An old friend returns

Sunny spells and a light SW wind

South shore (Malcolm)

I was busy this morning and didn't manage to get out till 11:45. The tide was well out and the gulls scattered and flighty. I only managed to spot 9 adult, 1 3rd calendar year and 1 2nd calendar year Mediterranean gulls.

Gulls between the two outfalls, there were 6 Meds amongst these

Adult (bottom left) and 3cy (bottom right) Mediterranean gulls

There were another 5 Meds on the beach by the wooden jetty including this
veteran. Ringed as a chick in the Netherlands 2010. First seen at Heysham in 2018
it has visited every year since. Unfortunately, since 2022 it has not been recorded 
wherever it has been wintering/breeding. Hopefully it will have been seen since it
left us last year. But either way, it is always good to see an old friend.

In the Nature Park:

Ringlet 2

Meadow Brown 2

Small White 7

Large White 7

Red Admiral 3

Small Tortoiseshell 1

Small Skipper 1

Large White

Small Skipper

This clip shows the Skipper drinking nectar from this Greater Knapweed

Imperial Rd (Malcolm) 15:30

Kestrel 2 both the male and female were hunting.

The female landed on the road with this kill. Unfortunately a passing vehicle
moved it on before I could see what it was

Raven 4 drifted north

Two of the Ravens

Middleton Nature Reserve (Malcolm) 16:00 - 16:45

I really went to check on the Red-Veined Darter status, unfortunately this was the only time in the day when there was a light shower. I only saw two dragonfly species.

Common Darter 2

Black-Tailed Skimmer 5

This female Black-Tailed Skimmer was ovipositoring 

It all looks very sedate, but it really wasn't - don't blink!

Red admiral 1

Meadow Brown 1

Green-Veined White 5

Comma 1

Speckled Wood 1

Mute Swan pair plus 7 cygnets 

Mallard 13

Gadwall 1 female on the fence pond, with at least one chick. 

The chick, was keeping out of sight, this was the best shot I managed.

Female Gadwall

Coot 6 adult plus 4 young and 2 older chicks

Coots with 4 young chicks 

Moorhen 4

Little Grebe 1 on the main pond. I tried to get a shot but it was only surfacing briefly. So I took this short clip, it shows twice mid frame.

Grey Heron 1

The resident Heron

Weasel 1 ran across the path in front of me.