Vagrant Emperor.......another one!

The light wind shifted from the south to south east and freshened slightly after lunch. High cloud with plenty of sunshine, although there was very heavy overnight rain.

Heysham Nature Reserve 

Report from Alan:

John and I set nets at Heysham this morning, the first time for us at that site for a while. Little movement overhead was evident to us apart from a distant group of Pink footed Geese heard but not seen and 12 Carrion Crows that gathered on a transmission tower near the office before moving off southwards.

Ringing totals were:

Wren 1

Dunnock 2 + 1 retrap

Robin 2

Blackcap 1

Chiffchaff 3

Goldcrest 18

Coal Tit 2

Great Tit 1

Chaffinch 1

Greenfinch 7

Goldfinch 2

Imperial Rd 11:15

I just had a quick look in passing and for once my timing was impeccable (MD). I'd just pulled up, opened my window and heard

Whooper Swans 8. They were flying low along a flight line from the fields at Heysham Moss and SW towards Middleton Nature Reserve. At least 3 juvenile.

Whooper Swans 

A few minutes later a Buzzard turned up and landed in a tree, initially mobbed by a pair of Kestrels, but eventually seen off by a pair of crows:

South shore 

I had a walk along the sea wall at lunchtime (MD). It was high water, probably the worst time on these spring tides, but I was on dog walking duty, so little choice of time.

Rock Pipits 2 on Red Nab - Janet took this nice shot 

Rock Pipit

Great Black-Backed gulls 12 resting on the wooden jetty 

Great Black-Backed gulls with Cormorants on wooden jetty

Wren 3 flitting around the scrub near the lighthouse. I normally get a brief glimpse of one here, but these were very open. Presumably one or two newcomers being challenged by the local(s)

Well fed looking Wren

Eider 5 female/immature in

Wigeon just 1 on saltmarsh 

No passerines around saltmarsh, presumably I'd missed a raptor visit

Jack Snipe 1

Kevin Eaves picked a more sensible time to check the wall, towards low water when the tide only reaches the wall towards the wooden jetty. And was justly rewarded with what will almost certainly be the best record of the year......

Vagrant Emperor 1 female in the scrub near the lighthouse 

Female Vagrant Emperor

This is Kevin's second record here in two years, the last one 9th November 2020. This isn't a lucky coincidence, we have established that there is a major insect flight path into this area when there is an east wind and warm sun, especially when the tide is out. Kevin checks whenever practical, and considering the time of year, he had hoped (although never expected) for a sighting today. 

Although the star, it wasn't the only insect around today. Janet spotted this Common Darter on Middleton Nature Reserve 

Male Common Darter

Also a Red Admiral on Moneyclose Lane