Wednesday 26 September 2012

Lapland Bunting leads a mainly vis morning

Heysham Obs
After a predictable start with migrant Song Thrushes prominent, the rest of the morning was slightly disappointing as other night migrants proved to be thin on the ground and it was left to the overhead stuff to provide the quality bird with the exception of three separate scattered Treecreeper in the mist nets - the highest daily ringing total for this species!

Vis mig dawn to 1030hrs
Skylark - 7 SE
Meadow Pipit - 349 SE (a steady trickle afterwards up to at least 1530hrs)
Lapland Bunting - one quite low to the SE at 0735 accompanying a flurry of Meadow Pipit
Goldfinch - 47 S
Mistle Thrush - 2 SW
Swallow - 69 mainly north!  A number of small parties observed flying northwards still during the  afternoon over Torrisholme.
Cormorant - flock of 3 high to south
Grey Wagtail - 4 S
alba Wagtail - 21 SE
Kestrel - 2 singletons high and purposefully SE
Chaffinch - 49 SW, almost all early on
Woodpigeon - 2 SE
Siskin - at least 14 S (two "lots" heard only and counted as one bird)
Carrion Crow - 2 S
Linnet - 1 S
No perceptible movement by Greenfinch

Grounded
2 Wheatear, 3 Chiffchaff, at least 3 Blackcap, 7 Goldcrest, one unringed Robin & Dunnock, at least 8 Song Thrush first thing which flew inland.  Three Treecreeper ringed.




Insects
At least 5 Migrant Hawker around (SD45E & 46A) but only one Common Darter seen.  Small Copper NE reserve, 3 Comma, Peacock, 2 Red Admiral and 3+ Small Tortoiseshell, at least 2 Speckled Wood.   Common Marbled Carpet NE reserve (SD46A) and c5 Nettle Tap seen in each of SD45E & 46A areas