Strong wind all day, starting from south then moved SW. heavy showers throughout the day, but less frequent by the afternoon.
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The eye stripe breaks up the head shape quite effectively |
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.
Strong wind all day, starting from south then moved SW. heavy showers throughout the day, but less frequent by the afternoon.
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The eye stripe breaks up the head shape quite effectively |
The wind was much lighter today, as was the early rain. The rain finally petered out by mid morning, after that the sunny spells became longer and the afternoon was quite pleasant.
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JE right leg (white ring with black letters) red over white left leg |
The overnight wind had eased slightly and shifted to SSE, but it quickly shifted back to SW and freshened. Rain all day varying from torrential to extra torrential!
I think there was only me daft enough to venture out (MD)
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Mediterranean gull (top) with BHGs and Wigeon |
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male Teal seen through the bushes |
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Initially on the main pond |
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Female Goldeneye with three of the Shoveller |
Strengthening SW winds, showers early on developing to almost constant rain.
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This male was very "distinctive" |
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Including seconds! |
Strong winds from WSW to west. Very heavy showers with some sunshine.
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It's fixed on the same old surface water drain, so all old bearings will still be valid. |
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Common Snipe |
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Common Snipe with a few Lapwing |
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This is the slipway Rock Pipit |
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This, large, female Sparrowhawk had just caught a collar dove A male was also hunting |
It started off much like yesterday with heavy showers, but the gaps between them increased with more sunshine. By afternoon it was mainly sunshine. The wind was quite fresh initially south then SW.
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This one in winter plumage (possibly first winter) |
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This one, with Shoveller, Gadwall and Coot, in fading summer plumage. |
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This is the sp Little Grebe taking flight. Not easy with such a dumpy frame! |
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Redwing feeding on the relatively sparse hawthorn berries this year |
Winds from the south to SW. Heavy rain in the morning, giving way to alternating heavy and not so heavy rain in the afternoon!
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Mute Swan and a Cormorant |
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This Dunnock summed up the day! |
Wind started from the south then swung round to SW to WSW, showers eased by the afternoon with some sunny periods.
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It looks pathetic, and there is little natural food here, but if it remains it will be fed by the individuals who regularly feed all the mute. |
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Then it looked like he got a good scalding for going off without her! (MD) |
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Male Common Darter |
Wind from SW, rain for most of the morning some sunny spells by the afternoon.
The last of the current spring tides today, 9.20 metres is just enough to cover the saltmarsh in these relatively calm conditions. Normally, by the end of a set of high tides, the Snipe have got fed up of being flushed twice a day, and so numbers dwindle. Not so today, possibly because there seemed to have been little human and canine disturbance.
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Goldcrest feeding in crevices in a fence post |
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Blackcap bottom left. This bird is ringed. |
Another wet start, then mainly dry till mid afternoon. Warm SE wind.
Just my stuff so far (MD). Possibly more to come
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It was chased away several times by one of the Rock Pipits. |
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Eventually, an uneasy truce |
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but just enough time to find a snack |
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This female Common Darter managed to catch a beetle in the sunny break. |
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This Red Admiral was the only butterfly seen. It's admirable that it could fly at all! |