Another dry sunny day. A very light NE breeze switched to NW after lunch.
South shore (Malcolm) 10:15 - 12:30
A check of the shore out from the saltmarsh finally located a Curlew Sandpiper. Juveniles have been seen in higher than average numbers close by, but this is the first one seen in the recording area this year.
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| Juvenile Curlew Sandpiper |
It was feeding with 40 Dunlin and 30 Ringed Plover at the southern limit to the recording area, just out from the faux castle. Although, it wasn't really feeding "with" them, it was always on the outskirts of the feeding group.
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| This is the faux castle. It used to be a feature in a holiday camp. Now it is in the grounds of a new residential area. |
Grey Plover 3
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| Two Grey Plover a Dunlin and a Ringed Plover |
Oystercatcher 1200
Curlew 150
Redshank 58
Pink-Footed goose 51 - just one skein south
Little Egret 3
Grey Heron 1
Linnet c110 - there were at least 27 feeding along the finger of marsh between the saltmarsh and the faux castle. 60+ on the saltmarsh and 20 on the foreshore
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| Linnet along the thin strip of marsh grass and Samphire |
These are some of the Linnet along the foreshore having a rest and preen.
Wheatear 3
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| Wheatear on the foreshore |
Pied/White Wagtails 8 along the foreshore looked to be off passage (the resident birds tend to favour the grass).
Kevin had a walk along the sea wall later
One of those rare days when Snowdonia is visible! Few birds though.
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| Snowdonia visible from the end of the sea wall today |
Heysham skear (Malcolm) 16:00 - 17:30
The tide was just exposing the skear.
Shag 3 juveniles
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| Two resting on a rock |
The third was fishing around the rock
Eider 5 males and a female
Red-breasted Merganser 5. All female/immature
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| Red-Breasted Merganser |
Great Crested Grebe 3
Little Egret 9
Gulls c100
Oystercatcher 700
Curlew 30
Redshank 140
Knot 220
Turnstone 40
Ringed Plover 8
It was nice seeing the Knot in numbers, many of them were juvenile, I didn't see a single flagged bird.
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| Knot |
