Low winter sun, is pleasant, but it can be a nuisance!

The strong overnight winds had eased before sunrise leaving light, mainly southerly wind all day. High cloud resulting in plenty of sunshine.

South shore (MD)

An early check.

Lapwing 110 out from saltmarsh 

Shelduck just 10

Wigeon 94 Red Nab to No.2 outflow

Eider 1 out from harbour 

Skylark 4 SE but very low suggesting that they had been grounded on the foreshore 

Reed Bunting 4 - originally grounded, 1 stayed near slipway, but 3 headed off SE

By this time the sun was out and both bright and low. Fine walking out, but very difficult seeing walking back. There was a Chiffchaff briefly on the newt pond, but was flushed by a Song Thrush and Blackbird, and "disappeared". Shame as it's grey appearance suggested it may have been a Siberian Chiffchaff, unfortunately it was silent.

Grey Wagtail the ringed bird from yesterday was still around. I was pleased I saw the ring colours yesterday as I would have struggled today, looking into the sun. It was the same bird though, it is easier checking colour of rings when you know what they are likely to be. This clip gives a flavour of this morning's visibility problems, but also shows that it seems to be finding plenty to eat.

Jay 2 (one of 5 corvid species seen today - more later). In this clip this one has two peanuts (visitors leave them on the fence posts). It was going to burry them both here, but a magpie turned up, so it removes one to edge its bets. Again, the colour of this clip is affected by the bright background light (I really must learn how to use a camera!).

Middleton Nature Reserve (MD)

Just a passing check of the two main ponds

Mute Swan - as yesterday 

Gadwall 1 male was the only duck!

Little grebe 2 (one each pond)

Grey Heron 1

Cetti's warbler 1 not singing, more like a sub song at "no swimming" pond

Common Darter 1 male - again avoiding being photographed 

Imperial way (MD)

Just the briefest of passing checks.

Raven 2 - they came from the north circled to gain height then continued SW

Raven 

There were Carrion Crows and Jackdaws feeding , making up the 5 corvids species seen today

I returned to the Nature park in the afternoon to see if I could relocate the "grey Chiffchaff ". But no luck. This "normal" Chiffchaff was below the small anemometer 

 Chiffchaff - collybita

Unlike this morning's bird, this one was particularly vocal

Red Admiral 1 sunning itself in Kevin's garden