A handful of inner bay Leachs Petrels moved out at various times during the dropping tide (missed the lot!). The outfalls attracted a few waifs and the incoming Ben my Chree was pretty good considering a freight ferry dragged some of the fare back out before it was in range
Arctic Tern - juv seaward end of outfalls mid am, then adult in with the Ben at 1220
Common Tern - at least three adults on outfalls/following ferries
Leach’s Petrel - one 0830, one 1030 and two possibly three others logged heading our way from
Stone Jetty
Sandwich Tern - adult out
Little gull - ad and a second ad/3cy with the usual bird just after a morning squall
Spotted Redshank - moulting ad out
Shag - ad or near adult by north side harbour mouth- Returning bird??
Med Gull - Czech ringed bird seen also six juvs, red nab not checked
Manx Shearwater - one out distantly
Kittiwake - 7 ad, 2 1cy behind Ben
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.