Wigeon numbers increasing quickly

Strong and very gusty east wind. Overcast, but it remained relatively dry after heavy overnight rain.

South shore 

I checked at lunchtime on the rising tide (MD)

Shelduck 160 on the mud

Wigeon 85 waiting to reach Red Nab with the tide. This small group is on the sea just beyond Red Nab, but the clip is really to demonstrate what I was saying the other day. The strong east wind was having the effect of flattening the sea this close inshore.

These Wigeon were closer in and had decided to walk over to Red Nab.

Great Crested Grebe 1 in the harbour - it was actually choppier in the inner harbour than out from the sea wall, apart from in the corner near the intakes where it was feeding. Both areas in this clip.

Oystercatcher 1400

Redshank 115

Rock Pipit 1 near No.1 outflow and, possibly the same 1 near lighthouse 

Rock Pipit near No.1 outflow

Greenfinch 4 on Red Nab, clearly been eating something red.

Greenfinch 

Peregrine Falcon 1

A little later when Pete checked:

Red-throated Diver 1 at No.2 outfall

Middleton Nature Reserve (MD)

Just the briefest of passing checks.

There were still 8 large cygnets with the pair of Mute on the main pond. The other "adult" had moved to the "no swimming" pond. Although fully white plumage its bill is not yet a bright orange.

Mute Swan on the "no swimming" pond
 possibly the one that was feeding on the saltmarsh last week

Other wildfowl as yesterday except Teal not seen today.

Just out of the recording area - there were four Grey Heron in the field next to Heysham Moss, also four Pheasants, two immature. - ref Janet