Tuesday 28 September 2010

High level uniform murkiness deters landfall

Heysham Obs
Not quite right this morning - a blanket of cloud which was far too high and uniform at dawn.  Fewer birds than yesterday but a decent one in the form of a Redstart by the office at 0745hrs. Three Chiffchaff were ringed & at least 3 others were present along, four Reed Bunting were ringed but just a single Grey Wagtail.  Vis mig was a trickle of Chaffinch, Meadow Pipit and assorted (other) finch spp.  Two Redwing at dawn along with at least three olive-coloured Song Thrush (one caught) and two definite long-winged continental Blackbirds - all these seen descending from great height.   Migrant Blackbirds very unusual in September.  Yet another unringed Treecreeper caught.

More detail for the last two days tomorrow - sorry, but we are trying to mix coverage & the usual end of month rush with work, as often happens in September.

Vis mig by the office 0700-0900
Meadow Pipit - 43 SE
Grey Wagtail - 3 SE
Skylark - 4 SE
Chaffinch - 35 SW
Tree Sparrow - 4 SW
Pink-footed Goose - 45 S
Goldfinch - 9 SW
Siskin - 6 registrations but only 10 birds actually seen!
Linnet - 2 S
alba Wgtail - 15 SE 

North Harbour Wall Point

Shag (2 first winter) one bird feeding near Groyne and Mussel beds and out on mussel beds drying off.
Cormorant 60+
Pink-footed Goose 30 & 5 (1110 and 1125 hrs)
Eider 10+
Oystercatcher 3000+ flying NE to SE
Bar-tailed Godwit 140 (south of Outflow), 1 flew NE to SE
Grey Plover 2 (south of Outflow)
Dunlin 4 (south of Outflow)
Turnstone 120+
Curlew 300+
Redshank 100+
Med Gull 3 (2 adults & 1 juv/1st winter)
Common Gull 4
Meadow Pipit 12+ (mostly on Mound)
Linnet 30+ (mostly around Mound)
Grey Wagtail 1 (south)
Pied Wagtail 10+
Song Thrush (on Mound late on)
Goldfinch 15+ (on Mound then south)

High Tide at the Helipad
Oystercatcher 1500
Ringed Plover 2
Redshank 100+
Lapwing 23
White Wagtail 2