The large warbler movement continues apace

Another dry overcast day, almost calm till late morning then a light NE breeze

Middleton Nature Reserve 

Report by Alan:

It has been an amazing week for ringing at both Heysham and Middleton sites.  This morning alone 72 birds were caught at Heysham and 70 at Middleton.

Middleton catch included:
Lesser Redpoll  6
Siskin  3
Chiffchaff  5
Goldcrest  6
Coal Tit  3
Redwing 3
Song Thrush  2
Blackcap  10 
Reed Bunting 2
Cetti's Warbler  1
Wrens (2), Robin, Chaffinch, Great Tit
A flock of 30 birds in one net completed a busy morning, comprising mainly Blue Tits (8)  and Long tailed Tits  (16) plus some of the species above.

The female Pochard was back on the main pond - Kevin Eaves

Heysham Nature Reserve 

Report by Pete:

Really good warbler and Goldcrest passage at Heysham NR today contrasting with the virtual complete absence of any new finches.  

Ringing totals: New birds:

Chiffchaff 25

Goldcrest 20

Blackcap 6

Robin 3

Goldfinch 2

Greenfinch 2

Singles of Coal Tit, Dunnock, blue Tit, long tailed tit 

…….plus about 10 retraps of birds already ringed, mostly in recent days

Male Pheasant, also seen yesterday 

Eared Owl sp flushed before dawn as Jean set the nets

South shore (Malcolm) 08:30 - 10:45

Shelduck 150

I went to check the waterline at high water, even at 8m high water was still 300m from the eastern shore.

Oystercatcher 120

Curlew 40

There were a lot of waders milling around. These are the maximum numbers along the waterline at any one time:

Bar-Tailed Godwit 260

Grey Plover 45

Knot 1,600

Dunlin 100

Sanderling 1 (single bird seen on two occasions, possibly different birds)

Unfortunately, the flat sea meant that even the small waders stood in the water. This clip shows some of the waders and Shelduck upending to feed on the small snails. You wouldn't think it would be worth the effort.

These ripples were enough to provide tantalising glimpses of a coded yellow flag on a
Bar-Tailed Godwit. Good enough to identify it as belonging to a Norwegian scheme,
but probably not enough to identify the individual bird - Thanks to Richard for his help

Even the Sanderling was up to its tummy in water

The only group actually on the mud were these Grey Plover and Dunlin keeping ahead of the rising tide.

Even when the tide began ebbing the Knot and Godwits waded out with it. So I left them in peace.

Carrion Crow 74 on the mud!

Mute Swan 1 juvenile, likely one of the outcasts from Middleton Nature Reserve, was flying around.

Juvenile Mute Swan

Around the saltmarsh 

Linnet c100

Greenfinch 4

Reed Bunting 3

Stonechat 2 female type

This one only has one leg. Same bird in the shot below

The balancing act providing a nice shot showing wing and rump detail

Starling and a Stonechat, this one definitely has two legs