Dark-bellied Brent joins the Pale

It managed to remain dry again, but rain seemed imminent all day. The early light breeze was from the east, before moving to west.

North Shore.

Pete Crooks checked the rocks out from the play area on the morning rising tide:

Pale-bellied Brent Goose 67 all together in one group

Dark-bellied Brent Goose 1 individual c100m away

South Shore - high water 10:30 (MD)

Today's tide at 8.4m is just enough to flush any brent from the play area, and sure enough they were feeding on Red Nab. Quite spread out and always some behind rocks. I managed to count 63 Pale-bellied and 1 Dark-bellied, but I'm sure all Pete's birds would have been here.

This clip shows the nice diversity on Red Nab. A few of the Pale-bellied Brent, Wigeon, Shelduck, Curlew and an Oystercatcher.

This is the extent of a 8.4m tide's reach on Red Nab.

At least they were integrated on this side. This is the Dark-bellied bird with some Pale-bellied.

Dark-bellied Brent top centre

Wigeon c50

Shelduck c80 - most near saltmarsh 

Little Egret 1

Peregrine Falcon 2 - they came in off and were heading north. They were squealing and performing aerial acrobatics. I have seen them behaving like this at this time of year, when a male catches a bird then "hands" it to the female in mid air. But there was not an obvious size differences between these two, and on checking my shots, neither had anything to hand over. Looks like they were just "practicing". If you watch in slow motion you will see the lower bird flying upside down for a second or two.

A still from the above clip, showing the lower bird upside down 

They continued north, still calling to each other.

Rock Pipit 3 - I calling and displaying on Red Nab, 2 along foreshore. This is the Red Nab bird, still calling even when feeding.

Reed Bunting 2 around the saltmarsh 

Nature Park

Great Spotted Woodpecker 2 drumming. This is a male, when he hears another drumming (presumably the female), he backs down the trunk to a better resonance spot and drums in reply (sorry it is largely out of focus, but it does show the process).

This is the female, she isn't using her bill to drum now, but to strip away decaying bark in search of grubs.

Imperial Rd (MD)

Just a quick passing check

Teal pair

Grey Heron 1

Greylag Goose 4 - technically "seen from" the recording area, they were in the field to the east of the road.

Greylag Geese

This Grey Wagtail turned up in my garden this afternoon (MD). It is within the recording area. I've not seen one here all winter, despite managing to keep the waterfall operational throughout the cold spell, so this one must be passing through. It fed a few minutes then disappeared, presumably continued on its way. 

Just out of the recording area - Heysham Moss Nature Reserve 

Janet had another early morning walk, no sign of the Barn Owl today.

Roe Deer 1

Female Roe Deer

Grey Squirrels seldom get a mention, but this is a nice shot.