Med Gull: At least five with darvic rings - many sat and legs not viewable - Adults with green darvic (3), unspecified pale colour (1) and red (1) with juv seen very briefly with a 'pale colour ring' on Red Nab on incoming tide - very frustrating as couldn't quite read any of them with my eyes, but Pete had more luck with at least one of them
At least 23 Med in total (3 juv, 4 2cy, one obvious 3cy, rest ad/3cy)
Dunlin - unexpected invasion of 1,100-1,200 - nearly all in summer plumage - some flew off, but many stayed on the outer edge of Red Nab on the incoming tide
Little Ringed Plover - adult again by slipway on OE
Common Sandpiper - one by wooden jetty
Wheatear - first of autumn along OE foreshore
Coal Tit - juvenile ringed by Heysham NR office
Reed Warbler - juv ringed by Hey NR office
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.