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