Heysham Obs
The Agonopterix in the trap this morning was liturosa, only the second record for VC60 and the second for Lancashire (one in 1986 at Gaitbarrows). It feeds on St John's Wort of which there is plenty here. The CES sessions at Heysham and Middleton were only a fraction above watching paint dry in terms of action. Rachel Carson would have felt at home. This time last year there were loads of contact-calling young warblers around. Is this the worst-ever breeding season for 'open'-nesters? Also where are the tit flocks? Subsequent to this posting, the Walney Obs one for 31st July makes interesting reading and another stark contrast to 2011 with resepct to warbler breeding success. See Links
Middleton NR 0545-0930
Teal - early individual central marsh
Swallow - c23 south
Swift - 9 south
Reed Warbler - 2 juvs ringed
Sedge Warbler - ONE juv ringed (similarly Whitethroat and Blackcap)
Grasshopper Warbler - 3, possibly 4 singing males (just about the only small birds making a noise!) and an adult female with brood patch ringed
Willow Warbler - 6 ringed
Ocean Edge/Red Nab incoming tide, then high tide
Med Gull - Juvenile, plus 2 adult and a 2CY
Little Gull - adult
Terns - none seen
Whimbrel - 3
Grey Plover - 75
Bar-tailed Godwit - 17
Redshank - 265
Curlew - 210
Oystercatcher - 1,300
Turnstone - 5
Dunlin - 14
Knot - 5
Moths
A few new autumnal things such as second brood Small Phoenix, Acleris emargana and Least Yellow Underwing but the rarest was Agonopterix liturosa (thanks to Steve Palmer for checking the pic)
