Heysham Obs
No time to do the outfalls and, disappointingly, no reports of the darvic ring numbers on Med Gulls, assuming they are still around
Middleton IE
The last forecasted "calm" morning for a bit saw a ringing session quickly negated by a combination of a breeze and sunshine and terminated by two very noisy motorbikes which spooked most of the Reed Buntings and the large Goldfinch flock. Highlights included two further Lesser Whitethroat. Interesting to compare the above-par Lesser Whitethroat 2007 ringing totals so far (27) with the below par Common Whitethroat (54). This certainly reflects the (at least) local breeding populations with Lesser 'in' a good week before Common this spring and in really good numbers. Common Whitethroat ringing totals usually about 4 x that of Lesser.
Vis mig (Middleton) (0630-1015)
Comprised: a flava wagtail, 6 Grey Wagtail c15 House Martin, 2 Meadow Pipit and about 5 Swallow. This is the first obvious wagtail passage this autumn
Half-moon Bay
4 Wheatear
'Dog-walk' pond
Kingfisher this afternoon (no fish? c/f good Emerald Damselfly population)
Insects
NO sign of any Clouded Yellow. Two late Southern Wainscot highlighted a meagre night with the portable moth trap in the reedbed. Two Ruddy darter reported on the Nature reserve along with several Migrant Hawker. Two male Emperor still flying at Middleton.
Elsewhere
Two unringed adult Med Gull by the Stone Jetty this lunchtime. Great White Egret, 3 Spoonbill, adult Curlew Sandpiper, c25 Little Egret on the Allen/EM Pools & juvenile Curlew Sandpiper reported in the evening
