Highest Med count for two years!

Winds mainly from SW, occasional sunny spells and the showers held off till evening.

South Shore

Report from Pete:

Heysham outfalls area: Comprehensive Med count based on Ocean edge foreshore watching incoming tide.  

Mediterranean gull 63 comprising 35 ad, 14 each of 3cy and 2cy.  32 of these flew over to Lune estuary before rocks covered at all but many still on Red nab at 1317 with no disturbance today.  One green ringed ad but most of the observations of flying birds. 

Curlew 420

Whimbrel 1 - About on time for return 

I had a look at high water 13:40 (MD)

There were still at least 10 adult on the remaining Red Nab rocks, but most sat down so no rings seen, plus one with the BHGs on saltmarsh. Pete advises that this means at least 4-5 to add to his total.

Rock Pipit 1 on Red Nab, no sign of any near the lighthouse, so all three options are possible (young still in nest, young fledged and being fed elsewhere or the young failed to fledge - I'll continue checking)

Hummingbird Hawkmoth 1 - located resting on the pebble shore of saltmarsh just where I saw one last Friday. I assumed then that it was just passing through, but I now suspect it is feeding on the impressive Thistle stand near the bank and resting on the shoreline when not feeding. It is very difficult to find when resting, so checks of the Thistles is probably the best bet for relocation. This is where it was resting today, this spot is 100m north of the saltmarsh slipway.

The circle is where the Hummingbird Hawkmoth was resting today.
You can see the Thistles on the other side of the banking

Hummingbird Hawkmoth 

These are the Thistles where I suspect it is feeding, when conditions are favourable (MD)

Middleton Nature Reserve (MD)

Just a short morning walk exercising my daughter's dog, so didn't go near the ponds (daren't take him back dirty!).

Little Grebe 2 adult plus 2 large juveniles feeding on the main pond, easily visible from the top car park.

Stock Dove 1 flew towards the water treatment plant

Stock Dove

It was coolish and overcast, but there were still a few insects around

Butterflies:

Ringlet 10

Meadow Brown 2

Small Heath 1

Large Skipper 1

Dragonflies 

Emperor 1

Common Darter 1