A lot going on again

A light WNW wind in the morning with sunny spells, showers developed by the afternoon.

North shore

Pete and Jean managed a mid morning check from Knowlys Rd. 

Great White Egret on skeer edge about 1.5 miles to the north

Pale-bellied Brent 26 off play area close inshore 

Later in the morning, more had come in resulting in a total of 32 near the play area - ref Kevin Singleton 

I checked the skear at low water 10:20 (MD)

Eider 50+

Great Crested Grebe 10

Red-breasted Merganser 2

Knot c500

No Brent feeding in the corner, so I had a look at the birds near the play area, where this white ringed Black-Headed Gull was resting.

Black-Headed gull. Ringed in Germany as an adult 22/03/13
Seen in Heysham each winter since 2018-19

Middleton Nature Reserve 

Just a quick look at the two main ponds

Mute and Moorhen unchanged 

Mallard 4

Gadwall 21 all on "no swimming" pond

Shoveler 1 male - showing well today, but no sign of a female

South shore mid afternoon 

Shelduck 32

Wigeon c120

Pale-bellied Brent goose - these 27 flew from the north side at 14:30 and landed on Red Nab, they were still feeding there at 15:30, including the two Canadian ringed birds. This is them coming in.

Rock Pipit 2 on Red Nab

Shag - 2 birds roosting on wooden jetty with the Cormorants looked likely candidates, but they steadfastly refused to show their profile..........and I have no patience! (MD)

Red-Throated Diver 1 - still in the harbour but on the far side today, away from two active dredgers.

First, these excellent pictures of it from yesterday by Dave Tregidgo:

Red-Throated Diver

Yesterday it was constantly diving, today it was much more relaxed and was just preening, I suspect that it had already eaten.