It rained for most of the morning, but not as heavily as yesterday. Showers in the afternoon. A light south wind.
Pete managed a short lunchtime seawatch:
Two Red throated diver together flying out but distant
single Sand Martin - first of the year
6 Meadow pipit flying in over sea
Shag 1 on wooden jetty
Heysham Nature Reserve
Siskin 1 - Jean
South shore (MD, JP)
I had a quick walk along the foreshore early morning (Malcolm)
Black Redstart - the "missing" female type from yesterday was showing well along the foreshore despite the rain.
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| It was still showing well later in the morning when Janet checked, and was still there, but drier, when I checked again towards high water |
Meadow Pipit 26 grounded on Ocean Edge grass
When Janet checked later a male Stonechat had arrived
It was still there when I returned just after lunch, at least the rain had stopped by this time.
Pale-bellied Brent goose 30 feeding on Red Nab before flying south when displaced by the tide. Although all the rocks are green with gutweed it is very short and they have to work hard for very meagre reward.
Wigeon 200
Weasel 1 scurried across the car parking area at the Nature Park.
A quick 17:00 check by Angela Gillon failed to locate the Black Redstart, but a Reed Bunting was grounded on the foreshore rocks.
Middleton Nature Reserve (MD)
We now have an unprecedented 5 Goosander on the "no swimming" pond. Another male had joined them today.
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| Male Goosanders |
I have yet to see one dive. I take that to mean that there are plenty of suitably sized fish (I only know of Perch in this pond) and they can catch one easily whenever they are hungry. It must be why they are here. (Malcolm)
Imperial Rd (MD)
I checked first thing and there wasn't a single gull feeding on the harrowed field (see yesterday's post)
Buzzard 1
Jackdaw 15
Just out of the recording area - horse paddock behind Middleton Parish Hall
Glossy Ibis still feeding
