A Shag was preening on the wooden jetty this evening. It didn't move from this location in the 30 minutes I was in the area (17:30 - 18:00)
This spot on the jetty has been used by the long staying Shag, but it may just be the demarcation line from the 50+ cormorant on the end section.
The picture below shows the location, the Shag is the bird (black blob) on the extreem left of jetty. This is on the middle section, of what is left, of jetty.
Unfortunately, the distance and the light being behind the bird made it impossible, for me at least (MD), to accurately age, but no sign of crest.
Mediterranean gulls - 11 adult feeding near jetty in evening. 1 juvenile on outflows in morning.
Rock pipits - 3 on Red Nab this morning, 2 by lighthouse this evening. This one showing its feathers nicely.
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.