WSW wind till mid afternoon, when it became variable ending up south having been north! Still warm, but overcast for most of the day with a couple of light showers.
Middleton Nature Reserve
Ringing report from Alan:
After a longish break and some extensive ride maintenance work in the last few days, a ringing session this morning managed to capture 17 birds. Unfortunately, only two nets could be set.
Wren 2 (both juvs)
Dunnock 1
Robin 1 juv
Song Thrush 1 juv
Reed Warbler 2 + 1 retrap
Lesser Whitethroat 2 (1 juv)
Common Whitethroat 2 + 2 retraps (2 juvs)
Blackcap 1 juv
Willow Warbler 2 (one adult in advanced primary moult plus 1 juv)
Janet had a short walk:
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| Common Darter |
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| Common Hopper! |
South shore (MD)
There were c180 gulls remaining on the high water roost on the mud just south of the saltmarsh. Mainly Black-Headed gulls but included 2 adult and 3 x 2nd calendar year Mediterranean gulls.
Later as I walked past No.2 outflow there were 3 adult, 1 x 3rd calendar year and 3 x 2nd calendar year Mediterranean gulls resting on the mud
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| 3 adult, 1 x 3cy and 3 x 2cy Meds with BHG Resting on the mud to the west of No.2 outflow |
When the tide left the beach near the wooden jetty 3 adult and 4 x 2nd calendar year Meds arrived, including the noisy pair. There were still 2 adult and a 3cy near No.2 when I returned, so the absolute minimum number was:
Mediterranean gulls 5 adult, 1 x 3cy, 4 x 2cy
Curlew 97 in several small groups north
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| Some of this morning's Curlew heading north |
Rock Pipit - 2 birds, not the ringed male, feeding the chicks in the lighthouse area nest. Again, someone was stood over the nest site watching the ferry, so two birds were waiting to get to the nest, both with food. The chicks must be growing fast, this one has a sand eel to feed them. A young tern would be pleased with this!
Hummingbird Hawkmoth - one was on the pebble shore next to the saltmarsh. Unfortunately, it wasn't feeding, just resting on the stones. Although very distinctive when they fly, they "disappear" when they land amongst pebbles, as this clip demonstrates:
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| Hummingbird Hawkmoth looking drab amongst the pebbles |
