West wind with high cloud and some sunny spells - mild.
I only had chance for one outing today, and so far no other reports (MD)
Red Nab to saltmarsh towards high water.
Pale-bellied Brent goose 14 arrived at Red Nab from the north side 10:20 - numbers do seem to decline during spring tides. Alternative feeding areas become available as the tides come in and go out further.
Wigeon c150
Lapwing 35 near saltmarsh
Common Snipe 18 flushed from saltmarsh, I don't think I missed many today.
Jack Snipe 2
The first spring tide to cover the saltmarsh is normally the most productive, that was yesterday's tide. The Common Snipe quickly get fed up of being flushed twice a day and remain in other feeding areas, typically Middleton Nature Reserve, which is just beyond the caravan site. The Jack Snipe though are normally more tenacious and numbers usually only decline slightly over a set of spring tides.
Rock Pipit 2 on saltmarsh - this one is feeding amongst the flotsam in the NE corner of the saltmarsh, the same flotsam where the Sanderling was feeding on 6th January. The rising tides concentrate the invertebrates, the Rock Pipit catches at least two sea slaters in this clip.
Kingfisher - I've not seen one or had any reports since the end of the last set of spring tides on 26th January. That is not a surprise, as the tides have not been high enough to allow fish to reach onto Red Nab. What is a bit of a surprise though is that the Kingfisher haven't returned now that conditions are again suitable for fishing. Not only have I not seen one, but their favoured rocks remain guano free. Any new or recent sightings would be interesting.
This is a nice shot of one of the regular Great Black-Backed gulls in the harbour. It was actually taken by Kevin last week, but I've been saving it for a quiet day.
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| Great Black-Backed gull on one of the harbour platforms |
Middleton Nature Reserve
Just a quick check of the two main ponds. Not really much change, but for what it's worth:
Mute 7 adult 9 second calendar year
Moorhen 9
Coot 1
Gadwall 40
Mallard 13
Wigeon 2
Teal 2
Shoveler 4 - two female plus two male, one in only partial breeding plumage. There seems to be a different combination of birds at each visit, there must be at least six individuals involved.
Little grebe 1
Just out of the recording area.
This is the adult Mediterranean gull on the lamppost it was 09:30, I'm pretty sure that breakfast is served c10:00.
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| Mediterranean gull on its regular lamppost |
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| Med on lamppost to the left, traffic lights just ahead. |
