CES minimum

Heysham Obs
The Middleton CES was quite interesting but unfortunately had to be curtailed for the last 25 minutes due to work in south-west Cumbria and a realisation I hadn't factored in the full driving time in relation to tide height

The main interest was negative - I am obviously familiar with the song and various calls of Grasshopper and Sedge Warbler but saw and heard zero in 2.5 hours.  I hope this is not a repeat of the 2012 mass breeding failure and rapid departure.  Reed Warblers, on the other hand were quite noisy mobile and a few unringed males were caught along with a retrap of the Leighton Moss-ringed bird from earlier this summer - obviously breeding here.  Estimated at least 9 singing males

One unringed capture and two mobile and short-stay singing birds suggested that some Willow Warblers were already on the move

Other sightings included a singing Skylark and at least two audible Pheasants.......... 

Moths
A very brief check of the trap saw Small Clouded |Brindle of minor interest