Early morning Owl

A dry day with some sunshine. A light south breeze early on shifting to the west later.

Heysham Nature Reserve 

Ringing report by Jean:

It was a much quieter day, migrant-wise, at Heysham, with only two Chiffchaffs, a Chaffinch, and a Grey Wagtail caught. A handful of Chaffinches flew overhead and 155 Pink-footed Geese. A Tawny Owl called while the nets were being set (06:20). Later in the morning the Goldfinches piled in to the sunflower hearts and 11 were caught but 5 were retraps. Almost as numerous were Greenfinches and 8 were caught (1 retrap). Another Great Spotted Woodpecker was ringed. Other birds ringed were likely local or else a recent retrap:
Wren 1
Robin 1 (retrap)
Great Tit 3 (1 retrap)
Dunnock 3 (2 retraps)
Goldcrest 1 (retrap)

Middleton Nature Reserve 

This report from Peter and Rosemary's visit yesterday 

Southern End:

Southern Hawker 3

Common Darter 3 pr Ovipositing

Male Common Darter 8

Female Common Darter 2

Speckled Wood 2

Heard:

Robin

Chiffchaff

Long Tailed Tits

Main Pond:

Male Common Darter 6

Mallard 7

Coot 1

Moorhen 1

Mute Swans 2

Heard:

Robin

Long Tailed Tits

Southern Hawker 

It seems that the darters are attracted to Peter's clothing....

......but it is the pale surfaces that attract them, particularly when it is not
so warm. The pale surfaces reflect more heat

Male Common Darter

Female Common Darter

There were three pairs ovipositoring at the south pond

Heysham skear - Malcolm 08:45 - 10:30

Eider 32

Eider

Little Egret 10

Waders, pretty much as recent including 2,000 Knot 

Some of the Knot coming in

There were a lot of young birds again, but not all of them. This one is
still largely in breeding plumage 

Curlew, Redshank and Knot.
4 flagged Knot were seen, 2 of them also seen last week

Dunlin and Knot. 
There is still plenty of sea lettuce awaiting the Brent