Very heavy and prolonged morning showers, driven by a strong SW wind. Sunny spells after lunch the strong wind persisted, as it drifted to a westerly.
South Shore
These are some of Janet's shots from yesterday.
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| This Herring Gull is prising off a mussel on one of the harbour platforms |
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| It then drops it from height to break it open |
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| Red Admiral |
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| Common Blue. Both species present today as well, plus Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Speckled Wood and Large White |
I had a walk along the sea wall twice today (Malcolm). One in this morning's rain and one in the afternoon sunshine.
This morning my camera was stashed away until I sheltered behind the lighthouse.
Whimbrel 1
Common Sandpiper 1
Redshank 11
Kittiwake 1 juvenile seen from the lighthouse
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| It was being washed perilously close to the north wall rocks |
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| Then flew off to the south. Not easy flying against that wind, I could barely stand away from the lighthouse |
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| The sun broke through briefly. This is a Herring gull, also flying into the wind. Look how blue the sea is despite gale force winds. It is because today's tide was a very low neap tide. 3.4m low water 6.8m high water, so just 3.4m tidal range! The strong winds only really produce large waves when the wind is in the opposite direction of the tidal flow, there wasn't really any tidal flow to speak of today |
On the way back
Mediterranean gulls 2 adults flew along the sea wall
Rock Pipit 1 on Red Nab
It was a very pleasant walk in comparison this afternoon.
Mediterranean gull 6 adults were feeding on the beach by the wooden jetty, despite today's low water barely exposing it.
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| This was low water today and only a thin strip of beach was exposed |
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| Despite being close to the sea wall, there were lots of Sandmason tubes showing |
Middleton Nature Reserve (Janet)
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| The young Coot were practicing running on the water...... |
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| .........and so were the young Cormorants! |
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| Immature male Common Darter |
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| Aged female Common Darter |
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| Small White |
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| Large White |
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| Large White, with probably Small Whites behind |
