Thursday 27 March 2014

Twa owls

Heysham Obs
The first Short-eared Owl headed north over the bay into the stratosphere at 0720 and there was 'no way' according to the observer it was a the bird flying low over Heysham NR two hours later

Quite a few male Chiffchaff passing through this morning with 6 ringed, at least 8 singing on Middleton and ones and twos in obscure locations in the area subject to survey work today

The other feature was a huge flock of waders off Middleton, including 10,500 Knot.

Short-eared Owl
One appeared from the south over the wooden jetty then spiralled up and headed north over the bay until lost from sight at 0720hrs.  At 0900hrs, one appeared in low-level flight by HNR office and went behind trees and may have landed

Middleton NR
Scaup - 2CY male
Tufted Duck - 14
Mute Swan - the 6 imms have disappeared but 5 adults, including breeding pair seen
Where, however, are the Little Grebes, they seem to have seriously crashed on here along with Coot
Gadwall - 7
Skylark - 1

Heysham NR
Meadow Pipit - in the region of 240 0700-1000 heading north
alba Wagtail - 10+ north
Goldcrest - three unringed birds

Harbour
Singles of Ad Kittiwake and Guillemot

Feeder
Linnet - 19
Twite - 8

Near miss
One male Ring Ouzel just east of the recording area between the telecom tower road and Heysham Moss mid morning