Heysham Obs
.........but last night in the context of this summer was pretty good with a nice calm cloudy spell, albeit with a shortage of millibars (pressure about 995?). Therefore National Moth "Night" was retrieved........ including a moorland trap successfully set near Cross of Greet! Single Small Elephant Hawk-moths in two of the traps were nice as was a latish Light Knot Grass and five Clouded Magpie. I don't think there will be much happening tonight or Saturday night. A shame.
At Heysham, the usual suspects were accompanied by Agapeta zoegana and Double Dart, the latter usually pretty regular here, but this isnt a 'regular' summer
Bird-wise, an attempt at seawatching was interrupted by zero visibility and the following were seen in about an hour
1 Manx Shearwater
1 Fulmar
1 Common Tern - I think only the second of the year!
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.