Heysham Obs
No reports from the coastal sites other than 2nd S Med Gull off the north harbour wall. Ringing efforts at Heysham (CES) and Middleton were stunningly unremarkable in the stronger-than-forecasted wind, other than the capture of three juvenile Bullfinch, an uncommon breeding species at the SW edge of its mid/north Lancs range (note Fylde status). The weather forecast for this (and the following week) is awful but there may be a chance to connect at last with Storm Petrel with westerly sector 15-20mph winds to the fore.
Middleton IE
In apparent 'vis mig' mode were three early Meadow Pipit and two early alba Wagtail. No perceptible hirundine passage but a Sand Martin at lunchtime was clearly not a local bird. Common Sandpiper and 2 Snipe also noted
Stock Dove
One flew over the model boat pond car park at lunchtime heading inland. This species is scarce in the Heysham area and the only chance to place it on the BTO/challenge list for British Energy properties is to record it along the strip of BE land running around the perimeter of the golf course and Middleton IE. See map in office. Could regulars please keep an eye open for this species which does not appear to be breeding on the IE this year. Thanks.
Insects
Plain Golden Y was new for the year in the moth trap. Single male Gatekeeper on the nature reserve. Dragonflies highlighted by Common Hawker on the nature reserve but Middleton IE was too windy - the fifth consecutive week the Sunday census has either been impossible or carried out in sub-optimal weather. I am pretty certain we wont see any more Red-veined Darter this year and suggest the colony has probably died out.
Elsewhere
TWO Yellow-legged Gull (Ad & 3CY) on the Lune at Glasson. Chough Warton Crag quarry late morning. Osprey Leighton Moss lunchtime & Hobby also there, showing from the "Osprey tree" layby late afternoon. Ad Med Gull Hest Bank roost (unringed). Four Ringlets on Thrushgill plantation "access" track by gate (first records for here) but no sign of any White-letter Hairstreak at the known site at Stairend
