Sporadic Little gulls and a Marsh Tit

A fresh west wind. The rain held off till mid afternoon 

South Shore (MD)

There were no Shelduck feeding on the mud, almost certainly the result of someone exercising several dogs on the shore.

Wigeon c160 - perhaps yesterday's birds did not land in the outflow by accident, they have taken to resting on the rocks inside the outflow rails. A little more shelter here and plenty of gutweed on the rocks.

Little gull 2 - 1 adult plus a 1st calendar year. In normal circumstances I could have missed both of these as they only visited No.2 outflows sporadically. I normally walk along the wall and check the outflows as I pass. On both the way out and the return neither gull was feeding on the outflow. But, I am still hampered with sciatica and I now have to sit and rest a while, and on both occasions a Little gull "appeared" while I was resting (I must try and pause longer even when I no longer need too!).

Probably one of the reasons that they weren't feeding more regularly was that they didn't seem to be finding much to eat. There was only a few Black-Headed gulls feeding too. Up to yesterday the dredger in the harbour was close to the water intakes, today it was in the middle of the harbour. I suspect the "muddying of the water" by the dredger attracts shrimps and possibly small fish to feed. Anyway this is the adult looking for food.

The 1st calendar year didn't turn up till just before I left No.2 outflow on the way back. I would have left earlier, but Kevin had turned up and we were having a chat. I've removed the sound from this clip, as I was still in conversation with Kevin.

1st calendar year Little Gull

I managed to locate the adult preening on the mud, but couldn't find the 1cy.

Middleton Nature Reserve (MD)

I called in mid afternoon, just as the clouds were closing in.

Mute 1 adult with the 8 cygnets 

Coot 6

Moorhen 4

Tufted Duck 2 male

Gadwall 8

Mallard 6 - these are not the "tame" Mallard that frequent the feeding station on the main pond.

Mallard, the drakes looking particularly smart

Gadwall coming in to land, watched over by a Heron

All three duck species in this clip. The "sawmill" in the background is some landscaping work underway.

Cetti's Warbler 1 singing (once)

Then the rain started and it was time to leave - for me at least, just water off a ducks back to them.

Heysham Head

Janet took these shots of this tree favoured by both Gold and Greenfinch.

A Marsh Tit visiting gardens in Longmeadow Lane (backs onto Heysham Moss), today and yesterday. (Identified from video sent to LDBWS). - thanks to Dan Haywood