A force 7 WSW means seawatching:
Fulmar 1 out at 11:25. Once common in a seawatch, Fulmar is now scarce.
Kittiwake 15 out, 20 floating in, 5 others flew in:between 11:00 and 12:00
Eider 10 out.
Pintail - two flocks out 7 at 12:21 and 22 at 12:23 - see photo
Spot the Bar-tailed Godwits in the photo
Then it was on to the heliport for knotwatch. There were very few Knot on the top of the heliport and all of them were roosting one leg for ages. Eventually one of them put their other leg down to reveal an orange flag over green. Awaiting details of where it was ringed.
The pale-bellied Brents flew onto Red Nab before high tide.
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.