Green To Red.

A couple of hours around Conder Green yesterday, then to Heysham to see if it would produce any major surprises as the tide come in.

Invariably you can hear Sedge Warbler and Reed Warbler at Conder Green, one of the former gave me good views, but not the latter on it's typewriter hidden in the reeds. Also a singing Reed Bunting, 13 Common Sandpiper were seen on the circuit, with a Snipe in the creeks, a male Kestrel was also over here. 

Black-tailed Godwit Conder Pool 17 July. Ian Pinkerton.

On Conder Pool, 9 Black-tailed Godwit later photographed closer by IP, these stunning birds were initially with up to 320 Redshank, 2 Greenshank and 2 Dunlin on the back terrace. Another increase by one with 7 Little Grebe seen, and c.120 Lapwing present. I saw just the one adult Common Tern today, still sitting for it's 18th day on Tern Island.

 

Little Gull Heysham Red Nab 17 July. Pete Woodruff.

A wander down to the south wall at Heysham Harbour was certainly worth the effort with an adult Little Gull seen, this bird of quality was found hawking with c.50 Black-headed Gull on No 2 outfall.

Earlier at Red Nab around 12.30pm, I eventually counted 10 Mediterranean Gull, all adult save one 3cy bird. When I returned 2 hours later they had all disappeared, but the Little Gull obliged for me here, close in as the tide progressed.

Thirty minutes around 100m of Heysham Nature Reserve produced, up to 40 Gatekeeper, 10 Small Skipper, 8 Common Blue including a more secretive female, 5 Peacock, 3 Red Admiral, 2 Speckled Wood and Meadow Brown. 

Another First. 

Small Copper 18 July. Pete Woodruff.

A Small Copper was a first for us in our garden this morning.