Friday 3 April 2015

Good variety on Middleton but no arrival of summer migrants

Heysham Obs
Another colour ringed grey wagtail sighting today by Stuart sharp after two years of trying within his dipper study area . Seen at killington bridge on the lune east of killington services and seemingly a paired female on territory. Thanks Stuart !  This bird was ringed at Middleton on 20/9 and seemed to winter in the area being seen on several dates in nov and dec up to 24/12 but not since.

Middleton NR (mainly Malcolm - thanks)
Mute Swan 2+1+1 adult + 6 2CY
6 coot
6 moorhen
2 shelduck
1 little grebe
7 tufted duck
4 mallard
9 gadwall
1 teal (male)
Cetti's Warbler heard during brief visit at 0850, then singing about every minute from central marsh at 10:20. Slightly slower rate at 12:20, but back in normal corner.
3 chiffchaff
1 skylark (full display flight/song)
green woodpecker
1 pheasant
Vis mig
Didnt seem to get going until midday with 8 meadow pipits over Middleton to north (12:15) and 72 in 20 minutes over Heysham NR 1240-1300 when it went 'dead' again - a mass departure from a nearby off-passage gathering ground?

Ocean Edge
Single snipe
mistle thrush with beak full of worms