Somewhat restricted

Overnight rain then a dry day with some sunshine. A bitterly cold NW breeze.

Heysham skear - low water 10:10 (Malcolm)

There was a significant increase in Redshank numbers, 500 at least. Possibly attracted by the small shrimps here, but they were just resting quite high up the shore.

One of two large groups of resting Redshanks

This clip shows the other group. The swimming birds at the beginning of the clip have just landed after moving from further up the shore.

There would have been tiny shrimps in both the pools where they were resting when the tide was ebbing. But any that remain will be hiding below the silt at the bottom of the pools now.

Oystercatcher 1,500

Curlew 12

Knot 450 feeding plus another 500 arrived as the tide was coming in. There were a few flagged Knot, but no new ones seen.

This orange flagged Knot (centre) is one of the more obliging ones.
It always seems to rest on the outer edge of a group.

Dunlin 30 in one flock

Turnstone 25

Ringed Plover 8

Ringed Plover

Red-breasted Merganser 6

Eider 18

Pale-bellied Brent Geese just 3 seen, but the rocks near the play area not checked.

Pale-bellied Brent goose

Janet was one of three observers who had planned to walk along the south sea wall. Unfortunately the wall was closed for maintenance activities today, 

Janet managed these shots of some of the 13 Pale-bellied Brent geese feeding on Red Nab.

Brent geese and wigeon feeding on Red Nab

Then a passing look at the heliport Oystercatchers 

At least the South Lakes hills were visible again today, restoring the familiar
 skyline. This shot is looking in the same direction as the first picture yesterday.