High Med count and a Dunlin influx

Dry and mainly sunny after overnight rain. A light west wind.

South Shore 

I did two  checks today (Malcolm). Red Nab as the incoming tide reached it this morning and a walk along the sea wall on the ebbing tide mid afternoon.

Mediterranean gulls 40 at least on Red Nab towards high water, including just one juvenile. No ringed birds were seen. 

Adult Mediterranean gull, now in winter plumage 

The Meds were scattered about this afternoon, feeding at the seaward end of No.1 outflow, more resting on the mud and out from the harbour mouth.

2nd calendar yer Med in the harbour mouth

10 turned up on the beach by the wooden jetty as it became exposed. But they were struggling to catch the sandmason worms.

The Oystercatchers were catching the worms easily enough though....

.......so the Meds turned to thievery!

If you watch in slow motion you can see the Med does end up with the worm

Fortunately, Shaun did a late evening check, it took him  while but he eventually sorted the numbers out

Red Nab to Wooden Pier. 18:30-20:45.

Mediterranean Gulls 68 adults/3CY, 2CY 4 and 5 Juvs. So 77 Meds in total

Sandwich Tern 3 following Seatruck out. 

Other stuff this afternoon 

Peregrine Falcon 2 juveniles annoying the gulls around the Power Stations, but not bothering those on the shore today.

Juvenile Peregrine Falcon

Rock Pipit 1 on Red Nab

Dunlin 130 resting at the base of the sea wall by the wooden jetty. Most are in this clip.

Nature Park

Coal Tit 2 at least moving noisily through the conifers. Not seen or heard them during the breeding season.

Brown Hawker 1

Common Darter 1

Red Admiral 1

Large White 3

Speckled Wood 3

Gatekeeper several

Middleton Nature Reserve

A couple of nice shots by Janet

Little Egret

Grey Heron