Saturday 30 January 2010

House Sparrow and Greenshank shock

Heysham Obs
Ocean Edge
House Sparrow - despite the close season and presumed lack of spoon-feeding, at least one was heard amongst the caravans. Very rare indeed away from the Heysham suburbia at any time of year, but especially winter
Jack Snipe - 3 OE saltmarsh at HT
Snipe - 26 OE saltmarsh at HT

Red Nab
Greenshank - one sat on the rocks at high tide - very unexpected indeed as the tide did not seem high enough for any unsual displacement from e.g. Lune. First winter record.

Middleton
Little Grebe - first of the year
also: 4 Mute Swan, 8 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 39 Teal, 9 Tufted Duck, 3 Pochard, 2 Goldeneye, 10 Mallard

North harbour wall
Twite - 41 but too silhouetty to see any ring data
Med Gull - one adult

Elsewhere
Redhead Smew still at Freeman's Pool early morning but no sign of American Wigeon and no sign of any Waxwings at Caton by at least 0945hrs. Brambling female High Tatham with male Chaffinch influx. Male RBMerg, 7 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 14 Goosander Pine Lake.