A hazy start, the sun not really breaking through till after lunch. A west breeze freshened as it swung to NW.
South Shore - Malcolm 11:15: 13:30
In view of what we didn't see yesterday, I parked at Potts Corner and walked out to the waterline out from the saltmarsh. Then walked back in with the quickly advancing tide. Loads of Oystercatcher headed south as Red Nab was covered. A few Curlew headed south too but most would have already moved on.
There was nothing along the waterline except a handful of gulls and Oystercatcher. It felt odd being out here with so few birds around, it won't be long before there are thousands of waders here. At this point the tide was coming in at a slow walking pace, but a little later on a flatter stretch of beach, I had to walk as fast as I could. This isn't a problem as long as you know that there is a safe route back to the shore with no gullies to cross.
The only waders in the recording area were
Ringed plover 6 and Dunlin 2 feeding mid way up the shore.
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| Ringed Plover and Dunlin |
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| By this time the tide was high up the shore. These Dunlins were just south of the recording area....... |
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| .......but they were seen to fly north into the recording area with more Ringed Plovers |
Back at Potts Corner it was interesting to watch c30 swallows feeding on the insects lifted as the tide moved up the saltmarsh gullies - these are definitely just outside the recording area.
This from Janet
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| Painted Lady in my the garden. Not much again at MNR just Brown Hawker |
Heysham Nature Reserve - Malcolm 16:00 - 16:45
Just a quick circuit, hoping to see a Purple Hairstreak around the oak trees at the NW corner of the plateau. But not today.
Ruddy Darter 1 male on the boardwalk rail
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| Location shot, Ruddy Darter arrowed |
Common Darters several around the reserve
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| Common Darters |
There weren't a lot of butterflies around, partly due to the lack of flowers. Just Knapweed and fleabane were seen in bloom.
Red Admiral 2
Painted Lady 1
Meadow Brown 5
Small White 15+
Speckled Wood 10+
Common Blue 5
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| Small White |
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| Meadow Brown |
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| Common Blue |
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| Speckled Wood |
The Rudd in the dipping pond were showing nicely
