Heysham Obs
The only year tick today was two queen wasps in-off during the seawatching. A scattering of interest from the north harbour wall, but very few seabirds. The only incentive was to hope for a Red-rumped Swallow! Then after the above was written, a Heysham year-tick flew NE over the edge of the golf course in the form of a female or imm male Marsh Harrier, on size, probably female at 1337hrs
North harbour wall 0730-1200
Flava wagtail - one NE at 1100ish - normal flavissima-type calls i.e. mellow, not harsher like Grey-headed, but bird not seen
Jackdaw - two together in-off and purposefully NE - unusual [not resident in this area]
Sanderling - 4 in
Arctic Tern - 14+8 in
Swallow - 441 NE (MANY missed going 'behind')
Swift - 9 NE
Sand Martin - 1 NE
House Martin - 10 NE
Redpoll - all appeared to be Lesser - 33 NE
Linnet - 1 NE
White Wagtail - 3 NE
Gannet - ad behind IOM ferry
Kittiwake - 5 adults (flock) in with the second AT flock
Common Scoter - 2 out
Whimbrel - 8 in
Wheatear - one in-off
Inshore/off-passage
Purple Sandpiper - one with c85 Turnstone
Black Guillemot - around wooden jetty & off NHW
Common Sandpiper - one briefly on rocks
Med Gull - 1st W (same as the other day)heading towards outfalls
Sedge Warbler - one briefly on mound
Ringing/reserve
Nothing much as too windy for most net sites (3 Lesser Redpoll trapped). No sign of White-throated Sparrow but no (visiting) birders at all looking!
From the office
The autumnal vis mig seat outside the office produced a Marsh Harrier NE at 1337hrs. Surprisingly not noticed by the local gulls - perhaps the flightline was far enough to the east.
Insects
2 queen wasp spp. and 3 queen bumble bee spp. in-off
Elsewhere
Spoonbill still Griesdale mere. Osprey along Lune valley by Aughton Woods 1500hrs. No sign of the Chough at Warton Crag since Friday despite consistent observer presence. 7 Common Scoter of JBP but nothing else to 1300hrs at least. The two skuas off Knott End (one dm Pom) did not reach Heysham.
