Heysham Obs
Middleton model boat pond
Usually notable for Red-veined Darter dragonflies and 'dormant' in winter, it "excelled" itself this morning as every patch worker (but few others) will relate to:
Gadwall - pair (first of the year for the Obs area)
Med Gull - adult coming into summer plumage bathing - flew off SSW towards Potts Corner
Pochard - 5 males
Tufted Duck - 16
Goldeneye - 3
Middleton IE east Giant Hogweed forest
No sign of female Stonechat present 11/1, but two Wrens!
Heysham NR
First singing Chaffinch of the year
Twite ringing
The birds did not really behave this morning and there was a lot of disturbance. Nevertheless, with persistence, 20 Twite and one Linnet were caught. Surprisingly, considering ratios in the field, six unringed Twite were caught (& unringed Linnet). The retraps comprised birds from throughout the 2009 autumnal ringing, not just the later birds
Elsewhere
Ad drake American Wigeon present this afternoon at least with Eurasian Wigeon just north of the Conder/Lune confluence on the east side of the Lune. 41 Little Egret Ashton Hall roost (comprehensive count - last bird in at 1740hrs)
