Friday 17 August 2007

Dire seawatching

Heysham Obs
I know it is deceptive, but the line of wind generators really do look like an extension of that other nuisance, Walney Island, with respect to seabirds entering the Bay. About 1.5 hours over the last 4 days or so has, apart from a surprising flock of Common Scoter, not produced a single seabird (inc. tern!). It is difficult enough to get them to "turn round" or be blown round against the preferred direction without this windfarm. Stick to spring seawatching unless there is a period of howling onshore gales which do not go round to the NW!

North wall
No sign Black Guillemots. Ad & one 2nd W Med Gulls.

Reserve
Quite a few Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat and Willow Warbler scattered around but probably none of these exceeding single figures.

Butterfly census
Highlighted by 4 Gatekeeper and a fresh Painted Lady

Elsewhere
3 Spoonbill and up to 18 Little Egret Leighton Moss area. 2 2nd W and one adult Med Gull north Fylde coast.