Too much effort early am in retrospect as we forgot the rule about seawatching - cover over the high tide even if it goes dead beforehand. A very experienced seawatcher saw an Arctic Skua, followed by a flock of three Pomarine Skuas flying towards the Kent channel mouth between 1050 and 1102, the latter went overland. Obviously went past us when no observers were present!
Sea early am to about 0945
Fulmar - one out
Arctic Tern - 34 in
Kittiwake - 1+1+3 in
Gannet - 19 in (and presumably some of these out)
Swallow - 29 in
Swift - 3 in
House Martin - 11 in
Shag - 2CY around, including sitting on wooden jetty
Whimbrel - 6
Ringed Plover - 4 in
Mixed Ringed Plover/Dunlin - migrating flock heard but not seen
Miscellany
Two pipits reported from wooden jetty area - this needs further investigation - and proof of breeding for a single isolated pair of Meadow Pipit on Middleton NR
Tufted Duck - pair Tim Butler pond
Cetti's - singing central marsh
Reed Warbler - a record five singing males Heysham NR
Creepy crawlies
Small Heath - 17 Middleton NR - all south end
Emperor - male Heysham NR - IOY, 2 male and one female Middleton
Broad-bodied Chaser - minimum of 30 on new scrapes
