Sunday 28 January 2007

Pinkfeet on the move

Heysham Obs

A skein of 750 Pink-footed Geese was flying above the bypass, visible from the NR office, early morning, before landing in adjoining fields. Another 300 were in a field to the north of Heysham Moss. In addition, at least 240 in 4 skeins later flew over the Obs recording area, seemingly heading NW.

Outfalls
A small influx of adult Little Gull with 5 adults on the seaward end of Heysham Stage One outfall (by the end of the wooden jetty) at low tide with at least one 1st W on the inner end of Heysham 2 outfall. Ad Med Gull seen at long range on the seaward end of Heysham one outfall - possibly the north wall bird. Two Kittiwake on Heysham 2 outfall

Harbour
9 Shag by the waterfall and at least one other in the inner harbour. 14 Kittiwake in the harbour, many having found suitable roosting sites. Only one adult seen.

Middleton Industrial Est Wetlands 08:30 – 10:00
2 Mute, 8 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 7 Tufted, 70(ish) Teal, 17 Mallard, 7 Snipe, 1 Jack snipe, 1 Pheasant (f), 1 Peregrine. (No Goldeneye or Little grebe seen).
The Teal were very flighty and were favouring water amongst reeds rather than open water. 70 was the most seen in flight at any one time.
Also, slightly unusually, 1 male Bullfinch (calling) and a single Goldcrest.

Freight ferry
9 adult Kittiwake (& lots of Common Gull) following it in as far as No 8 buoy before flying out again

North harbour wall
1st W Med Gull patrolling

Elsewhere
Polish-ringed Med Gull P96 [see below for updated details] was on the Lancaster City football pitch again. Another ad Med Gull was on the river Lune by the Golden Ball. The Little Stint was again present at Aldcliffe this afternoon but the Razorbill reported recently on one of the ponds was found dead. A single Hawfinch was reported from Woodwell. The 8 Lune valley Whooper Swans were seen again (details as yesterday)

Ringed Mediterranean Gull details
Poland FM11199 (Darvic red P96 (formerly P70)
Ringed Skoki Duze, Wroclawek, Poland AdF 19/5/01
Seen Battery car park, Morecambe 31/1/03
Retrapped and reringed: Skoki Duze 19/5/03 (nesting: paired with 5HR*)
Seen Morecambe Stone jetty (with 5HR) 8/3-18/3/04 (but no sign Skoki Duze 2004 breeding season)
Seen urban Lancaster, mainly Marsh estate area winter 2004/5
Seen urban Lancaster, mainly Marsh estate area autumn 2005-11/3/06
Seen urban Lancaster, mainly Marsh Estate area about 25/7/06-into 2007
Seen Morecambe Broadway area of promenade 7/1/07
Seen Lancaster City football pitch 17/1/07
Seen Lancaster City football pitch 28/1/07

*Wintered by the Stone Jetty from 1995/6 until its presumed death or or around 5/11/05