More Whooper, a very late Whitethroat and a Pallid Swift alert!

A light SSE wind shifted to SW mid morning. Showers during the morning, but largely sunny in the afternoon.

First the Pallid Swift alert (Pete)

As regards Pallid Swift, proof requires scrutiny of good video unless point blank views in decent light which should be backed up by pics.  The HeySham bird was almost certainly searching for a roost site when seen to be taken by a Sparrowhawk by Caroline and Nick.  Earlier in the day walney had a southbound fly-through and at 1700hrs Leighton had one which by all accounts sadly eluded all the cameras.  As far as we are aware, all the identified birds in this influx have been Pallid but less than half have been seen/filmed well enough to be sure 

South shore

Whooper Swan 6 (1 juvenile) originally on the shore out from the saltmarsh before the flooding tide moved them on (record and pictures from Mark Jones)

Whooper Swans

Rock Pipits 2 on Red Nab - these two seem to be in constant conflict. They were flying around when Janet took these shots

I checked as the tide was almost full (MD)

Wigeon 47 out from the saltmarsh 

Linnet c60 plus Goldfinch c20 around saltmarsh edges

Reed Bunting 1

Kevin Eaves spotted this Greylag Goose in the harbour 

Greylag Goose 

Middleton Nature Reserve (MD)

Wildfowl unchanged except there was an additional Little Grebe on the "no swimming" pond. It wasn't welcomed!

Little grebe 

Thrushes feeding on hawthorn berries

Blackbird 6

Redwing 4 

Redwing 

Janet managed a glimpse of this bird in the southern section of the reserve. She thought Common Whitethroat, but it should be much too late for them. But after very careful scrutiny by Pete and others, it turned out that's what it was....

Common Whitethroat - a really late record.

Janet did well getting these shots, not much, but just
enough to confirm Common Whitethroat 

Insects:

It was warm, particularly in the afternoon. I saw Common Darters (all male) everywhere I went

Saltmarsh 1

Nature Park 1

Middleton 4

Imperial Road 3

One of today's Common Darters

The only butterfly seen was a Red Admiral on Imperial Road