Wednesday 9 October 2013

Frustrating Day

Heysham Obs
A bit of a frustrating day bird-wise with most of the plaudits at the moment going to a significant arrival of migrant moths where last night was most definitely the last chance weather-wise.
So the Millhouses trap was emptied early at the expense of early vis mig (one Vestal) and the Sunderland trap emptied later in the morning (Delicate, Rusty Dot Pearl, sev Rush Veneer).
In between times the Heysham trap was emptied(just Rush Veneer).

The outfalls and mound were visited, but in retrospect the wrong way round.  The very distant (from Ocean Edge foreshore) seaward end of Heysham One outfall held an interesting seemingly adult gull with rather contrasting grey/white upper wing, relevant size and white underwings.  Bonaparte's?
Unfortunately a Stena Line ferry then loomed past the wooden jetty with a long pure-white side and the gulls were completely lost against this background and the bird could not be relocated as it 'probably' followed the ferry and shifting the car also meant the scope was affected by wind-shake.
Annoying - could have nailed this on way or the other if I'd been on the 'other side' looking from the north wall. So a 'no claim' but 'keep a look out'.  Interestingly it last appeared during rough seas and a westerly sector wind.  No time to check later in the tide on Red Nab.

Inshore
Med Gull - at least 4 adults, one 2CY

Grounded
Goldcrest - 2 by office
Meadow Pipit - 11 mound, 7 Ocean Edge foreshore

Vis mig
Only managed 0915-0945ish
Chaffinch - 23
Goldfinch - 7
Meadow Pipit - 1