Saturday 2 October 2021

Thundering in the 'ears

A very heavy early morning thunderstorm. Rain pretty much all day alternating between heavy and quite heavy! The wind had shifted to SSE.

First, Howard had a look on the skear at low water yesterday afternoon and took these crisp shots (only really crisp when opened)
Bar-Tailed Godwit


Some of the Knot feeding in small flocks

The only stuff I have from today are my morning checks (MD).
South shore at high water this morning 09:00
Mediterranean gull - at least 6 adult/3rd calendar year plus 2 2nd calendar year. One benefit of an easterly wind is that the gulls on Red Nab face you, making identification a bit easier.
These are the two 2cy Meds. One on the left is clear to see, the second not
so obvious on this shot, it's second from the right behind the adult Med

Wigeon 39, numbers growing quickly 
White Wagtail 1 male near the lighthouse (during a particularly heavy squall)
Rock Pipit 4 on Red Nab
Wheatear 6 on Red Nab and foreshore, this is a high number for this time of year, presumably grounded by the thunderstorm.
One of today's Wheatear sheltering from the wind and rain behind 
the rubble on the foreshore 

Middleton Nature Reserve 
Just a five minute check on the way home.
The Mute family are back on the main pond
Gadwall 18
Mallard 2 male, seemed to have attached themselves to a female Gadwall each.