Heysham Obs
Red Nab/Ocean Edge foreshore on a neap high tide
Mute Swan - imm on the sea far offshore!
Little Gull - the usual three
Sandwich Tern - 2
Greenshank - one juv Red Nab
Little Egret - one OE saltmarsh channel
Ringed Plover - 31 Red Nab
Dunlin - 6 Red Nab
Knot - one Red Nab!
Med Gull - Ad W
Whimbrel - one
Moths
A small plume moth Stenoptilia zophodactylus, a mainly southern species, was found in the hut trap on 8/8. The occurrence here has a degree of logic as the preferred larval foodplants are common, especially Yellow-wort, which is otherwise a rare plant in the north-west (also Centuary spp.). This is the first record for VC60. Thanks to Steve Palmer for determination. A Plain Pug at a sheet and light session at Middleton IE on 22/7 was the fifth record for VC60 with one of these nearby in SD46B. Last night saw the first autumn brood Treble Bar in a small catch with cool overnight conditions
Butterflies
Red Admiral increased to 7 on the office buddleia but the only other species were Large & Small White (i.e. no Peacock or Small Tort.)
Mammals
Tree Rat Moneyclose Lane (scarce here!)
Elsewhere
Osprey Leighton Moss then flew off. Four Meds at Glasson - 3 adult (one green ringed) and a juvenile. Ad Yellow-legged Gull by green No 9 buoy between Glasson and Sunderland low tide late afternoon
The observatory was set up in 1980. It involves ringing,'vis mig' counts (including seabirds) and general monitoring in the Heysham Nature reserve/power stations/harbour area. The statutory moth trap is in place and also a daily log for butterflies, dragonflies etc. We share an office, kindly provided by EDF Energy, with the County Wildlife Trust. This is located next to the Nature Reserve car park. Do call in. Please leave sightings in the letterbox, ESPECIALLY 'fly-by' seabirds.