A warm sunny day with very light variable breezes.
South shore - Malcolm 10:00 - 11:30
A walk out along the sea wall just after low water. There was almost nothing walking out, no feeding gulls on the feeding beach, plenty resting on all the beaches, but no Mediterranean gulls seen anywhere. I had thought there could be an Osprey today, but there were none as I walked out. But returning from the inner harbour I saw that one had settled on the post at the end of No.2 outfall. Then a second Osprey approached from the north and tried to land on top of the post. You can see the first Osprey trying to warn it off.
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| But the second bird was larger, presumably a female, and landed anyway |
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| Both looked to be adults, the lower bird with a blue ring on its right leg. The other bird not ringed at all. |
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| This location shot shows the post at the end of No.2 outfall. Both Ospreys are resting on the post in this shot |
It was good to see that none of the resting gulls on the shore reacted to having two large birds of prey in the vicinity. They must be getting used to the presence of Ospreys
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| Cormorant about to take off |
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| One of two Little Egret |
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| One of c50 Starlings on the brambles between the lighthouse and waterfall. This one looking particularly smart in its winter plumage |
There were no Linnet or Rock Pipits seen between the lighthouse and waterfall. At this point there was no breeze at all and a few butterflies were drifting in.
Small White 3
Painted Lady 2
Meadow Brown 5, but likely residents
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| Painted Lady |
There were 2 Rock Pipits and two Linnet on Red Nab.
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| Linnet |
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| Rock Pipit |
In the Nature Park
Red Admiral 3
Painted Lady 2
Small White 3
Common Blue 1
Speckled Wood 2
Meadow Brown several
Migrant Hawker 1
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| Speckled Wood |
Middleton Nature Reserve
Janet has just been released from hospital after having pins and a plate fixed to repair her elbow. She just managed a quiet sit on the bench in the main pond car park.
There were a few damselfly, not Red eye, and a Common Darter.
All 3 mute were present.
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| Small White feeding on Fleabane |
