Heysham Obs
A quick visit to Ocean Edge/Red Nab at high tide was almost too quick, indeed very much under the label of 'must do better'. A large Redshank roost on Ocean Edge saltmarsh was 'block-counted', determined to be the largest roost of the autumn so far and therefore deserving a more detailed count. It was only at this level of scrutiny that the moulting adult Spotted Redshank was located, albeit partially obscured. Need to spend more time on the other side of the Lune with the experts on picking this species out!
Ocean Edge/Red Nab just before high tide
Oystercatcher - 1,750
Redshank - 465 (only 4 juvs seen)
Spotted Redshank - adult well into winter plumage but still fairly blotchy on the underparts, therefore not standing out as a 'pale' bird - flew south approaching high tide with about 1/4 of Redshank. Rare here, but second in two years
Little Gull - adult
Med Gull - unringed juvenile on saltmarsh, 2CY on saltmarsh, adult Red Nab
Some interesting ringing recoveries received yesterday
Sedge Warbler
Ringed as juvenile at Middleton NR on 26/6/11
Caught by another ringer at Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire on 5/5/12 285km
Lesser Whitethroat
Ringed as juvenile at Middleton NR on 27/7/11
Caught by another ringer at Icklesham, Sussex on the very odd date of 5/6/12 423km
Lesser Redpoll
Ringed as a young male at Heysham on 1/4/12 (tape lured on vis mig)
Caught by another ringer at Bidston, Wirral on 7/4/12 72 km south!
So much for all the spring vis mig seeming to be of birds heading north!
Moths
At last a bit of east in the wind knocking the catch on the head - nothing of real interest with the best being Agapeta hamana
