Heysham Obs
At last a seawatch which over-achieved, albeit just a half-hour session possible as the wind edged fractionally back to the west and increased. Possibilities the next couple of days, including incoming tide in the evening for e.g. Manxies..............but where are the dedicated seawatchers with time?
North wall 0730-0840 (murk and the initial stages of clearance) (Mark), 0840-0900 (nowt as the immediate post-clearance had too much NW), 0940-1010 (surprisingly good) (Pete)
Arctic Skua - light morph out at 0830, ?same in close inshore at 0948, dark morph distantly in at 1004
Great Skua (Bonxie) - one out very close inshore, including over the wooden jetty 0954
Manx Shearwater - flock of three in at 0949
Gannet - 11 in Mark's session, 2 more 0955, one behind iom ferry
Razorbill -singleton in, close inshore at 1000
Fulmar - one behind iom ferry (at last!)
Mammal
Grey Seal 1005 off north wall
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.