse of them disappearing. Unfortunately, not enough to establish if it was a doe with a fawn.
This is my favourite "wild" flower - Snake's Head Fritillary When and how it became established here is not clear, but it has been self sustaining on the reserve for many years. |
There is seldom any milage in videoing flowers, but this clip of these delicate blooms in a hailstorm, to me, has a unique beauty! (MD)