A wet day at the start of a wet week

Showers all day, some very heavy, particularly in the afternoon. The overnight SW wind moved to south in the morning.

Heysham skear - Malcolm 09:30 - 10:15

No Brent geese seen from the skear and none from Knowlys Rd later

Eider 36

Eider

They were feeding in the shallows, probably on small mussels. The female to the right eats something.

Oystercatcher 1500

No Curlews

Redshank 250

Turnstone 40

Knot 44 - conditions felt right for Knot this morning, but it is possible that this small group has been present throughout the recent quite period for Knot.

Knot and Oystercatcher

Imperial Rd - Malcolm 10:30

Buzzard 1 initially resting in the copse before flying east

Buzzard

Water Rail 1 squealing

Common Snipe 4 

Snipe heading off after being accidentally spooked

Redwing 4 south

Jackdaw 2 

Kestrel 1 male

Kestrel in a brief moment of sunshine 

Middleton Nature Reserve - Malcolm 10:45

Still a little ice around the fringes of the main pond. 

Mute swan - two adults by the feeding area, possibly the original female with her new mate. Or possibly the two new arrivals, the original female has a blue ring. One to check for if the opportunity arises.

There were 6 cygnets along the north side, but no sign of the other adult.

Gadwall and Mallard still present.

I went to check the "no swimming" pond, but it was deserted.

The "no swimming" pond ice free and empty.
Another shower was starting so time to head home.

After that it was armchair bird watching,
fortunately, Jays regularly visit my garden - Malcolm