Adult Mediterranean gull on sea, out from Harbour, just before high tide.
Ocean Edge salt marsh - high water
Jack snipe 1
Linnet 15
Meadow pipit1
Lapwing 75
c6,000 Knot on shore just to south of salt marsh
Seaduck late afternoon
Eider - 185
Common Scoter - 3 f/Juv
Goldeneye - female north of the head - flew further north
Red- breasted Mergsnser - 2 redhead
Great crested Grebe - only two seen
Middleton NR
A very quick circuit of the reserve this afternoon with access limited by unsuitable footwear for the very high water levels.
Duck numbers and species much as in recent days.
Model Boat Pond:
Mute swan - 2 ad plus 4 imm.
Gadwall - 4
Tufted Duck - 2 (m+f)
No Swimming Pond:
Gadwall - 11
Shoveler - 2
Teal - 1 (!)
Mute Swan - 2
Coot - 1
Western Marsh:
Teal - 4
Snipe - only 1 seen flying
Fence Pond was birdless.
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.