Heysham Obs
Presumably one of last year's Green Woodpeckers was on the reserve this late afternoon - an unexpected bonus of a by no means guaranteed Heysham 'year tick'. This is because it is a BTO/Business Challenge year where everything seen and heard on EDF/British Energy property is added up and prizes given for various categories at the end of the year. Please note that the strip of land between the golf course and Middelton IE is technically BE property, along with the more obvious bits which also includes the whole(ish!) of Red Nab. Please contribute if you can. Thanks.
Middleton IE
The Mute Swan continues to reside in its tiny piece of water on the model boat pond and a single Water Rail was heard calling in the central marsh.
Giant hogweed forest (across the road from Middleton IE entrance)
Stonechat - one female
The above items were a product of the January survey covering SD45 on this side of the Lune. Unfortunately for recording purposes, the 10km square boundary runs right through the nature reserve.
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.