Jonathan Stretch died this morning after being seriously ill since June. Our deepest sympathies to his wife and son. Jonathan was one of life's "good guys".
He was Shaun's lifelong friend and birding buddy. They were at primary school together, then while at secondary school, Pete was their form tutor for a while. He will be sorely missed!
Rest in peace Jonathan.
Today's weather was dry, with plenty of sun. Almost no air movement this morning but it became fresher from the south in the afternoon.
Middleton Nature Reserve (JP)
Fieldfare 4 were feeding then flew towards Heysham Nature Reserve
This from Pete:
Low tide channel Morecambe town hall to heysham harbour: 2 Juvenile Common Scoter, 1cy Little gull dip feeding with Black-Headed gulls off Knowlys (177 Eider, 21 Great Crested Grebe, 13 Red-breasted Merganser)
Heysham skear - low water 10:30 (MD)
Pink-Footed goose 138 south in one skein
Wigeon 9 circled then headed off south - seldom seen on the north side other than during passage.
 |
| Wigeon |
Little Egret 20 - 16 of these were feeding close inshore in a pool in the freshwater runoff, probably after small fish there, rather than shrimps.
 |
| Some of the Little Egret close inshore |
Nothing on the sea not already covered by Pete, indeed, there were only 3 male Eider close to the skear. This is one swimming past feeding Redshank and Oystercatcher. Note how flat and blue the sea is after the east winds then this period of calm failing to disturb any sediment.
Similarly with these four Red-breasted Merganser. They look serine, but below the surface they are padding quickly to swim against the rapidly rising tide. Two of them taking a nap while they are at it!
This Cormorant was defending top spot on conger rock. The wind was starting to pick up by this time.
Oystercatcher 2,000
Curlew 20
Knot 500
Redshank 80
Turnstone 60
Pied/white Wagtail 3 east
South shore (MD)
Just a quick afternoon check, all records from Red Nab
Wigeon 93
Mediterranean gull 1 adult
Grey Wagtail 1 feeding along with the pre-roost Pied Wagtails
Just out f the recording area:
Yellow-browed warbler 1 at Sunderland Point - from Pete. Unfortunately Heysham Nature Reserve not checked today
Cetti's warbler 1 singing just south of Middleton Nature Reserve - opposite the Middleton Pub in the old Pontins site - from Janet
