Another dry sunny day. Almost still till lunchtime, then an east breeze developed.
Middleton Nature Reserve
Ringing report by Alan:
Nets set from just around dawn this morning. Three Grey Wagtails caught very quickly were the only ones caught or seen. Three Swallows passing through just after nine o'clock were the only hirundines seen. One Meadow Pipit came to the walk in trap. Two large flocks of Goldfinches were roaming about during the morning.
Meadow Pipit 1
Grey Wagtail 3
Wren 2
Cetti's Warbler 1 retrap
Sedge Warbler 2
Reed Warbler 1
Lesser Whitethroat 2
Blackcap 3
Chiffchaff 3
Blue Tit 2
Great Tit 1 retrap ex Heysham nestbox from this year.
Goldfinch 15
Reed Bunting 1
These shots from Rosemary Silvester
Emperor |
Common Darters |
Common Blue Damselfly |
Speckled Wood |
The Mute family looking good |
Heysham Head (David Yates)
At least 4 wheatear
1 Rock pipit
2 Sandwich terns
1 Kingfisher
South shore (Malcolm)
I checked the shore out from the saltmarsh on the rising tide again.
After their refusal to leave the mud spit at the southern edge of the recording area yesterday. Today the spit was deserted and the large flock of waders were further to the south.
Just a couple of gulls on the previously favoured mud spit |
There were some waders within the recording area.
Curlew 150
Whimbrel 3
Oystercatcher 200
Grey Plover 45
Bar-Tailed Godwit 1 flew south
Knot 42
Redshank 2
Dunlin 81 - 30 along waterline 17 resting on mud and 34 higher up the beach feeding with....
Ringed Plover 50
Sanderling 2 - this short clip shows the location of the Sanderling as they lead a small feeding party of Dunlin.
Sanderling |
Knot, Grey Plover and a Redshank |
These are some of the Dunlin that just rested on the mud. They didn't move when I walked quite closely past them. Although they were keeping an eye on me! |
One, briefly showed its impressive bill. |
Some of the waders flying south when moved on by the tide. |
Some of the Ringed Plover and Dunlin feeding higher up the beach |
Grey Seal 1 drifted in with the tide along the shipping lane.
Shaun had a look along the sea wall this evening:
Heysham Outfalls 17:15-1845.
Med Gull 79 - Adult/3cy 72, single 2cy and a minimum of 6 1cy.
Lots of gulls roosting on the beaches at the outfalls. These were then joined by a group from Red Nab, and then another group from the Middleton area (due to disturbance). Made the counting quite easy!
Ringed Plover 9 on the beach south side of Red Nab.
Wheatear 2 Harbour entrance.