With the main contributors away in the freezing north of Norway for a week, apologies for what will be rather sparse reporting.
Heysham
The last two broods of Great tits in the nestboxes were ringed today. Great Tits have done well this year with 9 successful broods.
Blue Tits have had a terrible year here with only one nest in a box. A brood of 9 young were raised to the half-grown stage but were all found dead today.
Two Burnet Companion moths were seen along with a number of Common Blue butterflies on the plateau.
Middleton NR from Wednesday 31st May
Gadwall - 2 with 4 and 8 chicks
Cettis Warbler - Now 2 singing from NE and SW corners of No Swimming pond. Apparently was only one territory there previously but perhaps a second bird has taken part of the territory.
Dragonflies
At least 4 Red veined Darters on model boat pond. A couple of examples of great shots taken by Stan Parrott reproduced here:
ajd
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.