Tuesday 29 March 2011

Early Willow Warbler and 14-0 to the south side

Heysham Obs
In the days when we had a couple of mist net rides at Red Nab (now too disturbed) there were some days when migrants were pouring in there, but very few indeed on the main nature reserve until an hour or two later (and in much smaller numbers as the birds dispersed).  On other occasions, the north wall and heliport areas produced the goods with very little at the "south end".   A belated check of Ocean Edge produced 14 Wheatears and 47 grounded Meadow Pipits and, just to check whether the late morning drizzle had produced any on the north side, the heliport/north wall was re-checked.  Zero. 

North wall 0745-0930
Red-throated Diver - different ones in and out
Red-breasted Merganser - flock of 6 out
Purple Sandpiper - 2 on seawall
Twite - 15 (6 unringed)
Meadow Pipit - 66
alba Wagtail - 5
Redpoll spp - 12
Linnet - 3 plus 4 on the seed
No Sandwich terns or Wheatears

Heysham NR 0800-0930
Meadow Pipit - 42
Redpoll spp - 16 (ALL as the nets were being set, far too late!)
Willow Warbler - one ringed
Redwing - one
Song Thrush - probable migrant flew high inland
Goldcrest - 3 (2 ringed)
Ringing a bit of a disaster as the batteries gave up on the Meadow Pipit tape after 20 minutes and I arrived too late after a misunderstanding!

Ocean Edge foreshore (1230hrs)
Wheatear - 14
Meadow Pipit - 47
Pied Wagtail - 5