Are you sure it is only 27th September?

Heysham Obs
The morning started with scraping ice off the windscreen and a short 'vis' session saw a species composition more suited to mid-October than the last few days of September. The main themes were a very early thrush arrival with the earliest ever Fieldfare (27 years obs.) and an increase in the already perceptible Jay movement

Vis 0730-0930 by the NR office
Redwing - 158, mainly SW. The first was a grounded bird which headed inland at 0730, then swung SW, the rest were all 'vis'
Meadow Pipit - just 41 SE
Fieldfare - 2 SW
Yellowhammer - 1 south (rare here)
Blackbird - at least one migrant flew high inland with Song Thrush
Dunnock - one high to the south
Chaffinch - Just 5 SW
Greenfinch - 47 SW
Jay - 27 south, including a flock of 12
Goldfinch - 8 S
alba Wagtail - 7 SE
Siskin - 1 S
Swallow - 14 S
House Martin - 3 S
Woodpigeon - 6 S
Reed Bunting - 1 S
Tree Sparrow - flock of 7 SE
Carrion Crow - flock of 5 S
Song Thrush - 28 grounded birds high inland to the E. Those seen well appeared to be olive-coloured continental birds and this was certainly suggested by the behaviour (and associated species!)
Ring Ouzel - grounded adult(?) male flew high towards the SE corner of the reserve

Grounded
See above re-thrushes. At least 10 Goldcrest and at least 5 Chiffchaff

Chough
No sign on non-op or on foreshore but plenty of places it could still be.

Outfalls
1st W Med at long range

North harbour wall
Not checked

Elsewhere
Turtle Dove Cockersands late afternoon - flew towards Crook Farm. 'Stubble burning' at Cockersands produced 60-70 Skylark and 30-40 Meadow Pipit but no Laps. Great White Egret Leighton area. Ad & juv Arctic and ad Common Tern on Pine lake. Hybrid Ferruginous x Pochard at Leighton Moss late evening.

No sign of Chough but non-op not visited

Thanks to Simon for photos

Heysham Obs

Chough: I'll have a look on the non-op land tomorrow and let RBA know straight away. Unfortunately the favoured area therein is very difficult to observe. It could, of course, have departed!

Vis mig

A busy day today - little time:

0820-0920 - all birds heading between SE & SW

Meadow Pipit - 55

Chaffinch - 21

Grey Wagtail -1

Swallow - 6

Linnet - 16

Goldfinch - 3

Greenfinch - 14

Grounded

4 new Robin, 3 new Goldcrest and a new Chiffchaff ringed in a short session with 4 nets

Misc

Kingfisher again on Red Nab (5th day). At least one 2nd W Med Gull north wall:

Insects

Migrant Hawker photographed:

Elsewhere

Great White Egret Leighton Moss, but little else reported today other than some nice vis data from Lancaster University including Jay movement (see LDBWS site)

What a contrast to yesterday!

Thanks to Simon Hawtin for todays photographs
Heysham Obs

This morning dawned flat calm, not exactly what was forecasted, and all the ringers and vis miggers were caught out! Vis Mig belatedly carried out and it was excellent including further evidence of tit movement. The other theme was a number of birders searching for Chough and a few 'spin-offs', the most surprising being THREE Guillemot in the harbour - just like the old days!

Vis by the office 0930-1100 (south-west unless stated)

Green Woodpecker - juv headed south - rare here

Meadow Pipit - 454 south

Skylark - 7 south-east

Swallow - 15 (all low) south - prob most following coast

Goldfinch - 17

Siskin - 22

Reed Bunting - 4

Chaffinch - 53

Jay - 1+2

House Martin - 58 (unlike the Swallows these were high)

Great Tit - 11 south

Blue Tit - 36 south

Coal Tit - 19 south

Greenfinch - 11

Grey Wagtail - 8 south-east

Woodpigeon - 3

Pink-footed Goose - 27+45+5 south

alba Wagtail - 14

Dunnock - 2+1 high to the south

Merlin - prob female high to the south

see insects

Two flocks of Long-tailed Tits went through and at least the 6 or so pairs of legs seen were all unringed.

Grounded

Quite a bit with 5+ Chiffchaff in the vicinity of the hut and probably double-figures if, as seemed, they were moving through. At least 6 Goldcrest by the hut along with a male Blackcap. Plenty of Wren calling

as is often the case when they are on the move. Coastally there were at least 4 Wheatear around and a Rock Pipit on the north wall

Chough

Seen up until c0915 on the seawall, then flew on to the non-operational land and was not subsequently reported

Outfalls/Red Nab

At least two Sandwich Tern

Metal-ringed 1st W Med Gull (therefore not yesterdays bird)

North wall/harbour

Three Guillemot

At least 4 Med Gull (3 2nd W & Ad)

No sign of any Shag

Insects

Two Red Admiral south along the NHW c1100hrs. Migrant Hawker by the office as early as 0945hrs

Speckled Wood have had a rough time recently!

Elsewhere

Great White Egret Allen/EM Pools, Little Egret at Blea Tarn Reservoir, single-figure scattering of Curlew Sandpiper at coastal sites. Surprisingly little vis reported, other than Meadow Pipit over Carnforth Slag Tips, but there were two Rock Pipit at the Stone jetty and 5+ Chiffchaff in the 'dome bushes' there.

Strong onshore winds at last!

Heysham Obs

Seawatching

Three lots of about 45 mins each spanning 0755-1330. Nothing spectacular but a really good array of species

Pintail - 217 out (largest of 6 flocks was 69), Shelduck - 17 out, Pink-footed Goose - 26 south, Common Scoter - 2 out, Red-throated Diver - 1 in, Arctic Skua - dark morph ad in at 1015hrs, Bonxie - one out at 1145hrs, Sandwich tern - 5, Kittiwake - 6, Fulmar - 5, Shag - juv round the wooden jetty, Gannet - 1, Guillemot - 1, Little Gull - one ad in harbour mouth, Mediterranean Gull - 6 in the harbour mouth including a newly arrived 1st W, Knot - 3,500 out, Dunlin - 60 out ..........plus a couple of wheeling things in poor light/rain one of which was probably a Manx Shearwater.

Chough

Showing well this morning - up until 0940 it was by the large grey store in the non-op land (view through fence by the dog walk pond) and then it was on the seawall briefly between Ocean Edge and Heysham outfalls before returning to the non-op land

Ocean Edge foreshore & misc

A nice 'seen from' in the form of a distant Little Egret off Middleton. They are very rare in the Obs recording area. Also two Raven which eventually flew east. This species may be just about to lose its boldface status. A single Jackdaw flew over the roundabout at the end of the bypass.

Elsewhere

Afternoon visit to Pine Lke: Arctic Tern: ad & juv, Common Tern: juv, Ferruginous x Pochard female, drake Scaup. Great White Egret still Leighton Moss.

*Sorry about spacing problems above - cant seem to find a way to edit

Chough spin-offs

Heysham Obs
The extra Chough coverage is kicking in, most notably producing Kingfisher on Red Nab both today and yesterday

Chough
Showing very well early morning along the seawall between Red Nab and Heysham 2 outfall (see pics on LDBWS site) but one flush too many at 0930 and it flew towards the non-operational land. It reappeared on the seawall at 1220ish but was regularly flushed and again disappeared towards the non-op land/tank farm. This seawall is a regular dog-walk.

North harbour wall
At one stage, as the IOM ferry was departing port, there were FOUR 2nd W and a single adult Med Gulls around. Later an additional adult was seen with the Czech-ringed bird near Heysham One outfall. 4-5 female Eider offshore. Guillemot on the sea off the harbour early morning.

Red Nab/harbour area
Sandwich Terns on Red Nab reached a peak of 15, but turnover suggested perhaps 18 - a good total for late September. Two late Whimbrel were seen.

Grounded
c300 Linnet on Ocean Edge saltmarsh and 3 Wheatear.

Vis
Inhibited by the early morning weather but 30 mins 0845-0915 produced 21 Swallow an 16 Meadow Pipit heading south

Moths
The second Frosted Orange of the year and 3rd-5th Black Rustic. Two late Treble Bar.

Elsewhere
Drake Greater Scaup and female Ferruginous Duck x Pochard on Pine Lake this evening. Great White Egret, 24 Little Egret 8 each of Curlew Sand and Spotted Redshank but no sign of the Pec. Sandpiper on the EM Pool. Juv Curlew Sandpiper at Cockersands and perhaps the same at Sunderland given the direction the birds flew from.

Good coverage: Chough relocated

Heysham Obs
This was a funny day which was not too amusing for the ringers as the Grey Wagtail study missed a good morning due to equipment problems. Yet there were many positives, not the least the relocation of the Chough by Malcolm along the seawall by the outfalls! The other main feature was a very varied display of vis mig during a 3.5 hour period punctuated by requests to write down the ringing details of Blue Tits and other social responsibilities such as coffee making! As usual, the Meadow Pipit total probably suffered the most but there was plenty else to see.

Red Nab/outfalls
The Chough was located tearing at pieces of vegetation along the seawall and eating the contents. It remained all day, despite regular short-term disturbance. Does anyone know where it went to roost, please?

Vis Mig
By the office 0730-1100hrs: ALL heading between SE and SSW

Skylark 1
Chaffinch 135
Song Thrush 6
Jay 5
Meadow Pipit 229
Redpoll spp 3
Siskin 15
Greenfinch 27
alba Wagtail 26
Starling 56
Woodpigeon 5
Coal Tit 8
Goldfinch 37
Reed Bunting 2
Pink-footed Goose 21+12+127
Linnet 14
House Martin 68
Swallow 110
Mistle Thrush 8
Grey Wagtail 12
Sparrowhawk 1
Jackdaw 1

Comments: Jays were recorded on the move elsewhere today. The Chaffinch passage was most unexpected at this site so early. There is often a trickle of rather low-flying birds of presumed British origin but this morning saw the largest numbers for this 'early' in the autumn. The Song Thrush were definite migrants as is not unusual at this time of year (see earlier posting). The Coal Tit were definite migrants and the ringing plus observation also suggested some Blue Tit were also on the move but less 'obviously'. Jackdaw are rare at Heysham! Finally the Redpoll spp were by no means 'obvious' Lesser but no detail, other than vague size estimate, could be seen.

Grounded
3 Chiffchaff & 3 Wheatear but little evidence of anything else from the ringing (2 new Robin and 2 new Goldcrest being the only exceptions)

Misc
Two Raven, initially singly, 'blogging'. Two 2nd W Med Gulls during a short visit to the north harbour wall.

Elsewhere
Pectoral Sandpiper seen by experienced observers on the EM Pool this afternoon and presumed to be a juv, but views a little distant. Great White Egret & c24 Little Egret still on EM Pool along with 2-3 Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper. Drake Greater Scaup or hybrid was on Pine Lake late afternoon but light poor. Bill seemed ok for Scaup but colour tones not easy to discern.

wet wet wet dry sunny

Heysham Obs
A vertical rain day as the wind dropped to zilch. Cleared early afternoon and insects such as Migrant Hawker (2 on Middleton) and Speckled Wood were quickly on the wing. Most unusual was a group of 14 Swallow which 'leaf-fell' on to the water-turbulent seaward end of Heysham one outfall just like a flock of Arctic Tern in spring. They then flew purposefully north.

Harbour/north wall
Guillemot - one on the seaward end of Heysham One outfall
Sandwich tern - one offshore
Med Gull - just two 2nd W seen in a brief visit

Grounded
Three Robin were on the north harbour wall mound and at least 2 Chiffchaff around the nature reserve centre

Middleton IE
7 Teal & female Stonechat (first of the autumn)

Moths
The third record this autumn of (un)Common Wainscot

Elsewhere
Great White Egret Leighton Moss EM Pool

Bits and bobs on the sea

Heysham Obs
A bit frustrating as one observer had long-range views of what appeared to be a juv Sabine's Gull following the 1600 freight ferry but it was not possible to reach the other side of the harbour quickly and this remains just a possibility.

Seawatching
Two lots produced the following:
Black Tern - juv gradually making its way into the Bay early afternoon
Sandwich Tern - 9 offshore late afternoon
Kittiwake - 1+3+1 in

Vis
None recorded - no early morning visit possible in poor weather

North wall
3 x 2nd W and at least one adult Med Gull cruising around

Red Nab
3 Sandwich Tern roosting late afternoon (in addition to offshore birds)

No sign of the Chough in a thorough search of the non-operational land.

Elsewhere
Great White Egret, 2 Little Stint, 3 Curlew Sandpiper Leighton Moss/EM Pool. Guillemot off Stone Jetty

Medfest but no Chough reports in poor coverage

Heysham Observatory
Non-operational land/Ocean Edge
A brief check by car in driving rain this morning confirmed that the Chough was not at yesterday's location, as the 1415 sighting suggested it wouldn't be. Quick check of Ocean Edge foreshore area at low tide drew a blank. Plenty of suitable habitat on the un-covered Middleton IE site.

Red Nab
Adult Med at low tide

North harbour wall
FIVE Meds during an early afternoon seawatch, including one flying in-off out of the murk (2 x Ad, 3 x 2nd W). The seawatching was just that.

Grounded
Wheatear around the reserve car park and another at Red Nab

Vis
Non-existent other than 5 Swallows south during a short break in the wet weather

Elsewhere
Great White Egret, 2 Little Stint, 3 Curlew Sandpiper, c15 Little Egret EM Pool late afternoon. No wildfowl of interest during a thorough check of the Dockacres complex, so the female Ferruginous x Pochard was, on current info., a one-day bird. Definitely not at Leighton?

"Pull back" after 30 years!

Heysham Obs
In 1977, Tony Riden photographed a Chough on Heysham Head following severe November storms. Today, another was found on the Power Station non-operational land this morning. Unfortunately, current security measures meant non-inductees had to remain outside the site and the bird proved technically possible to see from the perimeter fence near the 'dog walk' pond (between reserve and Ocean Edge) but the only connection from there was a call at circa 1200hrs. When last seen it was presumed to be feeding on the Tank Farm, the raised area south of the nature reserve and notoriously un-viewable (e.g. Icterine Warbler most recently=2005). Therefore if you wait around long enough you should see it. It was later=1415hrs seen flying over the screening planting at the south of the BE properties towards Ocean Edge but 'not found thereon'

Ring details:
Ringed: NW Anglesey (site confidential) Pullus male (1/4) 29/5/07
Read in field: Heysham Power Station non-operational land 18/9/07

Heysham north wall

THREE second winter Med Gulls coming to bread/bananas etc. along the north harbour wall - this was the scenario reported the other day but wrongly thought to be an error. The usual adult was not seen and tends to be a high tide bird these days

Vis

Not really concentrated on with the Chough scenario and mist/whoosh nets out but upwards of 250 Meadow Pipit (prob many more), 4 Grey Wagtail and 4 flocks of Pink-footed Goose totalling about 140 individuals

Ringing

Unfortunately tractor activities early morning were a necessity and this led to a delay before Meadow Pipits could be taped and ringed. 3 Grey Wagtail, 15 Meadow Pipit and 2 Robin were ringed along about 5 Greenfinch

Moths

Green-brindled Crescent new for the year

Elsewhere

Great White Egret Leighton Moss.