Heysham Obs
Really wild and woolly this morning, but without the rain. The sea was covered for about half an hour after an instant result with a flock of Kittiwake
North wall 1000-1030ish, then 1300-1330hrs
Twite - 35-37
Kittiwake - flock of 42-44 in, then landed on sea and 'invisible', 11+17 out mid-afternoon
Little Gull - perhaps the same adult seen from OE side and later in harbour mouth briefly, then later presumably the same feeding in the surf by Half-moon Bay
Elsewhere
Another good catch in the sheltered Millhouses trap included the first Ypsolopha ustella and Tortricodes alternella of the year. Nothing in the obs trap!
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.