Heysham Obs
A brisk SE wind this morning sent most of the cross-bay vis to the south of the power station as per the count from just 30 minutes at Sunderland by John G. whilst checking a moth trap. Virtually nothing from across the bay passed over the NR. However, there was quite a bit of coatsl passage from the direction of Heysham Head, dominated by Chaffinch but also including a very early Woodpigeon flock. Vis increased after wind went further S at about 0910hrs.........but had to go!
Office area 0700-0930
Chaffinch - 188 SW (mainly flocks of 5-15) - an unprecedently high count for so early in the autumn (see also Phil Slade blog (in links sidebar))
Goldfinch - 23 SW
Linnet - 4 SW
Meadow Pipit - just 13 SE pre-0900, then 28 SE before 0930
Grey Wagtail - just two SE (one ringed) pre-0900, then 2 SE 0925hrs
Song Thrush - one high from the east then grounded
Skylark - 3 S
Swallow - 8 S, all after 0900hrs
Woodpigeon - flock of 13 high to south
Goldcrest - one heard 0930hrs
alba Wagtail - 6 SE pre-0900, then 5 SE before 0930hrs
Absolutely no sign of any warbler species until a single Chiffchaff at 0930hrs
Ocean Edge/outfalls area late pm (thanks Malcolm)
Arctic Tern - 1CY still stage 2 outfall
Wheatear - one Red Nab
