Heysham Obs
North wall/Red Nab/outfalls
30 minutes early morning on either side of the harbour +/- reading the paper logged a negative for Black Guillemot (a lot of boat/dredger disturbance), a distant Cumbrian Gannet and absolutely nothing, albeit at an unhelpful stage of the tide, on the outfalls.
Red Nab late afternoon tide
Med Gull - moulting adult with inner primary missing on at least right wing - probably one of the two the other day
Knot - 587 in non-breeding plumage - unprecedented at this time of year - see discussion on LDBWS site via Links
Moths
Garden Carpet was new for the year (cue mirth from suburban trappers). Heart and Dart & Shoulder-striped Wainscot the most common moths at the moment
Elsewhere
Two Crossbill over Rigg Lane, near Quernmore. NNEW Leighton area.
Wednesday, 11 June 2008
10th June 2008
Heysham Obs
Birds
By far and away the best record from today was a 1st summer Med Gull with a red darvic. This was on Red Nab in poor afternoon light and was impossible to read - so much so I forgot which leg it was on! Also c210 Black-headed and 6 1st S Common Gull. Black Guillemot not searched for.
Moths
A major milestone today. A Figure of 80 moth in the trap whilst I was actually there! This species has been just about annual in recent years but remain scarce in north Lancs. Dearth of Cinnabar so far this year - ragwort removal is regular in this area, including certain individuals on the reserve.
Elsewhere
An astonishing c10,000 Knot estimated at Sunderland yesterday but no sign during long-range scans along Middleton Sands from OE foreshore at high tide. NNEW on Spoonbills from Leighton Moss.
Birds
By far and away the best record from today was a 1st summer Med Gull with a red darvic. This was on Red Nab in poor afternoon light and was impossible to read - so much so I forgot which leg it was on! Also c210 Black-headed and 6 1st S Common Gull. Black Guillemot not searched for.
Moths
A major milestone today. A Figure of 80 moth in the trap whilst I was actually there! This species has been just about annual in recent years but remain scarce in north Lancs. Dearth of Cinnabar so far this year - ragwort removal is regular in this area, including certain individuals on the reserve.
Elsewhere
An astonishing c10,000 Knot estimated at Sunderland yesterday but no sign during long-range scans along Middleton Sands from OE foreshore at high tide. NNEW on Spoonbills from Leighton Moss.
Monday, 9 June 2008
A low-key day of work!
Heysham Obs
Apart from being rumbled at last in a 'give me some money' spam [Dear Sir: It has come to our attention that you are an alien.........], it was a fairly quiet day with a couple of excursions to look at dragonflies and the tide.
Insects
Middleton IE
Several [5-6] Black-tailed Skimmer & 4-spotted Chaser on the model boat pond plus a glimpse of a smaller dragonfly, presumed teneral/female darter. Taken to task off-line for suggesting that teneral darters by the model boat pond at Middleton at this time of year are most likely to be Red-veined. This is based on eight years of observation where all darters until June Week Three at the very earliest have proved to be Red-veined at this site. This does not mean that there cannot be exceptions and this will obviously be the case if last summer's weather prevented pairing and ovipositing (the flying window suggests that they should have had time)! Therefore the original statement was not dogmatic. Lets see how this week, with its unfavourable temperature forecast, pans out.
Dog walk-track/pond
This refers to the 'landscape strip' running from the cream building towards Ocean Edge.
14-16 4-spotted Chaser
4 Emperor
Birds
225 Black-headed Gull outfalls but no sign of any Meds or terns
Harbour mouth not checked. Single 1st summer Knot on beach.
Elsewhere
Male Black Redstart singing from building-tops in NEW STREET, Lancaster, opposite the 'Junior Library'.
Apart from being rumbled at last in a 'give me some money' spam [Dear Sir: It has come to our attention that you are an alien.........], it was a fairly quiet day with a couple of excursions to look at dragonflies and the tide.
Insects
Middleton IE
Several [5-6] Black-tailed Skimmer & 4-spotted Chaser on the model boat pond plus a glimpse of a smaller dragonfly, presumed teneral/female darter. Taken to task off-line for suggesting that teneral darters by the model boat pond at Middleton at this time of year are most likely to be Red-veined. This is based on eight years of observation where all darters until June Week Three at the very earliest have proved to be Red-veined at this site. This does not mean that there cannot be exceptions and this will obviously be the case if last summer's weather prevented pairing and ovipositing (the flying window suggests that they should have had time)! Therefore the original statement was not dogmatic. Lets see how this week, with its unfavourable temperature forecast, pans out.
Dog walk-track/pond
This refers to the 'landscape strip' running from the cream building towards Ocean Edge.
14-16 4-spotted Chaser
4 Emperor
Birds
225 Black-headed Gull outfalls but no sign of any Meds or terns
Harbour mouth not checked. Single 1st summer Knot on beach.
Elsewhere
Male Black Redstart singing from building-tops in NEW STREET, Lancaster, opposite the 'Junior Library'.
Sunday, 8 June 2008
Kittiwake surprise & Black Guillemot seen again
Heysham Obs
The bird interest today was limited to a short visit by Mark Prestwood. This follows a National Moth Night which should have ended after the moorland session at about 1145, followed by a decent nights sleep and then wide-awake overnight trap checking & some birding, instead of being in sleep-deprived zombie mode for much of the day. The post-midnight 'sheet and lighting' was on a par with waiting at Aberdeen airport for the Citril Finch fog to clear - a complete waste of time. Interestingly, in retropect, we should have stayed at the original trapping site high on the Ward's Stone fell road [e.g. 7 Fox Moth, Northern Eggar, Glaucous Shears, Dark Brocade, Narrow-winged Pug, Red Twin-spot Carpet (strictly a moorland species in this area?) by 1115hrs, but another half hour or so might also have produced Grey Scalloped-Bar & Light Knot Grass], instead of trying to be clever and also include what turned out to be temperature-inversed lowland woodland later in the night. Hindsight is always stunningly logical. Thanks to Ian Savage and staff for giving special permission to use the fell road.
North harbour wall
Kittiwake - surprisingly an adult decided to follow a freight ferry into port - usually a midwinter phenomenon, especially at low tide!
Black Guillemot - in the harbour entrance early morning
Sandwich Tern - 2
Outfalls
Unproductive at low tide with no Meds.
Insects
Moth traps
The hut trap was highlighted by a Figure of 80, just about annual here, plus a Narrow-winged Pug. The actinic trap set in the marsh produced what was the first record for the site of Silky Wainscot [sorry, misidentified from pic. as Obscure]
Middleton IE dragonflies etc.
Colin Whittle's census was highlighted by a teneral darter spp. next to the model boat pond which was lost in tall vegetation. This is very early for Common but would be spot on for Red-veined. Hopefully a hot sunny day next week will produce the goods at this long-established breeding site. Black-tailed Skimmer emerged in force with 8 males and one female all on the model boat pond. Scattered throughout were: 9 Emperor, 59 4-spotted Chaser and plenty of the three common 'blue' damselflies with Large Red reaching the end of its emergence period (just four seen). The 'etc.' included Large Skipper, Small Heath, but no Wall Brown which have had a reasonable spring on here compared to other recent years
Elsewhere
By far and away the best local NMN moth which I know about was a Clay Triple-lines taken at Linda & Alec Greening's garden at Dalton near Burton-in-Kendal. This is in VC60 but also in Cumbria -its a third vice-county record but may be a new county record if that makes sense!! A phone conversation included the description of Leighton Moss as "quiet", other than two Spoonbill.
The bird interest today was limited to a short visit by Mark Prestwood. This follows a National Moth Night which should have ended after the moorland session at about 1145, followed by a decent nights sleep and then wide-awake overnight trap checking & some birding, instead of being in sleep-deprived zombie mode for much of the day. The post-midnight 'sheet and lighting' was on a par with waiting at Aberdeen airport for the Citril Finch fog to clear - a complete waste of time. Interestingly, in retropect, we should have stayed at the original trapping site high on the Ward's Stone fell road [e.g. 7 Fox Moth, Northern Eggar, Glaucous Shears, Dark Brocade, Narrow-winged Pug, Red Twin-spot Carpet (strictly a moorland species in this area?) by 1115hrs, but another half hour or so might also have produced Grey Scalloped-Bar & Light Knot Grass], instead of trying to be clever and also include what turned out to be temperature-inversed lowland woodland later in the night. Hindsight is always stunningly logical. Thanks to Ian Savage and staff for giving special permission to use the fell road.
North harbour wall
Kittiwake - surprisingly an adult decided to follow a freight ferry into port - usually a midwinter phenomenon, especially at low tide!
Black Guillemot - in the harbour entrance early morning
Sandwich Tern - 2
Outfalls
Unproductive at low tide with no Meds.
Insects
Moth traps
The hut trap was highlighted by a Figure of 80, just about annual here, plus a Narrow-winged Pug. The actinic trap set in the marsh produced what was the first record for the site of Silky Wainscot [sorry, misidentified from pic. as Obscure]
Middleton IE dragonflies etc.
Colin Whittle's census was highlighted by a teneral darter spp. next to the model boat pond which was lost in tall vegetation. This is very early for Common but would be spot on for Red-veined. Hopefully a hot sunny day next week will produce the goods at this long-established breeding site. Black-tailed Skimmer emerged in force with 8 males and one female all on the model boat pond. Scattered throughout were: 9 Emperor, 59 4-spotted Chaser and plenty of the three common 'blue' damselflies with Large Red reaching the end of its emergence period (just four seen). The 'etc.' included Large Skipper, Small Heath, but no Wall Brown which have had a reasonable spring on here compared to other recent years
Elsewhere
By far and away the best local NMN moth which I know about was a Clay Triple-lines taken at Linda & Alec Greening's garden at Dalton near Burton-in-Kendal. This is in VC60 but also in Cumbria -its a third vice-county record but may be a new county record if that makes sense!! A phone conversation included the description of Leighton Moss as "quiet", other than two Spoonbill.
Saturday, 7 June 2008
Bottle-nosed Dolphin highlight
Heysham Obs
Birds
Autumn is here. A supposedly routine scan from Ocean Edge foreshore, concentrating on the outer end of Heysham 2 outfall as the starting point for a gull count, revealed a passing Bottle-nosed Dolphin and a flying Ad Med. Gull in the foreground. Another ad Med. was at rest alongside the outfalls and a 1st summer was flying about with 2 1st summer Common Gull for comparison on the seaward 1/3 of Stage 2 outfall [2 x Ad & 1st summer Meds Stage 2 outfall]
On the negative side, continued disappointment with the Black Guillemot situation, with no sign of any birds this morning. If, and it is a very, very big 'if' something was happening in one of the harbour wall holes [the wooden jetty seemed to have been deserted for as the main focal point for some time], the highest ones were (just) flooded by the SW wind-pushed tide two days ago. The previous day had seen extremely agitated behaviour by the male IN the harbour.
Insects
Two Mother Shipton moths "nailed" for NMN day/night on Middleton IE, along with a Treble Bar. The Friday night moth trap catch does not qualify for NMN but included first of the year in the form of Dusky brocade, Flame, Ingrailed Clay, Setaceous Hebrew Character and a Buff Tip i.e. (very) routine species! More notable was a high count of four Shaded Pug.
Mammals
Unexpectedly impressive with a single (?) Bottle-nosed Dolphin making its way out of the bay in front of the freight ferry 'Shield', a Grey Seal off the north harbour wall (by no means a routine sighting) and another freshly dead Hedgehog on Moneyclose Lane along with an unseasonal and unwelcome (live) Grey Squirrel. Finally a stoat crossed the road between the office and entrance gate.
Elsewhere
Two Spoonbill Leighton Moss area (following just one reported yesterday). 20+ Clouded Magpie Moths trapped at Dalton (near Burton) on sheet and light last night! Adult Long-eared Owl on a tree-shaded fence alongside the conifer plantation next to the Lower Lee fell road just before dusk but no squeaking gate calls from any young when in audible range for a short period just before midnight(2+ Short-eared Owl further up the road).
Birds
Autumn is here. A supposedly routine scan from Ocean Edge foreshore, concentrating on the outer end of Heysham 2 outfall as the starting point for a gull count, revealed a passing Bottle-nosed Dolphin and a flying Ad Med. Gull in the foreground. Another ad Med. was at rest alongside the outfalls and a 1st summer was flying about with 2 1st summer Common Gull for comparison on the seaward 1/3 of Stage 2 outfall [2 x Ad & 1st summer Meds Stage 2 outfall]
On the negative side, continued disappointment with the Black Guillemot situation, with no sign of any birds this morning. If, and it is a very, very big 'if' something was happening in one of the harbour wall holes [the wooden jetty seemed to have been deserted for as the main focal point for some time], the highest ones were (just) flooded by the SW wind-pushed tide two days ago. The previous day had seen extremely agitated behaviour by the male IN the harbour.
Insects
Two Mother Shipton moths "nailed" for NMN day/night on Middleton IE, along with a Treble Bar. The Friday night moth trap catch does not qualify for NMN but included first of the year in the form of Dusky brocade, Flame, Ingrailed Clay, Setaceous Hebrew Character and a Buff Tip i.e. (very) routine species! More notable was a high count of four Shaded Pug.
Mammals
Unexpectedly impressive with a single (?) Bottle-nosed Dolphin making its way out of the bay in front of the freight ferry 'Shield', a Grey Seal off the north harbour wall (by no means a routine sighting) and another freshly dead Hedgehog on Moneyclose Lane along with an unseasonal and unwelcome (live) Grey Squirrel. Finally a stoat crossed the road between the office and entrance gate.
Elsewhere
Two Spoonbill Leighton Moss area (following just one reported yesterday). 20+ Clouded Magpie Moths trapped at Dalton (near Burton) on sheet and light last night! Adult Long-eared Owl on a tree-shaded fence alongside the conifer plantation next to the Lower Lee fell road just before dusk but no squeaking gate calls from any young when in audible range for a short period just before midnight(2+ Short-eared Owl further up the road).
Friday, 6 June 2008
Ornithological doldrums but another county first in a North Lancs moth trap
Heysham Obs
Birds
Just about as bad as you can get at high tide with one distant Manx Shearwater the star of the show. Black Guillemot seen in the harbour mouth in the morning, but no sign afternoon. One Sandwich Tern the only other transitory bird worth mentioning. Little Grebe & 3 young on fence pond, Middleton.
Moths
A reasonable catch highlighted by a late Least Black Arches (rare here). Also single Shaded Pug, Foxglove Pug, Poplar Hawk-moth, Broom, Rustic Shoulder and 3 Shoulder-striped Wainscot, a very common moth here.
Dragonflies
A little windy and cool at Middleton IE with no sign of any Black-tailed Skimmer or darters on the model boat pond. Two Emperor and about 6 4-spotted Chaser casually noted on other ponds
Elsewhere
Lancashire's first Saxon moth came to light in more senses than one as a j-peg was received by the county (micro) moth recorder of a capture near Haweswater last week. Nothing of interest found on the pager/LDBWS site yet i.e. no news on Spoonbills, Ospreys or Xbills.
Birds
Just about as bad as you can get at high tide with one distant Manx Shearwater the star of the show. Black Guillemot seen in the harbour mouth in the morning, but no sign afternoon. One Sandwich Tern the only other transitory bird worth mentioning. Little Grebe & 3 young on fence pond, Middleton.
Moths
A reasonable catch highlighted by a late Least Black Arches (rare here). Also single Shaded Pug, Foxglove Pug, Poplar Hawk-moth, Broom, Rustic Shoulder and 3 Shoulder-striped Wainscot, a very common moth here.
Dragonflies
A little windy and cool at Middleton IE with no sign of any Black-tailed Skimmer or darters on the model boat pond. Two Emperor and about 6 4-spotted Chaser casually noted on other ponds
Elsewhere
Lancashire's first Saxon moth came to light in more senses than one as a j-peg was received by the county (micro) moth recorder of a capture near Haweswater last week. Nothing of interest found on the pager/LDBWS site yet i.e. no news on Spoonbills, Ospreys or Xbills.
Thanks for the late info!
Heysham Obs
North harbour wall
A late message saying the Black Guillemot was still present
Red Nab/outfalls
c100 Black-headed and c15 Common Gulls
Moths
Eyed Hawk & Latticed Heath of note
Mammals
Grey Squirrel and freshly dead Hedgehog along/on Moneyclose Lane
Elsewhere
Nothing as far as I know. NNEW (to me) re-Leighton Moss.
North harbour wall
A late message saying the Black Guillemot was still present
Red Nab/outfalls
c100 Black-headed and c15 Common Gulls
Moths
Eyed Hawk & Latticed Heath of note
Mammals
Grey Squirrel and freshly dead Hedgehog along/on Moneyclose Lane
Elsewhere
Nothing as far as I know. NNEW (to me) re-Leighton Moss.
Wednesday, 4 June 2008
Earlyish morning megadross
Heysham Obs
"Highlight" of the morning was two flocks of Canada Goose totalling 38+24 trolling around but never seen to land in the area. Presumed breeding Water Rail on Middleton IE the afternoon highlight.
North harbour wall 0845-0930
Sandwich Tern - 1 out
Black Guillemot - one in harbour mouth doing nothing (c/f yesterday)
Red Nab/outfalls
Black-headed Gull - 205
Common Gull - 17
NO terns
Hopefully some decent insects later........
Middleton IE
Insects rather poor but 4-5 dragonflies, thought to be teneral darter spp disturbed by a visiting naturalist. c10 4-spotted Chaser and one Emperor.
Water Rail - At least two birds (adults) in/alongside the new reedbed in the western marsh - surely a breeding registration of some sort - also 'squealing'.
Elsewhere
4 Spoonbill Leighton Moss area. 15+ Crossbill next to Tower Lodge this afternoon. Ad Long-eared Owl on roadside post at dusk Leck Fell, but no squeaking young (they fledged very early this year). Osprey Leighton Moss early morning and a perceived adult (perhaps the same) SW over Morecambe Stone Jetty towards Aldcliffe.
"Highlight" of the morning was two flocks of Canada Goose totalling 38+24 trolling around but never seen to land in the area. Presumed breeding Water Rail on Middleton IE the afternoon highlight.
North harbour wall 0845-0930
Sandwich Tern - 1 out
Black Guillemot - one in harbour mouth doing nothing (c/f yesterday)
Red Nab/outfalls
Black-headed Gull - 205
Common Gull - 17
NO terns
Hopefully some decent insects later........
Middleton IE
Insects rather poor but 4-5 dragonflies, thought to be teneral darter spp disturbed by a visiting naturalist. c10 4-spotted Chaser and one Emperor.
Water Rail - At least two birds (adults) in/alongside the new reedbed in the western marsh - surely a breeding registration of some sort - also 'squealing'.
Elsewhere
4 Spoonbill Leighton Moss area. 15+ Crossbill next to Tower Lodge this afternoon. Ad Long-eared Owl on roadside post at dusk Leck Fell, but no squeaking young (they fledged very early this year). Osprey Leighton Moss early morning and a perceived adult (perhaps the same) SW over Morecambe Stone Jetty towards Aldcliffe.
Tuesday, 3 June 2008
Autumnal build up on the outfalls!
Heysham Obs
Ocean Edge foreshore 0910-0940
Gannet - 3 out and across
Sandwich Tern - 4 out (none at the roost)
Common Tern - one S2 outfall
Arctic Tern - 2 S2 outfall
Black-headed Gull - 113 S2 outfall/Red Nab, c10% adult
Common Gull - 11 S2 outfall/Red Nab
Elsewhere
5 Devon Carpet, 2 Beautiful Snout, Lunar Thorn, Oak Hook-tip, 6+ Pale Prominent, 6 Alder Kitten, 6 Square Spot, Lime+Poplar+Elephant+Small Elephant Hawk-moths etc. etc., Lord's Lot wood SD536705ish 2200-2340ish last night. 3 Spoonbill & Osprey still Leighton Moss & area
Ocean Edge foreshore 0910-0940
Gannet - 3 out and across
Sandwich Tern - 4 out (none at the roost)
Common Tern - one S2 outfall
Arctic Tern - 2 S2 outfall
Black-headed Gull - 113 S2 outfall/Red Nab, c10% adult
Common Gull - 11 S2 outfall/Red Nab
Elsewhere
5 Devon Carpet, 2 Beautiful Snout, Lunar Thorn, Oak Hook-tip, 6+ Pale Prominent, 6 Alder Kitten, 6 Square Spot, Lime+Poplar+Elephant+Small Elephant Hawk-moths etc. etc., Lord's Lot wood SD536705ish 2200-2340ish last night. 3 Spoonbill & Osprey still Leighton Moss & area
Monday, 2 June 2008
Change in Black Guillemot behaviour
Heysham Obs
No seawatching this morning
Red Nab
2 Sandwich Tern
Harbour
Black Guillemot defending the platforms in the SW corner of the harbour against feral pigeons & appearing very agitated [definitely not 'display towards' as two years ago]. Not seen this before.
Moth trap
Highlighted by Broad-barred White, also another Shaded Pug
Elsewhere
First Lancs Devon Carpet moths (2) trapped at Lord's Lot Wood near Over Kellet last night. 5 Spoonbill Leighton Moss EM Pool. 2 Osprey Leighton Moss. Hobby hawking for one hour Leighton Moss pm. 20 Crossbill Trough of Bowland in larches near 'Trough bridge' [& several at coastal sites, indicating bit of an irruption]. The Thrushgill birds yesterday were more than the perceived one-two pairs present since at least early January could have produced in the time!
No seawatching this morning
Red Nab
2 Sandwich Tern
Harbour
Black Guillemot defending the platforms in the SW corner of the harbour against feral pigeons & appearing very agitated [definitely not 'display towards' as two years ago]. Not seen this before.
Moth trap
Highlighted by Broad-barred White, also another Shaded Pug
Elsewhere
First Lancs Devon Carpet moths (2) trapped at Lord's Lot Wood near Over Kellet last night. 5 Spoonbill Leighton Moss EM Pool. 2 Osprey Leighton Moss. Hobby hawking for one hour Leighton Moss pm. 20 Crossbill Trough of Bowland in larches near 'Trough bridge' [& several at coastal sites, indicating bit of an irruption]. The Thrushgill birds yesterday were more than the perceived one-two pairs present since at least early January could have produced in the time!
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