Phalarope still around but elusive

A fresh WNW wind with sunny spells and light showers 

Grey Phalarope 1 not seen till mid afternoon when Alan Physick scoped it deep in the inner harbour. This location is only visible from the lighthouse area on the south side.

South Shore high water 12:25 (MD)

Mixed flock of c60 finches (Linnet, Goldfinch and Greenfinch) feeding around the saltmarsh. These are mainly Linnet

Common snipe 9 flushed from saltmarsh by the rising tide

Little gull 1 first winter (with a few vestiges of juvenile plumage) on No.2 outflow again. I didn't bother trying to get a decent shot today as Janet had already sent me her pictures of it from yesterday. I knew I couldn't improve on this excellent sequence of it feeding on what looks to be a decent size shrimp. You'll need to open images if you want to detail.

What has proven to be an exceedingly photogenic
 first winter Little Gull feeding on outflow - pictures by Janet

Nature Park

Speckled Wood 5

Comma 1

Comma

Common Darter 2

Aged female Common Darter blending in nicely with grey bark

Middleton Nature Reserve 

A quick check of the two main ponds

Mute Swan pair plus 7 cygnet 

Mallard 9

Gadwall just 1

Little grebe 2 (main pond)

Jackdaw 37 milling around in a loose flock before heading south

Tawny Owl 1 heard calling from my house at twilight, from the direction of the cricket club. They used to be heard regularly here, but this is the first one for about 5 years.