See archive for this day last year. The thing is the wind was not too far off being promising - just too much north in it and perhaps the weather was a little too horrendous 'down south'. Looks like all change tonight with an overnight corridor from at least northern France. Early start! A bit of a shame for the RSPB group but at least it didn't rain. Pics (all taken today) from Janet other than Osprey (Malcolm). Thanks for these.
Arctic Tern - 7 at low tide, 27 very distant later
Sandwich Tern - 30-35 at low tide
Common Tern - singleton at low tide
Shag - usual 2CY
Common Sandpiper - one by outfalls
Osprey - one causing havoc over Heysham skeer in the evening, then ESE
Guillemot - winter plumage/2CY harbour mouth area
Gadwall - one with chicks Middleton
Others
Redpoll - one north over Heysham Head
Great-crested Grebe - still 6 hanging in offshore
8 species of warbler for the RSPB group Middleton; surprisingly Whitethroat still absent there
Grey Seal - 2 offshore
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.