A poorly timed squall?

The strong wind was much less north than forecast, more or less due west. Some short heavy showers in the morning with increasing periods of sunshine throughout the day.

Heliport wall - Howard

Two more colour ringed Knot read:

Another excellent in flight shot

Another great shot, but what I really like are the two Oystercatcher
eyes peering from bottom left (MD)

Middleton Nature Reserve 

Just a quick check of the wildfowl, things pretty much the same, but today's Shoveler combination was one male in full breeding plumage plus three female. Four male Tufted. Two each Coot and Little grebe one trilling. This clip is really about Coot feeding, but includes: Mallard, Gadwall, Shoveler and Tufted:

South shore late morning (MD)

Pale-bellied Brent Goose 22 on Red before moving off towards Potts Corner

Greylag Goose 4 flew into the bay

Shelduck 5

Wigeon 278 (again counted as they moved in to Red Nab)

Eider 4 male out

Rock Pipit 1 near waterfall 

Shag at least one second calendar year bird. This one was on the steps near the lighthouse. It looked at me then totally ignored me. When I have seen Shag here before, they have hauled themselves out of the sea, exhausted by a storm. But not sure about this bird. I didn't disturb it, but when I looked again later it had moved off. It or another bird was seen flying out a little later. This clip shows the location.

Either way it gave me an opportunity to look a better photographer than I actually am!

Second calendar year Shag

Immature Shag flying out of the harbour 

I hadn't planned on waiting for the ferry, but as I was about to leave I saw it on the horizon, the wind was a much better direction and stronger than I had expected, so I decided to wait. I watched it all the way in till about a mile out, then it disappeared in the middle of a heavy squall. All clear again by the time it arrived, unfortunately all clear of any interesting gulls too! Pete advises that following gulls often fly off ahead of an approaching squall. Still, mustn't grumble it was a decent walk.