The first Redwing of the season arrived today in the Heysham area.
Vis over Heysham NR
Bullfinch 4
Kestrel 1
Vis over Middleton NR 0700-1100
Gentle breeze S3, 7/8 cloud clearing after early morning rain, very mild 16C
Mistle Thrush - 15 in one flock SE
Redwing - 7 (2 with the Mistle Thrushes, then 5 late morning)
Song Thrush - 1 E
Lesser Redpoll - 7 SE
Grey Wagtail - 2 (1 trapped and ringed), plus 1 hanging about the sewage farm
alba wagtail -5
Chaffinch - 6 SE
Jackdaw - 2 S
Jay - 3 E
Skylark - 2 SE
Goldfinch - 19 +45
Other species of note: Water Rail - 2 (one in each reedbed), Reed Bunting 2, Goldcrest 1.
The observatory was set up in 1980. It involves ringing,'vis mig' counts (including seabirds) and general monitoring in the Heysham Nature reserve/power stations/harbour area. The statutory moth trap is in place and also a daily log for butterflies, dragonflies etc. We share an office, kindly provided by EDF Energy, with the County Wildlife Trust. This is located next to the Nature Reserve car park. Do call in. Please leave sightings in the letterbox, ESPECIALLY 'fly-by' seabirds.