Middleton Nature Reserve - Malcolm
It was still raining when I set out, but a check of the two main ponds usually provides some interest on a wet day.
Main pond:
Mute Swan pair
Mallard 8
Shoveler 1
Coot 4
Moorhen 2
Cormorant 1
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| Shoveler |
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| Mallard pair and a Coot |
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| Mallard pair and a Moorhen |
"no swimming" pond. Surprisingly just two birds!
Mute Swan 1 although it wasn't Mute and was making contact calls, unfortunately no other Mute around to hear
Little Grebe 1
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| Mute Swan with a wry neck |
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| Little Grebe |
South shore - Malcolm 13:00 - 14:30
I was planning on just checking Red Nab, but somehow the rain largely held off and I managed a walk along the sea wall too
Linnet at least 120 at the saltmarsh
Shelduck 22 out from the saltmarsh
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| Shelduck and Redshank |
Wigeon 45 around Red Nab
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| The males are starting to moult into breeding plumage |
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| This one was having a good preen |
Little Egret 4
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| Little Egret with Black-Headed gulls, Oystercatcher and a Redshank |
Grey Heron 1
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| Fishing on the walk out |
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| Resting on the way back |
Mediterranean Gull just 1 adult seen
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| Mediterranean Gull (top) with a Black-Headed Gull and Oystercatcher |
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| There were lots of Black-Headed gulls feeding on No.2 outfall. There was clearly plenty of food for them again, but nothing else was with them. You can see the remains of the old wooden jetty behind |
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| Plenty of Cormorants on the wooden jetty, but I couldn't see any Shag |
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| Rock Pipit |
