Dog-walker ignorance

Heysham Obs
Unfortunately one of the best high tide roosts for a bit on the heliport was largely cleared by a gentleman with a ginger and white dog and a large black dog.  When he saw me at the end of the seawall, the dogs were put back on the lead and he scurried away through a rather large hole in the fence.  Therefore he was obviously completely aware of what he was doing, yet obviously just didn't care unless someone was perceived to be about to have a go at him.  There are loads of dog walkers in this area and many of them (as per conversations) appreciate the spectacle provided by the heliport roost and avoid the site.  Why do a small minority have to be ignorant?

North wall etc
WeBS count but the best was the male Black Redstart for a very short time mid-morning before heading towards the edge of the harbour and lost from sight
Med Gull - 4 adults
Red-throated Diver - one 'in' (thanks Jeff)
Guillemot -at least 7 including two in the harbour
Twite - 6 but very little food left mid-morning (& 2 Linnet, 6 Goldfinch)
Golden Plover - a single on the heliport seawall was very unusual
Knot - 2,200 heliport but flushed out of the area
Oystercatcher - peak of 6,500 heliport but most flushed off

Red Nab and area
Wigeon - 81
Meadow Pipit - 1
No sign of this Black Redstart

Middleton model boat pond
The usual three Little Egret, male Pochard, c10 Tufted Duck

Decent local patch birds continue to arrive

Heysham Obs
After a negative large gull trawl, an adult Kittiwake, the first for ages, was seen behind the dredger.  Then a phone call followed by email from Malcolm about the following.  Thanks Malcolm:

First encountered bird about 10.40 as I was walking to west along Ocean Edge foreshore. About 50m east of Red Nab I spotted a robin sized bird flitting between rocks. I got out my binoculars just as it took off towards Red Nab. Got clear view of orange/red tail.  Relocated it in Eastern corner of small bay between Red Nab and Ocean Edge foreshore. Got several good views as it perched on jetsam before hopping down to feed on whatever it was seeing. Most of the views were full frontal or partial profile. It was distinguished by lack of distinguishing features. I would describe the plumage as pretty uniform charcoal grey, with a hint of darker plumage on face (almost like a shadow of a bird!). Only saw the red tail flanks when it flitted about. I have had a look at my reference books and think that it was a female or immature male.  Not there on the return walk at 1145hrs

 

Harbour area via south wall

Kittiwake - adult behind dredger

Med Gull - at least three adults

Guillemot - one visible

 

Red Nab and area

Black Redstart - female type Red Nab area 1040hrs 

Meadow Pipit - 2

Wigeon - 85

Moths!

Heysham obs
Couldn't make it to Heysham this am because of moths in the brilliant winter months trap at millhouses. . 271 to be exact after a meticulous return search late afternoon unearthed more winter moths. At least 207 mottled umber but the only slight surprise other than the complete absence of the prolific December moth- they appear to have finished here was a worn yellow line Quaker

On the other hand Heysham nr trap held one moth but it was rather good - red sword grass

The only reported bird sightings today so far are the mixed flock of about 35 very unsettled Goldfinche/Linnet/Twite at the North Harbour feeding area in the morning.  Not seen on the ground so species counts not possible.

A brief afternoon visit saw only a handful of silhouetted birds in the sea buckthorn bushes, frightened away by a visitor.

Negative news unless you like singing

Heysham Obs
The juv Iceland Gull has not been seen since it was lost in a melee of bread and Black-headed Gulls on Middleton model boat pond early yesterday morning.   Not in the harbour this morning either and Middleton was subject to pretty thorough coverage yesterday and today

Middleton
Green Woodpecker - put in one of its intermittent appearances this morning
Med Gull - adult visited the model boat pond
Pink-footed Goose - several early morning skeins

Harbour area
No known views of Black Redstart but a lot of industrial activity in the favoured site
Meadow Pipit - one mound
Song Thrush - singing male on mound!
Twinnet - flock of c38 appeared from calls and silhouettes to be containing at least 15 Twite but very flighty
Goldfinch - separate flock from the above of c25 birds
Robin - 4, including two singing birds

Black Redstart, Meds and Iceland Gull

Heysham Obs

Iceland Gull seen early morning at Middleton model boat pond but not reported later.
Also 3 Little Egrets and Chiffchaff.

North Harbour Wall
Black Redstart midday
Mixed Finches 8.30am
5 Twite
10 Linnets
23 Goldfinch

Also
3 Adult Med Gulls on railings

In haste

Iceland Gull still model boat pond at least 0930

Black Redstart surprise

Heysham Obs
An adult male Black Redstart was a superb sighting along the north harbour wall this morning - seen at about 0915 and about 1040 at the northern end of the Centrica storage area.  Necessary working activities between and after these times restricted opportunities but it was seen on the perimeter fence for 5 minutes or so around these times

The juv Iceland Gull was again on Middleton Model boat pond for much of the morning at least and responding to bread!

Thanks to Pete Cook

North harbour wall
Twite - 7 (only 2 ringed), Goldfinch - 28, but no Linnet during my visit.
Single Rock Pipit and Meadow Pipit with at least 3 otther Meadow Pipit on the heliport
"The" Song Thrush
At least two adult Med Gulls
Guillemot offshore

Iceland Gull at Middleton

Model Boat Pond

A fine portrait of the Iceland Gull by Gavin Thomas

Gavin and Ian watched the Iceland Gull until dusk as it returned to Ocean Edge and then the harbour area. Also 5 adult Med Gulls, including 2P96

The Iceland Gull once again enjoyed much of its time today on the model boat pond at Middleton until 14.10 at least.
Also there:
11 Mute Swans (4Ad/7juv)
6 Gadwall
12 Tufted Duck
2 Pochard
3 Little Egret

North Harbour Wall
1 Med Gull (Adult)
2 Guillemot
4 RB Mergansers
1 GC Grebe
c30 Linnet/Goldfinch flock, possibly included Twite but none identified. Flock very flighty.

River Lune Golden Ball
1 Med Gull (Adult)

Quick power walk

Heysham Obs
North wall & harbour area
This is now closed off until further notice at the end of the Centrica entrance and obviously any pedestrian access beyond there is completely (as usual) at your own risk with a lot of tripping hazards and holes created by the storm surge.  Stay out other than strictly on the road itself is the recommendation.

Med Gull - ad north wall, 2 ads seaward end Heysham one outfall
Red-throated Diver - 1
Common Scoter - one female
Guillemot - one harbour mouth
Rock Pipit - one south harbour wall
No obvious Twite in c35 finches, mainly in flight
Mute Swan - Ad & ?2CY flew across bay from Foulney direction and headed inland
Very few Eiders a surprise

Middleton model boat pond
Iceland gull - juv at least 1130 and an hour or so later after flying off at 1140. Ate a sea buckthorn berry - definitely worth an old fashioned BB note ' I can find no evidence in the literature' etc

st Pochard, 9 Tufted Duck, 6 Gadwall,3 Little Egret, 2+7 Mute Swan

Iceland Gull is back

Heysham Obs
Alan restored the Twite feeding area this morning and 17 Linnet, 6 Goldfinch and 3 Twite were on the seed fairly soon afterwards.  There might, however, be some limitations on access to the north wall as the clearing up operation begins.  After an obvious dearth of large gulls around the harbour, the juv Iceland Gull reappeared on Red Nab late morning as this rubbishy record shot via scope/mobile indicates:

...............as does the fact that the tide was just about to cover the roosting site.  Also 78 Wigeon and a single Meadow Pipit in the area.  Two adult Med Gulls in the harbour along with a single Guillemot visible (but up to 3 underground)

Middleton pm
Iceland Gull - on model boat pond at least 1350hrs
Pochard 1 m, Tufted Duck 9, Teal 64 (65 on Wednesday!), Mallard and gadwall 6 each, Litle egret 3, Snipe 1, Moorhen 15, Coot just 2, Meadow Pipit 8 and the mega - a male Pheasant!

Above: The scene at Ocean Edge foreshore after yesterday's tidal surge

 

Below: The tidally rearranged Twite feeding station