Dodging the showers, or at least trying to!

Very heavy showers in the morning , but at least there were some short dry spells in between. It managed to not rain in the afternoon. A west wind.

These shots of Knot and Oystercatcher on the Near Naze rocks are by Howard earlier this week.

These Knot didn't move for an hour. When they rest like this the only chance
of seeing any flagged birds, is if they around the edge of the group

These are the Near Naze rocks. The stone structure is the base of an old
lighthouse. An iron lattice was above the stone base, resulting in the name
Skeleton Lighthouse 

Kevin Singleton saw this flagged Knot on the Heliport today

North shore (Malcolm) 09:00 - 09:20

I walked out as the tide was covering the skear. Just one smallish (c500) flock of Knot were flying around.

Shag 2 juveniles seen flying towards the wooden jetty

Shag

Pale-bellied Brent goose 45 out from the play area.

You can see the gutweed growing on the rocks here

The tide was coming in quickly, some were already feeding in the water

They then moved further up the shore, and later likely to have moved to Red Nab

Then the heavens opened! Fortunately, the wind was driving the rain and hail onto my back as I walked back to my car.

Middleton Nature Reserve - main pond (Malcolm)

The rain was easing on my way home so I called in for a look. The Swans, Ducks, Coot and Moorhen seemed to be as late. Not seen a Little Grebe since it froze over. I had 3 minutes of glorious sunshine, then the heavens opened again. 

Gadwalls and Tufted Ducks

This Tufted Duck was diving in the feeding area

Mallard and Black-Headed gull

Imperial Rd (Malcolm) 

Just a passing check this afternoon as the light was fading

Cetti's warbler 1 seen briefly 

Grey Heron 1

Common Buzzard 1

Kestrel 1

Searching under floodlight. This is 15:25!