CES minimum

Heysham Obs
The Middleton CES was quite interesting but unfortunately had to be curtailed for the last 25 minutes due to work in south-west Cumbria and a realisation I hadn't factored in the full driving time in relation to tide height

The main interest was negative - I am obviously familiar with the song and various calls of Grasshopper and Sedge Warbler but saw and heard zero in 2.5 hours.  I hope this is not a repeat of the 2012 mass breeding failure and rapid departure.  Reed Warblers, on the other hand were quite noisy mobile and a few unringed males were caught along with a retrap of the Leighton Moss-ringed bird from earlier this summer - obviously breeding here.  Estimated at least 9 singing males

One unringed capture and two mobile and short-stay singing birds suggested that some Willow Warblers were already on the move

Other sightings included a singing Skylark and at least two audible Pheasants.......... 

Moths
A very brief check of the trap saw Small Clouded |Brindle of minor interest

Secondhand report

Heysham Obs
A report of a red darter spp on the model boat pond this late morning but too windy when I arrived early afternoon (couple per swan-feeder!).  Please can we have more info?

6 4-spotted Chaser and a male Emperor on 'fence' pond

6 Burnet Companion on a short wander Heysham NR and two Red Admiral seen late pm around the orange buddleia

Moth trap not switched on

Friday the thirteenth

Heysham Obs
Two 2CY Med Gulls outfalls (both unringed) - thanks Ian

Elusive Marsh Pug eventually located

Records for Wednesday 11th June 2014:
Heysham Obs
Creepy crawly news only today

Heysham NR
Marsh Pug - one found in sweep net almost certainly caught along the bank along the entrance road
Burnet Companion - several

Middleton NR
Wall Brown - one rescued from puddle
Burnet Companion - a few

Many Large Heaths have now emerged and are being released daily on Heysham Moss with the BBC in tow today


Records for Thursday 12th June 2014:
Heysham Obs
Ringing
CES ringing visit number five completed this morning. One downside of running a CES project is the frightening speed at which the 12 periods pass.  It's a little like counting the summer away and we are already now looking to visit six - half way through!

This morning's catch was typically small, normal for this site.  The majority were recently fledged young of common species but did include single juveniles each of Lesser Whitethroat,  Blackcap and Chiffchaff.

 Moths
A reasonable catch of 26 species, including the first Blackneck of the year.

ajd

Midsummer fence hopper

Heysham Obs

Middleton NR
Harris Hawk - one without jesses and seemingly nothing to do with gull scaring eventually flew off east
Little Ringed Plover - have young
Lesser Black-backed Gull - c40 nests on ind est roof
Herring Gull - c17 nests on ind est roof
Broad-bodied Chaser - male and female in NE corner of reserve
Hedgehog - not easy to see around here these days (thanks Justine):

 

Heysham NR

Following the earliest known Lancs Common Hawker in Hindburndale on Sunday, the same (I think) could be said of a BROWN HAWKER seen by the dipping pond today. 

Bee Orchid

Sunday 8th June at Heysham nature reserve

Red Admiral

Downpour

Heysham Obs
A quick look at the tide off Ocean Edge revealed a 3CY Med in amongst some rather poor visibility - shedload of gulls seaward end Heysham one (best watch from north wall).  Two Little Egret seen

Few Young Birds Yet

Middleton
A ringing session at Middleton Nature Reserve this morning was mildly disappointing.  There was little evidence of fledged young moving around, with only three juveniles caught - 2 Greenfinch and 1 Great Tit.
Four unringed Sedge Warblers and one Reed Warbler were trapped.  Many migrant breeding warblers are presumably still incubating eggs and therefore out of the picture until feeding begins.

ajd

Recent records

Heysham Obs
Sorry getting a bit behind with this


Dark-bellied Brent Goose - one flew 'out' past half moon bay on 31st May (thanks Malcolm)


A pretty thorough check of the gulls yesterday produced a typical result - nothing - other than about 675-700 common seagulls with fewer Common but more Black-headed than previously.  Still looking good!

Tuesday 3rd June

Heysham Obs
Not perfect, but a bit better look at the gulls today produced 675 with about 350 2CY Common - a very late influx after very few at the usual time earlier in the spring

The only 'oddity' was a 2CY Med - unringed

Moths
6 Burnet Companion recorded on the butterfly transect at various places around Heysham NR.  The trap held an increasing variety of common early summer species, but none of the local specialities.  By far the best was a single Figure of 80 - just about annual here