Stonechats still around

Mainly overcast with the odd light shower. A very light variable breeze.

Heysham skear (Malcolm) 09:30 - 10:30

Pale-bellied Brent goose at least 4 out from the play area.

Eider 80

Eider

Common Scoter 1 male

Male Common Scoter out to the west of the skear

It had been diving, but refused to perform when I took a clip.

Great Crested grebe 4

Great Crested grebes

No Shag or Mergansers seen

Little Egret 4

Oystercatcher 800

No Curlew seen

Redshank 250. They appear to be feeding on tiny shrimps. It seems early for shrimp fry, but I seem to say that, perhaps slightly earlier, every year.

Knot 150

Turnstone 40

Turnstone

Dunlin 60 in one flock that arrived from the south

Some of the arriving Dunlin

Imperial Rd (Malcolm) 10:45

Teal 1 

Kestrel 1 male

There were lots of winter midges in flight, presumably just part of a greater insect presence. Both Stonechats were close to the boulders c50m from the bypass roundabout.

Male and female Stonechats

Football pitch next to Heysham Cricket Club (Malcolm)

A number of Oystercatchers have taken to feeding there, yesterday and today  they were joined by two Mistle Thrushes

Mistle Thrush