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
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| 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
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| These are the 13 that flew east |
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| One of the saltmarsh Carrion Crows |
Shelduck 1
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| Shelduck heading south |
Mediterranean gulls 5 - 2 adult a second calendar year and 2 juvenile
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| Two Mediterranean gulls flying across the shore. 2cy bird top |
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| Two juvenile and an adult Black-Headed gull |
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| Heron having a rest on No.2 outfall rail |
Redshank 39
Turnstone 16
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| 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
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| It only got one talon in, but it was enough |
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| 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
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| Male Black Darter - first record within the recording area this year |
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One of several Common Darters
Migrant Hawker also seen |
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| Red Admiral |
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| Green-Veined White |
The insects love the Devil's-bit scabious |
| Small Tortoiseshell |
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| Painted Lady |
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| Two of four Painted Lady feeding here |
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| Large White |
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| Bumblebee sp |
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| 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
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| Most of the Tufted Ducks |
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| Not only were the Tufted here, they were also relaxed. They were mainly dozing. |
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| Male Gadwall, already largely out of eclipse plumage |
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| 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
