More Blackwits

Freezing overnight and a cool day despite the almost constant sunshine. The north wind varied between NE and NW

South shore - Malcolm 10:30 - 11:30

A scan along the waterline failed to locate any small waders so I just checked from the saltmarsh to Red Nab

Linnet 12 along the edge of the saltmarsh 

Pied Wagtail 10 on Ocean Edge grass

Rock Pipit 1 flew from foreshore to Red Nab

Shelduck 19 out from the foreshore 

Black-Tailed Godwit 13 feeding in the same area as yesterday between the end of the foreshore and Red Nab

This is the location. The culverted freshwater runoff towards the end of
the foreshore is in the foreground, Red Nab in the background. Some of
the Godwits in between 

They were finding small bivalves, seemingly easily enough 

The bird on the left has a bivalve

They were all feeding happily enough until the tide brought them closer together. There were clearly some opposing factions.

This one was seen off with a peck on the backside 

Some had already left, and this remaining group had a bit of bickering to do, before leaving in two lots to the SW

Wigeon 100+

Pale-bellied Brent geese 13. Another party made up of smaller units. First 8 arrived, then 3 plus another 2

Pale-bellied Brent Geese and Wigeon

Grey Heron. Also 3 Little Egrets on Red Nab

Small Tortoiseshell butterfly flew along the sea wall this afternoon - Kevin

Heysham skear - Malcolm 15:15 - 16:30

The tide was really too late for a proper check. I wouldn't normally start on this time/height tide till 15:45 so just the first few pebbles of the skear were exposed as I started. The sun was low and bright......but not for long!

Eider 200+ there are over 150 in this clip. There were many more further along but the low sun prevented looking that far.

Eider pair

Red-breasted Merganser 1

Great Crested Grebe 1

Oystercatcher c2000 - probably not more than normal, it is just easier to estimate numbers when you can see them all at once

Curlew 25 

Bar-Tailed Godwit 1

Redshank 60

Knot 1200 - they arrived in three lots from the south, 100, 800 and 300. I managed to see four flagged birds before the light was too bad. Unfortunately the three I managed to read have already been seen this autumn. The fourth is a new bird but I couldn't read the code.

Turnstone 25

This mean looking military jet roared past, without any of the birds seeming
to notice. I suspect that is because the strange looking thing in the sky is already
past before they hear the strange sound in the sky.

By this time the "evening" light was giving the birds a warm glow,
although I doubt they felt warm!

Bar-Tailed Godwit with Knot and an Oystercatcher 

Turnstone

Someone switched the light out!