Yellow-Browed Warbler

 Brisk wind ENE to NE with some sunny spells.

No post yesterday as there were nothing to report. Not because no one checked, there was a thorough check before the rain started c10:30. Specifically checking for YBW, so in this instance absence of evidence does suggest evidence of absence - not so today!

Middleton Nature Reserve 

Report from Jean:

Vis at Middleton NR 0730-1130

Grey Wagtail 3

Alba Wagtail 3

Meadow Pipit 1 (!) (Meadow pipits SE past harbour entrance @ c60 per hour)

Goldfinch 24

Chaffinch 1

Blackbird 15

Redwing 5

Song Thrush 2

Reed Bunting 5

Jay 1

There wasn’t as much small stuff in bushes as at Heysham NR. It’s a less sheltered site and the ENE wind was gusting force 5 at times. I haven’t got all the ringing data but these are the birds caught on the east side:

Pied Wagtail 2, Reed Bunting 3, Goldfinch 1, Coal Tit 1, Blue Tit 1, Great Tit 1, Long-tailed Tit 2 retraps, and a new Cetti’s Warbler (probably a migrant)

Afternoon check included

Cetti's Warbler 1 calling, not singing.

Jack Snipe 1

Water Rail 1

Teal 5

Gadwall 2

Little Grebe 1 in winter plumage

Another very thorough check from Dan H 

Heysham NR

0840-0915

Yellow-browed Warbler 1

Chiffchaff 2

Coal Tit 5

Goldcrest 4

Goldcrest with Chiffchaff watching on

Heysham Head 0920-1130

Yellowhammer 1 male - not common here. One also seen late morning over MNR, probably the same bird.

Blackcap 6 (including a flock of five!)

One of the Blackcap

Tree Sparrow 2 - again not common here

Wheatear 1

Chiffchaff 3

Goldcrest 4

Coal Tit 6

Treecreeper 1

Rock Pipit 6

Wheatear and a Rock Pipit

Vis

Meadow Pipit 110 E

Siskin 36 E

Skylark 19 E

Lesser Redpoll 1 E

Grey Wagtail 1 E

'Smithy Wood' 1130-1230

Blackbird 15

Coal Tit 

Song Thrush 5

Goldcrest 4

Chiffchaff 3

Blackcap 1

Moneyclose Grove 1240

Chiffchaff 1

Blackcap 1

Heysham NR 1250-1320

Chiffchaff 5

Goldcrest 3

Blackcap 1

Insects:

Common Darter 22

Migrant Hawker 14

Red Admiral 10

Speckled Wood 7

Brimstone 1

Moneyclose Lane / Dog Track 1320-1400

Goldcrest 11

Chiffchaff 3

Southern boundary path MNR 1415-1445

Coal Tit 4

Goldcrest 2

Chiffchaff 1