Heysham Obs
The number of Chiffchaff dropped by the weak weather front suggested another YBW may have been missed this morning, but there was no one to do any fieldwork away from the two mist net operations. Bits and bobs of interest but no numbers of anything. Main feature was the first significant grounding of Song Thrush (for a west coast site!!) and a late Garden Warbler was the pick of the grounded stuff with a single southbound Golden Plover the best of the vis.
Vis by the office
Long-tailed Tit - 18 S
Coal Tit - 14 S in small flocks
Chaffinch - just 6 - where are they?
alba Wagtail - 15 SE
Golden Plover - 1 S
Mistle Thrush - 3 SW
Song Thrush - 22 grounded around the office all taking off and heading inland after the cloud lifted
Blackbird - 14 as above
Meadow Pipit - just 9 SE
Lesser Redpoll - 4 SE
Jay - 2 S
Redwing - flock of 5 W
Grey Wagtail - 1 SE late am - possibly blogger
Goldfinch - at least 3 migrants
NO Skylark!
Ringing at Middleton and Heysham
Reed Bunting (6), Chiffchaff (9), Garden Warbler (1), Wren (1), Bullfinch (1), Chaffinch (1), Song Thrush (1), Blackcap (3), Goldcrest (3), Robin (2), Meadow Pipit (4), Lesser Redpoll (3 plus control D519978), Coal Tit (3)
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.