Heavenly squeaks

Heysham Obs
Much calmer conditions this morning and potential observers under the cosh with work or looking after mist nets. Therefore a vis morning which required the utmost attention, due to the height of the birds, received just 'sample' coverage. Mist netting saw most of the Goldcrests being females, signalling that we are definitely in the "second half" as regards passage of this species.

Vis mig
Meadow Pipit
Three sample counts reducing in duration as the end of day work deadline loomed! 133 between 0800-0900, 25 in 15 minutes early afternoon and 15 in 10 minutes at 1600-1610hrs. This gives a pretty consistent all-day passage, albeit very high and indiscernable in a noisy environment.

Other species 0800-0900 comprised: 1 Chaffinch, 8 Pied Wagtail, one Redpoll spp (very early for Lesser to be on the move), 4 Linnet, 3 Greenfinch

Grounded/ringing
15 Goldcrest, 3 Wren, 1 Robin, 1 Blackbird, 1 Blue Tit, 2 Chiffchaff were ringed. These were probably all at least short-distant migrants. A single Wheatear was at Red Nab.

Misc.
1st W Little Gull still around Heysham 2 outfall but no Shag seen around the waterfall or on the wooden jetty

Elsewhere
..........suggests we missed a passage Osprey within viewing range of Heysham - one seen flying over Warton Crag following at least one over south Lancashire. Returning male Marsh Harrier to Leighton Moss - identified as the bird of at least the last three years. Drake Scaup off the Stone jetty