Thursday 16 March 2023

As dismal days go........today set the bar pretty high!

A light south wind, the rain alternated between drizzle and heavy drizzle!

Pete advises that Sand Martins are passing through the general area but none seen/reported so far within the recording area.

Just my "stuff" so far, but I didn't have much time today (MD)
Saltmarsh to Red Nab 09:00 - light drizzle
Shelduck 6
Rock Pipit 1 Red Nab
Pied Wagtail 1
Dunnock 1
Greenfinch 2

Imperial Rd - light drizzle
Normally a good detour for some records, but today I couldn't even manage an Egret or Raptor.
Mallard 2
Teal 4

Middleton Nature Reserve - early afternoon heavy drizzle
Wildfowl pretty much as yesterday but two pairs of Mute Swan. At least one female nest building.

This is just a flavour of the conditions, one male each Gadwall and Teal.
As I was leaving it was fairing up a little, so I took a couple of token clips. This is a Cormorant, immature Mute Swans and Black-Headed Gulls.

There are two pairs of Little Grebe on the main pond and at least one pair on the "no swimming" pond. No trilling heard today, but you don't have to watch for long for a feeding bird to show.
Jackdaw 25
Jackdaw and feral Pigeon vying for roof roosting rights

Pale-bellied Brent goose 12 at least, seen out from the play area from Knowlys Rd this afternoon. This clip isn't great, not much was today, but it was taken from my car and does show that the feeding birds here are easily visible from the road, with half decent optics.

The weather doesn't look great for tomorrow, but perhaps the birds will be better.