Wednesday 24 August 2016

Osprey highlight

Heysham Obs
Not a lot going for it this morning with clear conditions, quite a bit of moon, sun on the mist nets and below par vis mig over here.  The reduced number of warblers still included un-ringed Garden, two Lesser Whitethroat and Reed at Middleton but the Willow Warblers really nosedived

Middleton Swallow roost
About 50 birds, 20 odd caught including juv S094327 from memory and more certainly an adult Z759034...........and a Sand Martin.  Four ringed-elsewhere Swallows out of only about 50-60 birds.  What's going on!  One of the previous ones was ringed as a nestling at Preesall Moss and the other was 'reverse migration' from the Fleetwood roost - the first of tonights might also be from there.  Water Rail squealing.

Coastal stuff
Common Scoter - two pairs by Heysham skeer, then flew out as the tide started to rise (thanks Malcolm)
Horrible heat haze checking from Ocean Edge, but at least 16 Meds - mainly on Red Nab (7+2CY, 5 Ad, 4 Juv).  No sign of any Black Tern mirages.

Heysham NR
Osprey - one high to the south at 0815, sent even higher by seagulls over the PS
Grey Wagtail - 4 S
Tree Pipit -2 S
"No" migrant warblers perceived but a probable Spot Fly seen in rapid flight through the area

Middleton NR
Just a trickle of warblers in the nets - no real evidence of an arrival with 90% on the first round