No proper first light vis this am, but 21 grounded Meadow Pipit on Middleton NR set off northwards as soon as the early morning rain cleared. Three flew north during brief visit to office
Other sightings:
Little Grebe - whinnying individual on fence or no swimming pond (heard distantly)
Water Rail - 2+ western marsh scrape
Stonechat - passage male knowlys horse paddock
Iceland Gull - 3rd W moulting neck/throat freckling to 3rd S sw corner harbour
Chough - 2nd field above cafe - more subdued today in few minutes I was within its range
Velvet Scoter - I couldn't see it amongst the Eider but a lot of birds feeding i.e. diving and I wasn't at the best spot i.e. by chapel, but none of several birders I could see wandering about reported anything on info services
alba wagtail - 5 north
Green Sandpiper - on the pond next to industrial site just beyond recycling centre roundabout - just outside area but visible from
Small Tortoiseshell - first of year
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.