A bit of a Brent puzzle

Quite a fresh and definitely chilly SW wind. Dry with sunshine for much of the day.

Pale-belled Brent geese 31 at least

There were 31 feeding amongst the rocks out from the play area from Knowlys Rd early in the tide.

There were none on Red Nab when Shaun walked along the south wall also early in the tide and none were seen flying from the north side, but when I (Malcolm) walked out a little later there were 15 that seemed to be flying towards Potts Corner from Red Nab, leaving just 1 feeding on the rocks. Then 8 flew back and joined the single bird on Red Nab. This is them coming in.

It's not clear where the birds feeding on the north side went to, but an afternoon check saw 24 feeding out from the play area again.

South shore

There ended up being a group of us, me, Janet, Shaun, Gareth, Lesley and Carol. Shame there wasn't more to see.

Wigeon 200+

Shag 1 on the wooden jetty

Kittiwake 2 adult past the harbour entrance

Peregrine Falcon 1

At the saltmarsh 

Common Snipe 6

Rock Pipit 2

Reed Bunting 5

Sparrowhawk 1 flew through the Nature Park

Middleton Nature Reserve (MD)

I checked all four main ponds today.

Main Pond

Mute pair plus 7 immature 

Mallard 16

Coot 5

Moorhen 4

No swimming pond - the water is again 1.5m above normal, it has been seesawing all winter.

Gadwall  16

Mallard 4

Teal 2

Moorhen 2

Little Grebe 1

Little Grebe with a little fish

It caught three fish in as many minutes, the last one nearly got away.

Kingfisher 1 - just a glimpse as it zipped across the pond unfortunately to a corner that was obscured by trees. With this many fish about it may hang around.

Tim Butler pond - this is the first opportunity I've had to check this pond this winter. It is increasing difficult to get a clear view of the pond, but it is slightly easier in winter when there is little foliage.

Mute Swan 2 together, one appears to be young as its bill is not yet bright orange.

Tim Butler Mute Swans

Gadwall 5

Teal 8 at least although they were easier to hear than see. I like the way the males bob up and down like a toy duck when they are calling.

Tufted Duck 2 male

Tufted Duck

Coot 1

Fence Pond - extensive work has been done here to reclaim the open water, unfortunately woefully underpopulated today.

Mallard 3

Just out of the recording area, the Glossy Ibis was feeding in the horse paddock behind Middleton Parish Hall. These great shots by Howard Stockdale.