A fresh SW wind with some heavy squalls. The rain started about 08:00 with only a few short dry spells for the rest of the day.
Anticipating a washout today, I saved some shots from yesterday. These two are from Kevin Singleton on Heysham Head.
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| A nice bright Goldfinch - obviously not from today |
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| Rock Pipit |
Middleton Nature Reserve (MD)
Goosander 1 juvenile - the reason "lingers" is in inverted commas in today's title is because I'm not sure if it lingered or returned. I arrived at the main pond at 09:30 and had failed to locate the (relatively large) bird in 10 minutes. I just popped across to check the "no swimming" pond and when I returned it was in the middle of the main pond fishing. And fishing with gusto! Same technique, snorkel then a quick dive, there were obviously plenty of fish to catch its eye. I didn't see it catch one this morning, but I only watched for a couple of minutes as it was lashing down.
I called in again at 16:00, it was still there, no longer fishing, but cruising around the pond preening. Presumably well fed.
South shore (MD)
Mediterranean gulls 5 was the most seen at one time. There was an adult and a first summer on Red Nab and another adult on saltmarsh beach at high water. There were 3 adult and 2 first summer on beach near the wooden jetty and occasionally on the outflow, towards low water.
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| Adult Mediterranean gull Another sunlit shot from yesterday, the same scene today, but in pouring rain! |
Rock Pipit 1 near the lighthouse - we both sheltered from a heavy squall in the lee of the lighthouse for a while.
Linnet 5 near Lighthouse 6 on saltmarsh
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| One of yesterday's saltmarsh Linnets |
Finally, this from Kevin Eaves:
Following on from Janet's comment about the number of Silver Ys yesterday, I had 18 in the trap last night!
