Saturday 29 March 2014

Nice low vis in strong easterly

Heysham Obs
A bit of coverage prior to work


Vis mig office & north wall 0715-0930
Meadow Pipit - 841 NE
Siskin - 14 NE
alba Wagtail - 39 NE
Reed Bunting - 5 NE
Linnet - 1 NE
Goldfinch - min 18 NE
Carrion Crow - flock of 9 NE
Redwing - one descended from height on to the reserve
Greenfinch - absolute min 2 NE


Grounded
Twite - 8 on feeder
Linnet - at least 17 on feeder
Coal Tit - one passing through HNR
Stock Dove - one with three Woodpigeon HNR - flew towards golf course


Walked from OE to Harbour and back again 10:20 to 12:10 (Malcolm).
Steady Meadow pipit migration totalling 477 birds. Small low groups most between 3 & 7 with a couple up to 14.
Count peaked between 11 & 11:50 which accounted for 337 birds. However the peak might be attributed to location rather than time. This was the period between No 1 outflow, harbour & back. That said there were reasonable numbers coming over OE foreshore, but very few over the saltmash.
Also numbers must have been increasing 151 birds first leg, 326 on way back. 
 
Also:
11 wheatear - OE
2 guillemot - Harbour
2 adult kittiwake - Harbour

Afternoon at Middleton (Justine)
Highlighted by
Swallow - 1 (IOY)
Barn Owl - 1
Meadow Pipit by this stage mainly grounded, including parachuting birds