Wednesday 15 June 2011

Burnet Companion surprise

Heysham Obs
Janet Packham photographed a Burnet Companion moth between the office and the classroom today in association with Mother Shipton.  The level of observation in this area is reasonably good (& Mother Shipton regularly recorded), so must be occuring in very low density (one at Middleton NR several years ago was not repeated................but they are not known to disperse).  Photo later.

Outfalls/Red Nab
Med Gull - the first returning birds with a single adult and 3CY
Common Gull - 170
Black-headed Gull - increase to 157
Ringed Plover - the single chick has now fledged & is on the foreshore (PS non-op land pair)



Burnet Companion (top), Mother Shipton and Chrysoteuchia culmella taken by Janet on a quick browse on the 'plateau', between the classroom and the office.  The only other record of Burnet Companion in this area was by the 'no swimming pond' at Middleton NR in 2001

Moth trap
This wasnt bad either, highlighted by the first Broad-barred White, Double Dart (common here), Small Clouded Brindle, Barred Straw & Single-dotted Wave of the year............and a different Obscure Wainscot (3rd record)