Brent numbers increasing

Freezing overnight (-2.4°C) followed by a sunny day till showers began in the afternoon. Almost calm till mid morning, then a light SE breeze.

Imperial Rd (Malcolm) 10:00 - 10:30

It didn't take long to find the two Stonechats this morning, they were where I left them yesterday. Today both the male and female were scrutinising the crevices on the pylon.

Male Stonechat

Both birds in this shot, the female on the right

This is the area they were in yesterday and today. The bypass is just beyond 
the trees in the background. The pylon they were on to the left of the picture,
they were also foraging around the bush and brambles mid frame

They both escorted me back to my car, hoping I would flush something.
But the ground was covered in frost and ice, nothing was moving.

No Buzzards today, but a female Kestrel was also using the pylon as a lookout post.

Kestrel, would be very happy to have a Stonechat on the menu.

Stock Dove 1

Stock Dove

Water Rail at least one squealing

Common Snipe 1

Middleton Nature Reserve main pond (Malcolm) 10:40

The main pond was frozen and there were 120 Black-Headed gulls stood on the ice. Unfortunately, none with colour rings.

Black-Headed gulls on ice

The Mallard also chose to stand on the ice, while the 12 Gadwall remained 
in the pool of water preserved by the reunited Swan family. Also 4 Tufted Duck

Heysham skear (Malcolm) 14:00 - 15:00

Very frustrating, it had been sunny all day, but the clouds were now gathering quickly, it was already quite dark, then rain started just as 1,500 Knot began feeding. I only managed to read two previously seen flagged birds, before having to stash my camera.

Little Egret 3

Little Egret

Shag at least two juveniles 

Juvenile Shag

Great Crested Grebe 2

Great Crested Grebes

Eider 13

Pale-bellied Brent goose 31

25 Pale-bellied Brent geese arrived from the west and settled on the sea out
from the play area. This is 14:30, look how bright the light in the harbour is!

They then flew to the rocks just out from the play area to feed on the gutweed 

Five minutes later, another 6 arrived from the north.

Pale-bellied Brent geese

14:35 and it looks like sunset! Well it was the last of the sun for the day