First Wigeon returns

Light variable wind settled to west by the afternoon. High cloud in the morning sunny spells increasing in length throughout the day.

First, an apology. Yesterday, for some inexplicable reason, I originally posted Rochdale as the location for Doreen's funeral. It is actually Reading. Very sorry if I caused any confusion - Malcolm

Middleton Nature Reserve 

I did a thorough check of the oaks near the top car park and gun club, but couldn't find the Purple Hairstreak (MD).

But there was plenty going on, there were, at least

Swallow 16

House Martin 4

Swift 6

Feeding over the main pond.

Insects included

Emperor 2

Brown Hawker 1

Common Darter several 

Meadow Brown several 

Gatekeeper several 

Speckled Wood 4

Large White 2

Common Blue 5

Peacock 1

Green-Veined White 2

Brimstone 1 male

Janet also checked the same area and took some excellent shots:

Swallows

House Martin 

Male Common Darter

Female Common Blue

Male Brimstone 

Heysham skear, low water 15:20 (MD)

Shag 1 x 2nd calendar year waiting on a Honeycomb worm colony for the tide to start running.

Great Crested Grebe 7 - this one flew off, giving a nice view of their unique flight.

Wigeon 1 male in eclipse - I was pleased with this, as I actually saw it fly in high from the east before landing just north of the skear.

It immediately waddled up the sand bar, sat down and tucked its head under its wing and didn't move again till the tide rudely awoke it. Even then it thought about having another snooze. I got the impression that it had flown some distance.

It eventually flew off towards the south side, possibly estuary bound.

Waders - as well as the Oystercatcher, Curlew, Redshank and Turnstone there were

Ringed Plover 8

Dunlin 3

South wall (MD)

Just an evening stroll as far as the outflows and back.

Whimbrel 1

Redshank 50+

Turnstone 6

Dunlin 11

Turnstone, Redshank and Dunlin, about to be displaced from No.1 outflow