South shore - Malcolm 09:00 - 09:30
Just a walk from Red Nab to the saltmarsh again, but a little earlier in the rising tide today.
Pink-Footed goose 100+ north as I arrived
Pale-bellied Brent goose 10 arrived. Same number as seen feeding here yesterday, so possibly additional to the 34 on the north side yesterday. It's not an elephant in the background, just activity in the Power Station.
Wigeon 60 but more were arriving all the time
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| Wigeon |
Red-breasted Merganser 1 female.
You could see where she was feeding by the bubbles on the surface, she makes short work of a shore crab here
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| Female Red-breasted Merganser |
Shelduck 6 around Red Nab plus 16 out from the saltmarsh
Reed Bunting 2 around the saltmarsh
Middleton Nature Reserve main pond - Malcolm 10:00
As I arrived six Mute Swans were shaping to land on the pond, but changed their minds and continued south. I assumed that it was the six cygnets flying around, but no they were already on the pond, plus two adults. Then another adult came in and landed, the adult male immediately flew over to investigate. The new bird must have been a female as the male immediately began bonding.
It didn't last long! The other adult, clearly regarded herself as his mate, flew over and chased the other female off, but not away, she stayed on the pond.
Tufted Duck 6
Mallard 20+
Cormorant 1
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| Immature Cormorant |
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| One of the cygnets is still confined to the peninsula |
