Interesting Siskin recovery

Mainly overcast with a few showers, the initial SE switched to SW and began to freshen by evening. Very strong winds expected tonight.

Unusual Siskin recovery, ringed on 3rd March as young male at Heysham NR and caught again at Fernilee, Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire on 28th March.  This was 101 km to the SE, not the usual northbound spring movement

North shore - Malcolm 09:15 - 10:15

I went to check any Knot as the tide covered the skear, unfortunately that timing coincided with a prolonged shower.

Ringed Plover 5 

There has been a Ringed Plover presence high up the skear all winter, but either the birds have changed or new feeding opportunities have arisen. They normally feed among the stones and shells picking food items from the surface. But today they were probing the mud with their tiny bills and finding what look to be small worms. Can't think what exactly. Watch the leading bird catch one quite early in the clip. Also note they are using their feet to help detect or entice the worms.

There were c1500 Knot feeding along the waterline, I checked well over 500 of them but only managed a glimpse of one flagged bird.

Helliport - Malcolm 13:30 high water

Knot c1500 again, most on the sloping wall, but 200 along the top, unfortunately no flagged birds, even after a Carrion Crow caused them to take flight and settle again, with presumably some different birds on top of the wall

Some of the Knot on top of the wall and others hunkered down behind it

Oystercatchers not counted/estimated

Curlew 5

Bar-Tailed Godwit 1

Oystercatcher, Bar-Tailed Godwit and Curlew resting. But always with one eye open

Godwit displaying its plumage

Red-Throated Diver 1 in none breeding plumage had drifted in with the tide. It then took off, non too graciously, and flew west.

Red-Throated Diver just out from the Heliport wall

South shore - Malcolm 14:00 - 15:30

Pale-bellied Brent goose - none on Red Nab when I set off along the sea wall, but at least 17 when I returned 

Shelduck 2 on the saltmarsh 

Shelduck pair

Wigeon 2 males and a female on the saltmarsh 

Wigeon

Swan sp 2 - too distant and awkward an angle for a positive identification, but not Mute, most likely Whoopers 

Wheatear 3 males

Rock Pipits 3 

Kittiwake 9 - 8 adult and a 2nd calendar year mainly feeding on No.2 outfall, but also patrolling along the sea wall. This is the 2cy, just before it flew right over my head.

Middleton Nature Reserve main pond - Janet

Three male Mallard, a female and male Teal
with a partially obscured Moorhen between them

This shot shows just how tiny female Teal are

At the time of posting, the forecast storm was really kicking in, with strong SW winds and heavy showers. Hopefully some wind blown seabirds in the morning.