Sunday 18 April 2021

Marsh Harrier over and Middleton Barn Owl confirmed

Again the very slight breeze started from south before freshening slightly and drifting round to the west. Some hazy sunshine, but mainly overcast

Middleton Nature Reserve 
Ringing report from Alan:
After John's five bird ringing session yesterday, I managed five again today, plus three retraps. A poor catch considering my nets were set from just after 05.30.  What air movement there was came from the south, not a good direction for here - SE to E is much better in spring.

Lesser Redpoll  4
Blackcap  1

Three Swallows moving north were the only migrants noted.  The highlight was a Barn Owl hunting over the northend of the western and central marshes between around 10.00 and 10.15 

North shore
Marsh Harrier 1 high heading north - seen by Pete

Report from Pete Crooks:

Heysham Head (7.50 – 9.20 am) 

 c.210 Eider

8 Red-breasted Merganser

4 Great Crested Grebe

15 Sandwich Tern 

2 Grey Seal, but no offshore seabird movement on the falling tide. 

2 Tree Pipit flew overhead together calling (first record of the year for here)


I also checked from the water line and resulted in a similar count of Sandwich Terns (13 between 08:15 and 09:00 with a later 3 at 10:10(MD))


I managed a slightly better feeding sequence, but it left empty billed on this occasion 



This one is calling, a surprisingly small opening for so much noise!