Tuesday 23 August 2011

Should have been here earlier?

Heysham Obs
Nice weather synopsis this morning with a light easterly wind and cloud cover.  Simultaneous arrival by two observers at 0900hrs led to a bit of coverage and a scattering of migrants

Heysham NR office & area
Two nets were erected and kept under constant observation in case the cat materialised.  This involved setting up a temporary ringing station.  A decent variety with 6 species of warbler caught, but no great numbers.  Ringing: 4 Whitethroat, single Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Robin, 13 Greenfinch, 2 Blue Tit.  Retraps included two Blackcap.  No sign of cat or alarm-calling suggesting it was around

There were quite a few 'ticking' Robins around and the one trapped was 'migrant weight' at 15.5grms

A Reed Warbler was seen by the dipping pond

Red Nab/Ocean Edge at low tide
Med Gull - 2 x adult and one x juv
Little Gull - adult

Evening (6:30 - 7:30pm)
Three sites checked for Wheatears:
Heliport = 3
Half Moon Bay foreshore = 9
Heysham Head foreshore = 0 (lots of visitors about)
One adult male. rest female/juvenile (MD)

Moths
A bit more exciting with an Old Lady, the first autumnal Treble Bars, Canary-shouldered Thorn and Tawny-speckled Pug