Heysham Obs
A late start but, for a change, this may not have missed a great deal as the Redwing passage seemed to increase in intensity after about 0900hrs
Vis mig 0815-1300hrs
Redwing - 5,632 - most of the movement west or north-west 'out to sea'
Fieldfare - 1 (first of autumn)
Chaffinch - 137
Siskin - 1
Meadow Pipit - 26
Coal Tit - 2
Pink-footed Goose - heard + 22
Common Buzzard - two from the south-west - one headed north, the other east
Kestrel - one east, one blogging
Linnet - 7
Skylark - 1
Grey Wagtail - 2 but both registrations may have been the ringed bird doing the rounds
alba Wagtail - just 2
Goldfinch - 17
Carrion Crow - flock of 6
Green finch - at least 9 perceived to be migrating
Greylag - two south
Grounded
2 Chiffchaff and at least 3 Song Thrush
North wall
17 Linnet ringed
Moths
2 Pink-barred Sallow
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.