Monday 24 March 2014

Good coverage and a smattering of migrants

Heysham Obs
This was much better coverage than of late, other than Malcolm's efforts on especially Middleton, especially the 'necessary' early morning stuff!  Highlights were the first two Sandwich Tern of the year, a Green Sandpiper at a rarely checked nook (along with four Greylags - the first of the year!!) and a sizeable flock of Whoopers on the sea




Heysham Nature reserve 0700-0930
Goldcrest - at least 3
Chiffchaff - at least three passed through
Song Thrush - one migrant headed inland
Meadow Pipit - 145 north in about 2 hours 0715-0915
Skylark - one north
Carrion Crow - flock of 8 chased off back south by locals
Bullfinch - female high to north - odd?
Reed Bunting - one grounded
Gadwall - pair visited the obs tower pond
Mallard -3 on obs tower pond
Siskin - one east
alba Wagtail - 11 north
Buzzard - 1




Outfalls (Heysham 2 back on and attracting birds)
Med Gull - 3CY
Common Gull - c60




North Harbour Wall
a) Feeder area:
Twite - 8
Linnet - 6
Goldfinch - 1
Robin - 1
Pied Wagtail - 2
b) Mound:
Chiffchaff - 1
Linnet - 2
c) Wooden Jetty:
Collared Dove 2
d) Channels:
Red-breasted Merganser - 1
Great-crested Grebe - 3
Red-throated Diver - 1
Eider - 240
e) Vis
Meadow Pipit - 13 (obviously many more but flying very high in clear weather)
Whooper Swan - 34 on sea gradually moving north. First seen at 0645
Mute Swan - 3 closer inshore then flew NE
alba wagtail - 3
Redpoll sp - 1
Carrion Crow - 3 singletons heading north across Bay
Goldfinch - 2 (may have been going to feeder)
Greenfinch - 1
Reed Bunting - 1

Sandwich Tern - 2
Pink-footed Goose - 43 north
Ocean Edge
Wheatear - 2 in afternoon



Eastern boundary
Green Sandpiper - one
Greylag - 2 pairs




Middleton NR
Distinct absence of Coot in the area at the moment with only four seen
Scaup - 2CY male
Tufted Duck - 9
Gadwall - 4
Teal - 2
Mallard - 1
Grey Wagtail - one
Chiffchaff - 3
Moorhen - 1
Meadow Pipit - 50 in an hour in afternoon




Moths
Included Emmelina monodactyla