Quite a lot going on again.......but it's the same lot!

A heavy shower at 08:00. After that dry and later, sunshine.

South shore (MD)

I went along the wall late morning to watch the tide cover the beach next to the wooden jetty.

Mediterranean gulls 14 was the most seen at one time, comprising 6 adult and 2 first summer on the beach next to the jetty, plus another 6 first summer on seaward end of No.1 outflow. Meds spotted on the other beaches and No.2 outflow, but could have been duplicates.

Two adult Mediterranean gulls, the lower one a new bird with a white darvic ring.
Details awaited 

A second quick check of the saltmarsh area at high water:

Eider 1 male in eclipse, again feeding directly above the gully (not the main creek) across the saltmarsh. It clearly has come here specifically to feed, it's not going to do that for crabs which are much more abundant further south. So, it's either a vegetarian option or it was after the Harbour Ragworms.

Male Eider in eclipse 

Lapwing 4

Rock Pipits 3 - including at least 1 juvenile 

Common Whitethroat 1

Linnet 6 - it's easy pickings for seed eaters on the saltmarsh. I'm surprised there aren't more taking advantage.

Lion's mane jellyfish are on this side too. This one was along the waterline. Even at this size their tentacles can extend a few metres. Avoid paddling nearby.

Middleton Nature Reserve (MD)

Just a check of the two main ponds

Mute swan pair, but only 8 cygnets could be seen. The last time I recorded 9 was 12/06, but I have counted 9 since then, I walked the circumference of the pond, there was no sign, dead or alive, of the missing cygnet.

Diminished Mute family

Gadwall  - in contrast seemed to have gained a chick. Only one brood on show again but now 6 young, rather that the earlier counts of 5. These are on the "no swimming" pond.

Mallard 25, mainly immature 

Coot 9 adults 1 large and 3 medium sized young.

Moorhen 4

Little Grebe 1

Swift 1

Swallow 2

Both feeding above the main pond

Chiffchaff and Blackcaps were the only warblers singing

Butterflies 

Gatekeeper are now outnumbering the Ringlet.

Meadow Brown

Small Skipper

Speckled Wood 

Small and Large White

Dragonflies 

Emperor male and female

Brown Hawker 1

Broad-bodied Chaser 1 male

Black-Tailed Skimmer 5 male

Common Darter 1 male plus 3 female/immature 

Male Black-Tailed Skimmer