100+ terns including Black and Arctic

The wind was much lighter today, but still mainly ENE. High cloud with some sunshine and very light afternoon showers.

Seawatch report from Jean:

0700-1000:

Arctic Skua 1 in at 0925hrs

Black Tern 1 in at 0828hrs

Arctic Tern 9 in ( none till 0828 and largest group was 3!)

Sandwich Tern 95 in (eventually)

Auk sp 4 

Common Scoter 79 in, 71 out but given their locations and timings probably different birds

Red-throated Diver 1 out

Black-headed Gull 42 in

Dunlin 30 in

Knot 140 in

Shelduck 6 on the water

Swallow 4 

Two distant white things resembled Little Egrets  flying into the Bay.

Wheatear 1 at Ocean Edge

Middleton Nature Reserve 

Ringing report from Alan:

The forecast for this morning with clear sky and NE breeze did not promise any migrants.  However, after a week of poor conditions and blustery winds we were keen to get out and set some nets.

The catch was much as expected, that is very low numbers, but rescued by two groups of four and three Lesser Redpolls.

Lesser Redpoll  7

Willow Warbler  2

Blackcap  1

Sedge Warbler  1

Goldfinch  1

Dunnock  1 retrap

Long tailed Tit  1 plus 1 retrap

Plenty of warblers taking up residence but little overhead movement noted. Seven Swallows flew low over the reserve northwards.  Better conditions for migrants expected later this week.

I had a walk around mid morning (MD)

Mute 2 pairs, no sign of the Tim Butler pond bird.

Greylag goose 2

Shelduck 1

Coot 4

Moorhen 3

Mallard 5 (1 female)

Gadwall 1 male

Swallow 9, minimal overlap if any with Alan's.

As Alan said, there were plenty of warblers on territory. The following heard singing:

Cetti's, Willow, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Sedge, Lesser Whitethroat and Common Whitethroat 

Singing male Common Whitethroat 

What Alan didn't say was that it was cold! Only two butterflies seen, a Small Tortoiseshell and this Green-veined White.

Green-veined White

Heysham skear - low water 14:45

Eider c80 close in

Red-breasted Merganser 6

Little Egret 3

Swallow 2

Waders:

Oystercatcher c2,000

Curlew 1

Whimbrel 8

Redshank c10

Turnstone c100

Dunlin c120

The light was better for seeing the Dunlin today, but their current plumage (half way to summer plumage) is a perfect match for the skear. They trust their camouflage and just move out of your way as you walk by.

Sandwich Tern just two of this morning's passage remained. They had been preening, but the tide had turned and they were getting ready to go off to feed.

Just a quick evening check from the north wall located

Shag 1 2nd calendar year 

Sandwich Tern 1

Swallow 2

Just out of the recording area - Heysham Moss Nature Reserve 

Yesterday's fire was very destructive. This shot from Janet is just some of the devastation.

Reuben had to call the fire brigade again as some areas were still smouldering down into the peat, and could easily have flared up again. As Reuben said, all a bit depressing!

On a brighter note Janet managed to spot 4 Roe Deer in an area not affected by the fire.

Female Roe Deer