Very light breeze between SE to NE. Sunshine all day.
Middleton Nature Reserve
Ringing and vis report from John
Grey Wagtail Bonanza
Thirteen were caught this morning. This in not ideal ringing condition, being clear and bright quite early. Also at least another ten were seen.
Other birds were few and far between with only another eight bird caught comprising.
Chiffchaff x 2
Willow Warbler x2
Blackcap x 1
Great Tit x 1
Wren x1
Robin x 1
South shore
Decent coverage today between myself, Janet and Kevin.
Rock Pipits 5
Meadow Pipit just one south
Wheatear 5
Sandwich Tern 4 together south
Canada goose 6 south
Mute Swan 1 immature turned up just before high water and was feeding in the fresh water from the culvert in the afternoon
Mediterranean gulls 4 adult 2 juvenile on Red Nab, unfortunately none ringed today - not sure what this juvenile was after, but it needs to hone its skills somewhat!
Janet took a nice selection of pictures, as ever best viewed by opening the images.
 |
| Starlings flying from the wooden jetty |
 |
| Rock Pipit on the sea wall |
 |
| Little Egret on the shrinking Red Nab |
 |
| Wheatear near the lighthouse |
 |
| Oystercatcher making their way to the feeding grounds |
 |
| Juvenile Black-Headed gull |
 |
| Adult Black-Headed gull |
Insects:
There were butterflies flying east along the sea wall, mainly Small Tortoiseshell but at least one Painted Lady. Also a large dragonfly (probably a female Emperor) came in off over Red Nab.
Around the nature park behind Red Nab were
Red Admiral 4
Comma 1
Large White 3
Small Tortoiseshell 6
Meadow Brown 1
Speckled Wood 3
Dragonflies:
Emperor 2
Migrant Hawker 1
Common Darter 4
 |
| Pair of Common Darter |
A second visit in the afternoon as the tide left the beach looked promising for insects, but surprisingly there were none coming in off near the lighthouse and no butterflies on any of the nearby vegetation. The only factor that perhaps wasn't quite right was that this was the point in the day that the breeze was most northerly. Even so, I would have expected some movement (MD)
Robin 1 near the lighthouse
Chiffchaff at least 3 - there were three together in the brambles near the waterfall. Also one near the lighthouse, which could have been one of the three.
 |
| Kevin managed a shot of one of the waterfall area Chiffchaffs |
Tawny Owl - one heard from Kevin's home early this morning. Not often heard away from Heysham Head.
It had been a hot day and these Turnstone took advantage of the calm sea to take a bath.
