Saturday 24 August 2024

Industrious worms

A west wind, mainly overcast with a couple of showers and the odd, brief sunny spell. Thunder and lightning beginning late evening 

South shore (Malcolm)
Two walks along the sea wall (need to take advantage while access available). One on the rising tide this morning and another on the ebbing tide this evening.
Mediterranean gulls 25 - just 17 adults turned up to feed on the beach by the wooden jetty this morning, but 22 adult and 3 1st calendar year turned up to feed this evening.
First calendar year Mediterranean gull

These are four adult Meds plus initially three, then four Black-Headed gulls waiting on the sea for the beach by the jetty to become exposed.

The sandmason worms have been busy, most of their tubes were fully
restored by this afternoon (see yesterday's post)

There is just one area where a particularly deep layer of mud was 
deposited, that isn't fully restored 

Kittiwake 2, possibly 3 1st calendar year in the morning. Just the one, looking like the regular bird in the afternoon.
This one resting and preening on the sea wall by No.1 outflow is 
definitely a newcomer, not the same clean lines as the regular bird


This 1cy has nice clean lines

This one not so

It had a go at feeding on No.1 outflow, but didn't seem keen on flying.

There were two feeding on No.1 outflow as I left. When I reached No.2 outflow this one was resting on the rocks.
Possibly a third 1cy Kittiwake this morning

In the Nature Park 
Common Darter 3
Meadow Brown 1
Large White 1
Speckled Wood 3
Speckled Wood with a slightly unorthodox resting spot.
Presumably the pipe has warmed in the sun.

Female Common Blue at Middleton Nature Reserve - Janet