Monday 16 April 2012

Slack unremarkable weather produces a trickle

Heysham Obs
By this April's standards so far, this was a 'good' migration morning!

Mid-morning Middleton fare.  Thanks Janet

Sea/north wall vis 0600-0700
Tree Pipit - 1
Meadow Pipit - 5
Linnet - 7
Wheatear - 1
Sandwich Tern - 60-80, possibly more
Red-throated Diver - 2 in
Common Scoter - flock of 5 'out'
Kittiwake - flock of 15 on the water, then flew high to NW
A few small groups of Eider whizzing about and a large darkish bird, being mobbed by large gulls as it flew fairly low to the north; always "in the heat haze" and impossible to gauge shape, but it looked more raptorial than Grey Heron, leaning towards Marsh Harrier/Buzzard spp.  Anyone see it from Rossall/Walney? (c0615-0620)

Ocean Edge foreshore
Wheatear - 4-5

Office area
Lesser Redpoll - 3+1+7+5+1+1+3 NE, 9 of them via being ringed
Meadow Pipit - just 7 NE
Linnet - 6 NE
alba Wagtail - 3 NE
Goldfinch - 6 NE
Siskin - flock of 4 NE
Willow Warbler - at least 3 migrants (2 ringed)
Chiffchaff - two ringed, possibly migrants
Sparrowhawk - four north-east together after gaining considerable height mid-am
Sand Martin - 2 NE
Long-tailed Tit - unringed singleton was most unexpected
Lesser Whitethroat - singing male still in the tank farm

Insects
First Green-veined White of the year