5.5 C to 20 C in 5 hours!

Heysham Obs

Outfalls/Red Nab

Med Gull: 1 x 3rd W (winter plumage head, 2nd w/s outer primaries not yet moulted), 1 x adult summerish, at least 1 x 1st S, 1 x juvenile

Wooden jetty

NNEW on the Black Guillemot

Heysham NR

As also recorded from the nearby accident repair centre on Westgate (dont ask), 60-70 Swift south in one hour over the Nat Res - this suggests they were moving on a broad front at a similar rate in the clear weather. House Martin status is always very difficult to define as they do a lot of circling until you suddenly realise they have gone, but c80 over Heysham NR was a very large count for birds which were simply 'blogging'. Just c20 Swallow with them.

Middleton IE

A ringing session spoilt by sunny windy conditions earlier than expected. Highlighted by adult male and 2nd brood juvenile Grasshopper Warbler

Worn tail on the adult male Grasshopper Warbler. It still has to make do with this all the way back to Africa before it can moult! Thanks Jean

Insects

The moth trap contained the first Least Yellow Underwing and Barred Rivulet of the year along with that eagerly-anticipated harbinger of the summer decline, Agriphila tristella

The butterfly transect on the reserve comprised: 12 Gatekeeper, 30 Small Skipper (massive reduction from the previous census), 4 Red Admiral, 3 Peacock, 3 Small Tortoiseshell, 50 Meadow Brown, 15 Green-veined White, 2 Small Copper, 7 Large White, 20 Small White, 1 Brimstone, 24 Speckled Wood

Dragonflies today were only casually recorded but included 5 Brown Hawker and two Common Hawker during the butterfly transect on Heysham nat. reserve & a single male Black-tailed Skimmer on the Middleton model boat pond.

Plants

Giant Hogweed taken from a standing position! It will be removed soon.

Elsewhere

Ringlet near Wray (just south of Smeer Hall) and two White-letter Hairstreak during a brief visit to Stairend. The pager suggests this area is dead as regards bird sightings - no doubt this might prompt someone to come up with Leighton Moss Spoonbills!