Raptors on the move

A dry day after an early morning shower. Sunny spells and a light variable breeze.

South shore (Malcolm) 08:30 - 10:15

Linnet 45 around the saltmarsh 

Linnet

Carrion Crow 27 minimum, 21 flew in together, they had probably been feeding near the water line, rather than coming in/off. 13 flew to the east 8 to the north

These are the 13 that flew east

One of the saltmarsh Carrion Crows

Shelduck 1

Shelduck heading south

Mediterranean gulls 5 - 2 adult a second calendar year and 2 juvenile 

Two Mediterranean gulls flying across the shore. 2cy bird top

Two juvenile and an adult Black-Headed gull

Heron having a rest on No.2 outfall rail

Redshank 39 

Turnstone 16

Some of the Redshank 

Osprey 1  - it was fishing between the outfalls, not the same bird as yesterday which had an obvious white patch on its upper wing. 

It doesn't catch a fish this time.....

The next time it dived it came up with a Bass

It only got one talon in, but it was enough 

Another bird with no ring

It soon got a decent grip and flew off to the south.

This report from Adam is from the south of the recording area, but almost certainly involving birds from within the area.

Preesall: This morning in just over an hour had 51 buzzards and 7 Sparrowhawks go south looking from house in Pressall. All picked up coming south from maybe Heysham sort of direction quite high then gaining more height overland and continuing south .

Middleton Nature Reserve 

Janet checked early afternoon 

Black Darter 1 male near the pond on the southern section of the reserve

Male Black Darter - first record within the recording area this year

One of several Common Darters
Migrant Hawker also seen

Red Admiral 

Green-Veined White

The insects love the Devil's-bit scabious

Small Tortoiseshell 

Painted Lady

Two of four Painted Lady feeding here

Large White

Bumblebee sp

Drone fly sp

Chiffchaff 1 heard singing

I checked later in the afternoon (Malcolm). Unfortunately by that time it had clouded over.

Please note that access to the sides of the main pond is now cut off by new fencing. Although this can be a bit frustrating for those wanting to view the wildlife here, particularly dragonflies, it is to protect the wildlife from the excessive disturbance it has experienced over the last few years, culminating in the male Swan being attacked by a dog.

Perhaps the benefits of no disturbance are already having an effect. Apart from the Female Mute Swan with her 7 remaining cygnets, 11 Coot, and 10 semi tame Mallard, today there were 

Tufted Duck 11

Gadwall 2

Most of the Tufted Ducks

Not only were the Tufted here, they were also relaxed. They were mainly dozing.

Male Gadwall, already largely out of eclipse plumage

Male and female Gadwall feeding

Surprisingly the water level on the "no swimming" pond is 1m above its normal level. Very unusual for this time of year. There were also 6 Gadwall on the pond. Another 3 on the fence pond bringing the total to 9

Gadwall on the Fence Pond

Moorhen 3

Coot 15 total including several young

Grey Heron 1

Cormorant 1

Swallow 3

Cetti's warbler 2 singing

Blackcap 1 singing 

Chiffchaff 2 calling