Hobby joins the raptor movement

Another fine day with a freshening SE breeze.

Heysham Nature Reserve 

Ringing report by Jean:

We caught 51 birds this morning. The main aim was to catch Grey Wagtails to fit them with colour rings. I managed to catch 2 out of 7 that flew over (Alan at Middleton NR caught 5 out of 6). 
The by-catch consisted of:
30 Goldfinch (only 3 retraps)
2 Greenfinch
2 Robins
3 Chiffchaff
1 Cetti’s Warbler
1 Reed Warbler
1 Wren
4 Blue Tit
2 Great Tit
3 Dunnock
The only “vis” apart from the Grey Wagtails was a single Swallow.
A Peregrine appeared from the coast with prey.

Two Roe Deer above the reserve office

A yellow butterfly flew/blew high to the north as the wind was really getting up. Almost certainly clouded yellow - Pete

At least 20 Swallows off Clay Lane near Heysham Moss - Janet

North shore (David Kaye)

Juvenile Hobby in off the sea Heysham Village beach plus 

Whimbrel 1

Wheatear 1

Sanderling 7

South shore (Malcolm)

08:45 - 09:15 saltmarsh to Red Nab

Swallow 2

Linnet 35 around the saltmarsh 

Linnets on the wing

Linnets on the roof

Little Egret 8

Little Egret

Mediterranean gull, just 2 on Red Nab

Osprey 1 flew south

Osprey, unwavering in its flight south

Interestingly, it lifted all the Oystercatchers off Red Nab, but the gulls were unmoved. It seems they are becoming accustomed to the increasingly regular Ospreys. The Osprey isn't in this clip, just its aftermath.

15:15 - 16:45 along the sea wall

Osprey 2 more, almost certainly additional to this morning's bird which looked determined to continue south.

One was resting on the post at the seaward end of No.2 outfall

It looks to have a blue ring

The second was fishing way out from the north wall

This clip gives an idea of location 

Mediterranean gulls 14 at least. 6 at least on Red Nab, 1 second calendar year on No.2 outfall another on No.1 outfall and 6 adults on the feeding beach by the wooden jetty.

2nd calendar year Mediterranean gull (left) with a Black-Headed gull

Some of the Meds on the feeding beach. The Sandmason worm tubes showing
well now. Hopefully they will provide some good feeding opportunities over this
set of spring tides

The Martin Mere ringed juvenile Black-Headed gull is still around 

Rock Pipit just one along the sea wall.

The warn SE wind was promising for insect migration, as I drove to Ocean Edge there were numerous Red Admirals and Large Whites on the move, so I was quite expectant. But there were fewer butterflies in the Nature Park than of late, and just a trickle coming in off the sea.

Small White 5

Small Tortoiseshell 1

Peacock 1

Janet took these in the Nature Park 

Comma

Female Common Darter