Wednesday 31 August 2011

The last of the flat calm mornings for a bit?

Heysham Obs
Excellent ringing conditions this morning but bits and bobs rather than masses of birds.  For example, the 'ticking Robinometer', a good indication of any action on past form, was registering zilch at Heysham NR office at dawn - the bushes were silent

Ringing
80 new birds included a smattering of warbler species: 2 Sedge, 4 Chiffchaff, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat, 8 Willow and 2 Blackcap.  Also ringed were 2 Grey Wagtail, 30 Greenfinch (over 300 in a month!) and 5 Robins, all of these appearing mid-morning when some dark clouds materialised

Vis Mig
Swallow - 54 SE
Tree Sparrow - 2 SE
Grey Wagtail - c7 SE
Meadow Pipit - just 4 SE (no Tree Pipit)
Carrion Crow - 4 east

Moths
A pretty decent catch included Toadflax Pug, Frosted Orange, Copper Underwing, a late Bordered Beauty and 17 Treble Bar