More gulls

Heysham Obs
Different ratio of Common (145) and Black-headed (c250) today with fewer of the former and many more of the latter including a juvenile

Meds seen amounted to two x 2CY but a bit late for the outfalls and the totals were mainly Red Nab

The moth trap was very good with Lime Hawk-moth a rare visitor here and Small Fan-foot notable

Larid kick-off

Heysham Obs
Its looking good - both outfalls in full flow and lots of gulls including serious numbers of Common Gull for this time of year.  There has got to be something good in the next few weeks but it needs regular careful scrutiny as the pattern of e.g. ringed Meds suggests quite a bit of midsummer turnover

Outfalls/Red Nab incoming tide
Whimbrel - 1
Curlew - 156
Oystercatcher - 790
Common Gull - 235 (2 adult)
Black-headed Gull - 96
Med Gull - large summer adult, smaller summer 3CY, at least one 2CY

A working away day

Heysham Obs
Will upload some pics tomorrow - thanks Janet

Don't forget the day-flying moth and butterfly event on Saturday 20th meeting 0930 Heysham NR car park and spending most of the morning on Middleton NR

Eyed Hawk-moth in the trap this morning

New moth for the reserve

Heysham Obs
Pale Prominent was new for the Heysham office toilet trap today, although there have been two records on nearby Middleton NR.

At least one adult Little Ringed Plover and at least one well-grown chick seen today at Middleton

First Tufted Duck for a while on the ponds there

Nutmega

Heysham Obs
Nutmeg was new for the north harbour wall 10km square (SD36) - quite scarce these days and perhaps surprisingly so was Turnip moth

Decent haul in the Heysham NR office toilet trap with Shaded Pug the usual highlight at this time of year

At least one adult Little Ringed Plover Middleton

Midsummery bits and a few migrants

Heysham Obs

The CESes confirmed that there are a few baby Robins around and a couple of unringed adult male Willow Warblers were presumably on the move.  No sign of any young Sedge Warbler, but the adults were still in situ.  Described as 'slow'!

The butterfly census was all about variety and local quality, not quantity.  A worn pale Painted lady and similar Red Admiral were holding territory on Heysham NR as was a male Holly Blue (scarce here).  Three male Brimstone were still trundling around but no other ex-hibernators seen.   Two Burnet Companion and a single Mother Shipton were seen - below par for the ground covered. 

As promised some of Janet's recent pics - thanks Janet:

Little Grebe are pretty scarce these days and this male may be the only bird on site this breeding season



    

Mothfestish

Heysham Obs
The office trap done good this morning, but only in the context of what has been a very poor year.  Other than a very odd noctuid which might be an aberrant Mottled Rustic (check tomorrow), new for the year included Treble Bar, Double Dart and a definite Mottled Rustic.

Problems with computer, Janet - sorry will upload your pics from work tomorrow and add any sightings from the NLWG event today

Please note that there is a Butterfly Conservation visit to Heysham and Middleton next Saturday with an okay forecast in the context of this year.  Meet Heysham NR car park 0930hrs

Saturday 13th June

Heysham obs
Saturday
Two sandwich tern off the Heysham skeers per Malcolm

Shaded pug in moth trap

Friday
Male and teneral black-tailed skimmers Middleton model boat pond also sev large skipper and little ringed plovers seem to have fledged.

Thursday
Shaded pug in trap first decent catch for a bit also including ruddy highflyer - third of the year at this known site

Pics later from Janet . Thanks

SD36 strikes again

Heysham Obs
The bit of land in SD36 often produces surprises - one of which is that it can be very good for moths
Lou Cross located the first ever Mother Shipton for there this lunchtime and another was seen on Middleton looking rather tatty (see below)

Malcolm recorded the Little Ringed Plover party this afternoon along with a party of 10 Long-tailed Tit juveniles and taking Crane Fly identification beyond the daddy long legs level for the first time on this site - latin name for a black and yellow striped thing tomorrow

Earlier in the day, low-key midsummer ringing in the form of the Middleton CES took place - thanks John - and was quite productive for this time of year, including a juvenile Reed Warbler

Thanks for these Janet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Insects

Heysham Obs
About 5 Burnet Companion seen on Heysham NR, including one in SD45E