Heysham Obs
The forecast was for a completely clear sky this morning, therefore adjusted the Middleton CES three hours accordingly. First job was the clear frost from the windscreen i.e. an early start!
Middleton NR
CES was latterly spoilt by testing a motorcycle on the adjoining road from 0645hrs and nothing was subsequently caught in the best two nets. Prior to that it was pretty good for this time of year with quite a few 'new' birds and returning Sedge Warblers from previous years which had not opened their account in 2013. Highlighted by a Reed Warbler ringed elsewhere and a retrapping of the the French-ringed Sedge Warbler caught on the last CES, therefore nesting on site. Three birds ringed elsewhere on each of the first three CES visits. This has been the feature of this spring and so far the following birds ringed elsewhere have been caught/read in field: Lesser Redpoll (4, plus an ex-cagebird ringed in Chelmsford!), Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Sedge Warbler (2), Reed Warbler, Med Gull (Belgian ringed bird released from fishing line), Twite, Kittiwake (an ancient bird ringed in SE Ireland) and I think another I cant remember
Lesser Redpoll - at least six lots north totalling at least 11 birds - the passage is dribbling on and on this spring
Swallow - c13 north
Swift - c5 north
Gadwall - 2 males and female
Greylag - 2
Seawatching (Pete and Ian)
Red-throated Diver - 2 in sp 'in'
Common Tern - 18 'in' - the highest numbers for many years
Common Scoter - c20 distantly on the sea
Swallow - c5 north
Grey Wagtail - late presumed migrant north
