Lots of thrushes

Another still and overcast day. A very light south breeze developed 

Report by Pete Crooks:

Imperial Road, Heysham (7.45 – 8.15 am)
4 adult Mediterranean Gull among a large mixed gull flock – mainly adult Herring Gull, with smaller numbers of Black-headed, Common and Lesser Black-backed Gulls – in the fields east of Imperial Road
6 Fieldfare and 5 Redwing flew south

Heysham Nature Reserve (8.20 – 9.15 am)
c.110 Redwing – small numbers (a total of 10) were seen around the reserve with others heard high overhead, then a completely silent flock of c.100 ‘leaf fell’ into the trees around the Tank Farm at 9.10 am, but flew off south almost immediately. They were almost certainly brought down by the tape of Redwing & Chiffchaff calls being played by John Mason while mist-neeting behind the Nature Reserve hut.
2 Fieldfare flew south
c.90 Pink-footed Geese flew north
1 Sparrowhawk by the Dipping Pond
1 Chiffchaff calling near the Dipping Pond

Heysham Nature Park – Ocean Edge (9.20 – 10.20 am)
c.50 Redwing flew south at 9.25 am
1 adult Mediterranean Gull – with white left leg darvic, but too distant to read – at Red Nab
No grounded migrants along the Ocean Edge foreshore.

Middleton Nature Reserve (Malcolm)

I had a walk around the reserve mid morning.

Mediterranean Gull 1 adult on the main pond. Probably one seen by Pete earlier from Imperial Rd.

Mediterranean gull top right

Mute Swan - a single adult on the main pond. Pair with large cygnet on "no swimming" pond.

Female and cygnet resting on the nest. This wooden nest seems to draw
the females. It will be interesting to see if it is reused next year.

Mallard 11

Gadwall 16

Tufted Duck 8

Teal 3 (1 male)

Female and male Teal

Teal and Gadwall males

Coot and Moorhen as recent, and the Coot still arguing. This clip looks serine, and it had been for at least 30 seconds. I knew what would be happening soon.

Pink-footed goose 65 south

Jay 1

Thrushes:

At least 120 flew south in three medium sized and several small flocks

One of the larger flocks. Redwings heard 

At least some of the smaller groups were Blackbirds

Minimum 20 Blackbirds were grounded. This one manages to pluck a sloe. A short burst from a Cetti's warbler at the start of the clip.

The only other grounded thrushes seen were

Mistle Thrush 1

Redwing 3

Redwing

Meadow Pipit 1

Cetti's warbler 3 singing

A quick look at Imperial Rd on the way home saw just a handful of Herring gulls remaining in the fields to the east.