Osprey and first Whimbrels

Another dry and often sunny day with a NW wind

Heysham Skear 

Osprey perched on a rock eating a flatfish today, it was also seen fishing here yesterday - David Kaye

I had a walk out at low water 14:30 (Malcolm). The Osprey had moved on by then.

No Brent geese on the skear today.

Eider 9

Red-breasted Merganser 3

Great Crested grebe 3

Little Egret 8

Swallow 1 north

Waders:

Oystercatcher 750

Knot 1,500

Just some of today's Knot, only one seen with any hint of their red breeding plumage - it's in this shot

Curlew 3

Whimbrel 6 in one flock north - first of the year

Redshank 100

Turnstone 80

Bar-Tailed Godwit 160 minimum, there were 26 resting and feeding along the waterline on the south side. Others were spread around the skear resting in small groups. A larger group of 125+ on the north side may have included some seen earlier.

Bar-Tailed Godwit resting on the north side of the skear

They were resting at least, until a Peregrine Falcon lifted them and a flock of Knot. This was the ensuing chaos.

Middleton Nature Reserve 

Janet took these pictures 

The Coot are still battling 

This Raven was being encouraged to leave, by the resident Carrion Crows

Willow Warblers

Other warbles seen/heard around the central marsh (Malcolm)

Cetti's warbler 7 singing - as yesterday but only 1 on the western marsh and 4 on central marsh today. There could well have been more as at some point there was a burst of song from almost every bush.

Lesser Whitethroat 2 singing

Reed Warbler 1 singing

Blackcap 2 males seen

Chiffchaff and Willow warbler c4 each

Jay 1

Pheasant 1

Imperial Rd

The only warblers seen/heard here today were Willow Warblers

Swallow 1 north

Buzzard 1

Common Buzzard

Just out of the recording area - horse paddock behind Middleton Parish Hall

Glossy Ibis not there at 10:00, but it was feeding happily at 11:30