This feels like the soporific days of summer where the migrant-related incentive is seriously blunted and alarm settings get later and later when the opposite should be the case. Mainly unidentified auks on a seawatch are not going to change that, even though there are surprisingly limited opportunities to see them here. Nailing a Puffin on a seawatch, currently the most likely new species for the year, does not encourage a daft o'clock start. A bit of cloud cover and showers and either a continuing easterly or a south westerly hooley is needed to restore the early morning cutting edge
Sea 0640-0745
Razorbill/Guillemot - 36 out
Guillemot - 26 out, I on
Sandwich tern - at least 24
Swallow - 8
Sand Martin - 1
Common Scoter - just one flock of 6
Rock Pipit - young still being fed in nest
Ocean Edge/Red Nab
Common Sandpiper - 1
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.