A lighter moment

Another misty start, then light rain, but it faired up in the afternoon (there were even rumours of the odd glimpse of blue sky!). Almost no breeze, what there was came from the south.

Heysham skear - low water 11:00 (Malcolm)

Pale-bellied Brent geese 18 minimum, of which 15 flew to the north after feeding a while.

The gutweed that remains on the skear is far from lush, just the patches on
some of the stones and rocks.

They were feeding in small groups of twos and threes. Two in the foreground here with more further away.

Two of the Brent heading off to the north. That is Knowlys Rd in the background 

Pink-Footed goose 2 very low to the south

Red-breasted Merganser 2

Eider 54, again, most leaving to the north.

These were feeding in shallow water, it isn't clear what on.

Meanwhile, these were on the banking. One male has a tentative peck at another, before going back to tell his mates how hard he is! The sticks in the background are all that remain of the old fish traps.

Great Crested Grebe 2

Two of several "resident" Carrion Crows. These were stripping
barnacles from the rocks

Oystercatcher 1,500

Curlew 2

Redshank 250

Knot just 9 flew south

Ringed Plover 4

Turnstone 25

Turnstone

South shore (Malcolm)

A pleasant afternoon stroll along the sea wall.

Redshank 54 resting on No.1 outfall.

Redshank

Shelduck 14

Wigeon 322

Some of the Wigeon making their way to Red Nab

There were smaller groups along the wall including a group of 11 near the wooden jetty. This group also consisted of a female Mallard. 

Although, in truth the group of Wigeon were concentrating on feeding and didn't exactly welcome the Mallard. Pretty sure that they thought that the Mallard was quackers (sorry!)

Female Mallard