This is about one month earlier than last year…

The weather in the early part of winter 2011-2012 has been warm, wet and very windy. This is because we are in a strong positive phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation, when high pressure in the Azores coincides with low pressure over Iceland, causing westerly winds and Atlantic lows to run into the UK, bringing mild and wet conditions.

There is an opposite condition, the negative phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation, when low pressure in the Azores coincides with high pressure over Iceland, causing Atlantic lows to run into Iberia, and cold, dry easterly winds over the UK.

The NAO is a modulation in the strength and position of the surface westerlies over the Atlantic. It exerts a dominant influence on temperatures, precipitation and storms, of the Atlantic sector and surrounding continents

The time series of the NAO for 2010 and 2011 is below.

So 2010 and January 2011 showed a strong negative phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation, corresponding to cold conditions, especially the winters.

The positive phase of the AO reappeared in the spring of 2011 (warm conditions). The North Atlantic Oscillation went negative in the summer (cold conditions) and back to positive from September 2011 until now, corresponding to the warm, wet and very windy conditions we’re experiencing. The winds are so extreme this year, it’s apparently affecting transatlantic flights.

Right now the NAO is trending down again.

Let’s hope the birds aren’t about to experience a snap cold spell.

Short-eared owl ( Asio flammeus)

This Short Eared Owl has taken to fly over the reserve towards dusk, searching for his prey.

Earlier in the day, geese were very prominent on the reserve. Canada geese were very noticeable.

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)

The geese seem to fill the skies when they fly close by.

At a distance, they are still impressive.

Barnacle geese were also present.

Barnacle goose (Branta leucopsis)

Also Greylag Geese.

Greylag Goose (Anser anser)

White-fronted geese were also on the ground amongst the other geese.

White-fronted goose (Anser albifrons)

Wigeon were the most widely seen ducks.

Wigeon (Anas penelope)

The small Teal ducks dabbled alongside  the reeds and onto the water.

Teal (Anas crecca)

These small highly patterned ducks contrast with the much larger, but drabber Gadwall.

Gadwall (Anas strepera)

In this picture we can see a Shelduck and a Curlew.

Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna)

Curlew (Numenius arquata)

Finally, a magnificent Grey Heron, close to the Phil Stead hide.

Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)

At Paddy’s Hole the boats are moored safely against the winds.

On the headland, gulls raise into the sky as I approach the tidal breakwater.

At the waters edge were Oystercatchers.

Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus)

The Oystercatchers mingle alongside other birds, especially the Bar tailed Godwits.

The Bar tailed Godwits are a delight in the soft evening sun. Their long bills probe the soft sand for morsels.

Their barred tail is especially noticeable when they fly.

Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica)

Once the sun sets behind cloud, their colour seems to change.

Sanderling follow the Godwit, like a class of children following their teacher.

Sanderling (Calidris alba)

Turnstone flash past over the sands, their distinctive wing pattern standing out.

Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)

Eventually he turned around and stared.

Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)

Then he sloped off into the long grass and disappeared.

Elsewhere on the RSPB reserve at Saltholme, the waders reign supreme in the skies. Golden Plover, Lapwings and Wigeon rise into the sky as a threat stirs them into action.

They circle around before finding somewhere to land again.

High in the sky small groups of Golden Plover pass by.

Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria)

On the ground, Lapwings show well in the sun.

Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus)

As do an unlikely pairing of a Wagtail and a Starling.

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba)

More from the Starlings later…

On the waters were two delectable ducks, a Shoveler and a Pintail.

Shoveler (Anas clypeata)

Pintail (Anas acuta)

Off in the far distance a flock of Greylag geese pass before the backdrop of Roseberry Topping.

Greylag Goose (Anser anser)

On a peanut feeder, a Great Spotted Woodpecker fed.

Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major)

Finally as the light began to fade, another evening spent in the company of soup and Starlings. This time, from Haverton Hill.

Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)

“The Twitchers report Starlings to the south west. Thousands of ‘em.”

The birds settle in the reed beds before us onlookers and call noisily into the night for others to come down and join them.

On reaching the reserve, Lapwings are climbing into the sky.

On the ground their colours show well in the bright sunlight.

But something unnerves them and they rise together, to form a desert of Lapwings.

Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus)

Hundreds of Golden Plover group together on the ground.

They also rise into the air in a vast flock, a desert of Golden Plover.

Once in the air the birds fly high

they group into smaller flocks

before descending back to the ground.

Sometimes mixed flocks of Lapwing and Golden Plover rise together into the skies.

Sometimes small groups of Golden Plover come close to the Saltholme hide, the better to appreciate the birds.

Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria)

They aren’t the only waders on the reserve. Redshank fly in.

Redshank (Tringa totanus)

And a Black Tailed Godwit.

Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa)

On the feeders were Goldfinches.

Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)

And on the ground was a Pied Wagail.

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba)

Shoveler were on the waters

Shoveler (Anas clypeata)

As were Wigeon.

Wigeon (Anas penelope)

as were Teal.

Teal (Anas crecca)

And a Moorhen, sharing the picture with a Teal.

Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)

Little Grebes were on the reserve.

Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)

At the other end of the size scale were Little Egrets, hunting on the waters edge.

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)

Mute Swan flew over the waters.

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

Greylag geese were also there.

Greylag Goose (Anser anser)

And Canadian Geese.

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)

As dusk falls, the geese fly over the reserve, looking for somewhere to settle for the night.

Out of the dusk, Starlings form into a large cloud of birds, a murmuration. This rapidly wheels and moves as a group as it tries to find somewhere to settle.

Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)

Eventually the birds dive down into the reed beds for the night.

Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)

A better picture can be found here, courtesy of Ian Forrest’s post to the Saltholme blog.

This is an extremely rare bird – first time on the reserve, and the first for 20 years in the area.

Wow!!!

A good contrast between a Curlew and the Glossy Ibis can be seen in this picture.

Curlew (Numenius arquata)

Similar shaped bills, but the longer neck and darker colours of the Glossy Ibis distinguish it from the Curlew.

Greylag Goose (Anser anser)

A stray Barnacle Goose landed on the reserve.

Barnacle goose (Branta leucopsis)

Also Canadian Geese.

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)

Clouds of Lapwings fill the skies.

Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus)

Pintail were on the waters

Pintail (Anas acuta)

A Cormorant sat on a post in the middle of the waters.

Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)

There were also waders on the reserve. First, a Redshank.

Redshank (Tringa totanus)

Then a Black tailed Godwit.

Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa)

Finally in front of the Phil Stead Hide  a real treat, about 2 to 3 dozen Snipe. Some of these were close in to the hide.

Snipe (Gallinago gallinago)

We have his patience and sunspot AR1302 to thank for the image!

The floor of the woods are covered in conkers.

The Dog Rose hips hang on the bushes, and soon the birds will come to eat them.

Here’s some footage of a passing Spoonbill, taken at long range under windy conditions!

Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia)

And there were more rarities, with Curlew Sandpiper displaying well.

Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea)

They look similar to Dunlin, with a curved down bill, but tiny in comparison to the Ruff behind them. They get their Curlew prefix from the shape of their bill. Here are Curlews for comparison, which are enormous in comparison.

Curlew (Numenius arquata)

In the background to the above picture are Canada Geese. They weren’t the only geese on the reserve that day, with Greylag Geese in the skies and on the ground.

Greylag Goose (Anser anser)

Hunting low across the fields was a Sparrowhawk.

Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)

And high in the sky in amongst the tangle of chemical works and pylons was a Marsh Harrier.

Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)

Ruff were present, close to Saltholme Pool hide.

Ruff (Philomachus pugnax)

Visitors to the Wildlife Watchpoint could see Goldfinches on the feeders. Here’s one, close to its chick.

Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)

And on the ground beneath the feeding station was a Stock Dove.

Stock Dove (Columba oenas)

Flying over the waters were Sand Martins

Sand Martin (Riparia riparia)

Mute Swan families were on the waters.

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

Shoveler and Gadwall were on the Bottom Tank, by the Phil Stead Hide.

Shoveler (Anas clypeata)

Gadwall (Anas strepera)

Finally, some pictures of a Little Egret that came close to Wildlife Watchpoint.

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)