Interesting goose just to the east

A fine sunny day with a light NE breeze

Heysham Nature Reserve 

Report by Alan:

There were no grounded migrants caught early this morning and the catch was largely made up of birds using the feeders.  There was a higher than usual proportion of retrapped local birds too. Another Cetti's Warbler was caught plus one Lesser Redpoll.  Greenfinches began to appear from mid morning onwards.
The total catch comprised:
Single Cetti's Warbler, Long tailed Tit (retrap), Great Tit (plus one retrap), Robin, lesser Redpoll and a retrap Wren.
Blue Tit  4 + 4 retraps
Goldfinch  4 + 6 retraps
Chaffinch  3
Greenfinch  12 + 1 retrap

Heysham skear - Malcolm 10:45 - 12:15

A very low neap tide that didn't expose much of the skear

No Eider, Mergansers of Grebes seen

Little Egret just 3

None of the Egrets were trying to feed

Oystercatcher c1500. Two Icelandic scheme birds were seen for the first time this winter period

Recent history awaited. Hopefully they have both been seen on their 
breeding areas in Iceland

Curlew just 8

Knot - a long thin line of Knot were arriving from the south as I was walking out. Probably returning birds after a a raptor attack. It must have been successful as they weren't disturbed again. Eventually c2800 ended up on the skear. I could only find three flagged birds, two youngsters ringed in the UK this autumn and seen here earlier plus an Icelandic scheme bird seen for the first time this winter.

Knot arriving in a line, instead of the normal swirling ball

Last sighting of this bird was off passage in Iceland in May this year

This Knot still in partial summer plumage 

Redshank c50

Redshank and Knot

Turnstone c60

Ringed Plover 5

Both the above species are well camouflaged in this terrain 

One Turnstone 

Two Ringed Plover

Just out of the recording area. 

Ross’s Goose with Pinkfeet.  First seen flying NW over Aldcliffe, then Heaton Msrshes.  Pete C saw it fly over while at Heaton Marsh. Its now with PfG opposite Sunnyside Caravan Park view from Oxcliffe Road

It spent most of day to east of Meldon Road visible from that road accessing the radar station  

See more on LDBWS website 

https://lancasterbirdwatching.org.uk/forums/topic/snow-goose/