Tuesday 11 January 2022

BRS still around but inaccessible.

 Calm to very light NNW breeze. High clouds in the morning, giving way to warm sunshine.

Good coverage today with Pete, Jean, Janet, Tim and Malcolm all contributing below.

Black Redstart 1 female/immature - this is the message Pete posted on the WhatsApp group:

Harbour/power station black redstart still present along single track road, but please avoid this sensitive area and restrict observations in the harbour/power station area to the north wall, nature reserve area and the route via Red Nab along the outfalls seawall. Thanks.


North Shore.

Pale-bellied Brent goose 38 - 33 feeding near the children's play area, plus a flock of 5 flying north up the bay.

Great Crested Grebe 12

Eider 68

Shag 1 juvenile feeding near conger rock. This clip from the skear starts with a Great Crested grebe through Cormorant and Eider to a juvenile Shag on the water, unfortunately it was directly behind the Cormorant when it dived. The waders flying past are Knot.


There were a lot more waders on the skear today - these are estimated numbers:
Oystercatcher 2,000
Redshank 150
Dunlin 30
Redshank 120
Turnstone 10
Curlew 30

South shore
Pink-Footed goose 40 SE over Ocean Edge 12:40
Shag 2 juvenile in harbour 

Juvenile Shag on and around upstands near harbour waterfall 
Pictures by Janet

Two Cormorants - the lead one a mature bird in breeding plumage
You'll probably need to open the image to see the detail  
Rock Pipit 3
Wigeon c150
Shelduck 14


Middleton Nature Reserve 

A more thorough check of the east side today.

Mute swan 7 adult (including 1 on Tim Butler). 9 juvenile.

Moorhen 14

Coot 1

Mallard 18

Teal 6

Tufted Duck 7 male

Gadwall 39

Wigeon 2 (pair)

Shoveler 2 (pair)

Little grebe 1 - on main pond today


Pink-Footed goose 2 and 14 north

Pheasant 2 (male and female)


Bullfinch 8

Goldcrest 1 (at least) not sure if it was with a small mixed Tit flock or just in the same place.


Just out of recording area:

Mediterranean gull 1 on lamppost just north of Four Lane End traffic lights.

Black Redstart near the blue building on Sandylands