The NW stiff breeze was icy. The sun shone for most of the day, but the temperature never got over 10C. An odd shower by evening.
Heysham Head
Last night, Pete advised that this morning's conditions should provide Whooper Swan and possibly Snow Bunting, so this morning Jean braced the cold wind for a vis check from Heysham Head and managed both!
Jean's report:
It was quality rather than quantity over Heysham Head this morning from 0825-0920
Whooper Swan 2
Brambling 1
Snow Bunting 1
Siskin 4
Skylark 4
Chaffinch 4
Jackdaw 2
There were 20 Carrion Crows on the skear.
Pete's comprehensive low tide channel wildfowl count this am from Knowlys:
71 Eider
21 or 22 Great Crested Grebe
13 (7 plus 6) Red-breasted Merganser
South Shore on morning rising tide (MD)
Linnet 45 on saltmarsh
 |
| A few of the Linnet |
Shelduck 93
Wigeon 26
Meadow Pipit 1
Rock Pipit 1 - both pipits on foreshore
There were hardly any gulls on outflows or waterfall
Mediterranean gull 1 2nd calendar year flew south past the end of the wooden jetty. None feeding on the beach.
Middleton Nature Reserve
A nice walk in the afternoon sun
Mute 2 adult with 9 moulting immature
Coot 1
Moorhen 10
Gadwall 27
Mallard 14
Teal 2
Cetti's warbler 1 calling from Tim Butler pond
Redwing 15+ at least 2 feeding on hawthorn near Tradebe with 5+ Blackbird. Groups of 3 and 10 blogging on the east side.
Buzzard 1 to south
Sparrowhawk 1 feeding
Insects:
1 Large dark underwing butterfly could only have been Red Admiral or Peacock, but not seen a Peacock for some while.
Common Darter 13+ all but one male
This is the only female seen, she is eating a large fly, although most of the actual eating is hidden from view.
