Stop, start rain!

At least there were gaps in the rain today, not only that, they were visible gaps with sunshine allowing you to see the next shower arriving. When they came they were heavy and sometimes of hail. It was much cooler, peaking below 8°C, with a WNW wind.

Middleton Nature Reserve 

Janet checked first

Roebuck on the peninsula of the main pond, with 4 male and 3 female Shoveler

Roebuck and Little Grebe

Chaffinch - Finches are particularly susceptible to this scaling on the feet and legs. 

I checked mid afternoon - Malcolm

The water level on both ponds was notably higher, particularly on the "no swimming" pond. Still a pair of Mute Swans on each pond, but when I checked the main pond female was swimming with the male. I feared the nest might have been swamped, but Janet advised that the female was on the nest when she  checked.

Still 4 male and 3 female Shoveler on the main pond plus another pair on the "no swimming" pond.

Tufted Duck pair on the main pond, plus 2 female and 8 males on the "no swimming" pond

Mallard 6

No Gadwall seen

Little Grebe 2 on the main pond.

You need a long neck to preen if you have a long bill.....

.......and Shovelers certainly have long bills!

These are the "no swimming" pond pair

Some of the Tufted Ducks

Little Grebe

A bit further south

Jackdaws had invaded the Rookery on Middleton Rd...

.......but the Rooks soon cleared them off

There was no sign of the Green Sandpiper in the horse paddock across the road, but there was:

A White Wagtail 

A Mistle Thrush 

South shore - Malcolm

Same walk as yesterday along the sea wall, but timed between showers, I almost got back before a heavy hail shower.

Pale-bellied Brent goose 38 on Red Nab

Pale-bellied Brent geese

Shelduck 4

Shelduck, actually a drake with an impressive bill knob

Red-breasted Merganser pair

No Wigeon seen

The iridescent feathers on this Magpie were catching the sun nicely 

Wheatear 1 male

Wheatear

Pied Wagtail 1

Pied Wagtail 

Rock Pipit 2

Nothing of note along the sea wall or in the harbour. Despite it being a "nicer" day it was still wild, it was obvious that few people had ventured along the wall today as my path was blocked by a line of resting gulls.

Gulls resting on the sea wall

As I was setting back the next shower was clearly on its way. I got back as far as No.2 outfall before it hit. Fortunately, the wind behind me and hail bounces off you, so better than rain provided that you are protected.

This is literally seconds before the hail hit. The ship is still sailing in sunshine.... 

........but not for long!