1st January - NYD listing

Heysham Obs
Very disappointing in a New Year list context with no extra seabirds seen after the overnight storm. The lack of any auks or Red-throated Diver would have been unthinkable 10 years ago:

Shag: 17 juvs in the harbour
Little Gull: adult around, and 1st W reported on pager
Kittiwake: 3 in harbour and 30ish behind the IOM ferry
Med Gull: just the 1st W reported along the north wall
Twite: 3 seen around the mound after "someone" appeared to produce some food (not the usual Twite feeder)!

Elsewhere
New birds included a 1stW male Scaup on Glasson marina, two Great Skua at Jenny Browns Point, including one sitting on the saltmarsh for at least one hour (but probably those first seen in November?)

New Years Day listing limited to the LDBWS recording area (see map on Lancaster and District Birdwatching Society website) produced a known combined total of about 112 species, including 102 seen or heard by one team. Ironically, there was no known sighting of Lesser Redpoll, yet a relaxed start to the day at home two of the previous four mornings had connected with Redpoll within about 5 minutes whilst sitting on the step emptying the moth(less) trap.

Heysham Obs
Highest Shag count was 17 in the early morning - all in the harbour. Ad Little Gull in the harbour but hardly anything on the outfalls in increasingly windy conditions. Two 1st W Kittiwake in the harbour. Ad & 1st W Med Gulls along the north harbour wall.

Anyone timing a visit on New Years Day - the IOM ferry should be sailing and arriving about midday (per port authorities this evening) - could have quite an entourage in the absence of other boats to drag birds back offshore. Possibly a better option than the short period of incoming tide and daylight from dawn, especially if any Fulmar are around.

Local area
A disappointing selection on the LDBWS website - unfortunately the two most active observers today have not got internet facilities and I did not get round to phoning them (may be worth checking Leighton Moss book early on) - 'new' stuff comprised
2 x adult Med Gulls in a large field-feeding flock by the Gressingham Lune bridge. The two Greenshank on the eastern end of the EM Pool=flood were visible from the Crag viewpoint. 'The' Hawfinch was showing in the walled garden at Sizergh but again early morning visit seems necessary.

30th December - Same again

Heysham Obs

Pictures taken today by Simon Hawtin. Thanks Simon!



Same again - no seawatching was undertaken during the small window of tide and wind just after dawn: Just one 1st W Little Gull visible on the outfalls (but a lot of gulls on the mud between the two outfalls), c12 Shag in the harbour, Ad & 1st W Med Gulls along the NH wall in the morning, 2 1st W Kittiwake in the harbour and the long-staying adult on Heysham 2 outfall

Skerton Weir
Adult Med Gull briefly before flying towards Lancaster

Pine Lake
No sign of the odd Aythya seen at long range, mainly asleep, latish yesterday afternoon. This appeared to be a hybrid involving Ring-necked Duck and probably Tufted Duck and resembled a 1st W male Ring-necked [e.g. the current Gibraltar Point bird - see Birdguides photos etc] but with only a faint (but broad c/p Tufted) pale subterminal band on the bill, no hint of any pale fore-flank and a brief view of what appeared to be too white a wingbar. The 'stubby & (long) stifftailed' appearance caught the attention with the head profile also suggesting a Ring-necked input. Should have persevered with it yesterday, despite worsening light and long-range - PL has a history of one-day birds, irrespcctive of the overnight weather. This bird was associating with Pochard.

Drake Ruddy Duck still present but no sign of hybrid Ferruginous x Pochard

Gressingham bridge

4 swans visible distantly looking north on the east side of the river - presumably the Whoopers

Burn Moor
Female Hen Harrier at the north end late afternoon just above Crossdale Beck.

29th December Adult Med returns

The view out at sea:
Heysham Obs
14 Shag in the harbour, adult Med Gull (returns!) and 1st W Med Gull north harbour wall, 2 1stW and adult Little Gull Power Station outfalls, 2 Kittiwake harbour mouth

Elsewhere
Lune by Lancaster Tip/Golden Ball: Adult Yellow-legged Gull showing well

Lune Estuary: 3 Little Egret visible looking down on to Glasson Marsh from Bodie Hill (midday, therefore well after HT) also one on Conder saltmarsh

Stone Jetty: Presumably the regularly returning, but recently very elusive, Spotted Redshank visited its old haunt of the channel just to the south of the jetty at midday

28th The usual suspects et al

Heysham Obs
12 Shag in the SW of the harbour and the 1st W Med Gull on the north wall. At least 2 1st W Kittiwake in the harbour

Rest of the area
Hybrid female Ferruginous x Pochard and the drake Ruddy Duck reappeared on Pine Lake. Long-stayers reaffirmed on the Lune Estuary c/f 2 Bewicks Swan on the Lune by Glasson and Spotted Redshank Conder area. Two hours of 'gull grilling' on the Lune produced 2 Ad and 3rd W Scandinavian Herring Gull and an unidentified/able darkish mantled adult large gull.

Insects

2 Winter Moths in Heysham hut trap, the first moths since 14/12 (also Winter). Early Pale-brindled Beauty (see photo above) in the home trap at High Tatham

27th Breaded Med goes missing

Heysham Obs
No sign of the Czech-ringed adult Med last seen eating a huge piece of Russian bread two days ago. 1st W Med on the north wall as usual

Large adult Med and 1st W Little Gull Heysham 1 outfall

Just 9 Shags in the harbour but 16 counted later as all birds ended up outside the harbour

Just 3 Kittiwakes in the harbour

Two Twite on the mound late afternoon

Three Linnet on the heliport

It might be appropriate for casual birding visitors to stay away from the north harbour wall during the next day or so - it is in theory a private road and I dont know how much will be happening along there with respect to todays dreadful accident and the Centrica offices

Ringing recoveries
The following have just been received:

Redwing
RW67789 adult 22.10.05 Heysham Obs
Dead 18.12.05 Montbert (Loire-Atlantique FRANCE 47 3N 1 29 W

This was ringed at the start of a rather late autumn passage and could quite easily have been in France by the following morning

Greenfinch
TC33871 1stW F 18.11.05 Heysham Obs
Dead 07.09.06 Brookhouse 14 km

This bird was reported as sick, probably died in the recent outbreak of disease among Greenfinch [NOT bird flu]. Early September is before any long-distance autumnal movement by this species [which only a proportion, mainly young birds, actually undertake], therefore probably a Brookhouse breeding bird.

Thrushgill plantation
One hour spent here in ideal sunny calm conditions produced just 20 seconds of two 'green' Crossbill, mainly in flight. Plenty of cones but this site receives a real hammering during windy conditions and we are just about to receive another dose. Pair of Sparrowhawk displaying briefly!! also two Stock Dove on a barn which is usually only occupied during the breeding season

Lancaster Tip
Just four days to go here sadly. Couldnt find the Iceland Gull amongst the 700 or so large gulls but there was an adult Yellow-legged Gull and adult and 3rd W Scandinavian Herring Gull present. The Yellow-legged Gull was a small to medium-sized bird with a fully white head and very yellow legs - this fits with an individual seen in previous winters, albeit very intermittently. ELEVEN species of gull in this area this month!

Pine lake
An adult Med Gull spent a short time bathing and preening before returning to unknown field(s) with Black-headed and Common Gulls. No waterbirds of any significance.

River Bela, near Dallam Towers
Slav reported to Leighton reception. Ad winter Little Grebe seen on checking out report. Would suggest more thorough search in better weather. About 8 Tufted Duck also seen.

near Melling
4 white blobs in a field at exactly the same spot as the 4 Whoopers two days ago (1630hrs!)

26th whistle stop tour

Heysham Obs
Quick visit

12 Shag left in the harbour

1st W Med Gull north wall but no sign of the adult since it scoffed a huge piece of coriander-infused Rossisky (Russian) rye bread yesterday afternoon

Welcome 1st W Little Gull on Heysham 2 outfall on the early stages of the incoming tide

5 Kittiwake in SW corner of the harbour

Single Twite on the quay in SW corner of the harbour - a ringed bird but only metal ring seen.

From Ian Hartley: Jack Snipe flushed from Ocean Edge saltmarsh on the rising tide - please ask at reception before you cut through the caravan site to view this area

Elsewhere

Waxwing: Bare-Slyne footpath: Original observer saw it at 1515hours (same time as myself yesterday) but not there in the morning today

Nothing of interest on Pine Lake, Skerton Weir, Lune by the tip & no Brambling on the Swarth dale road but Tree Sparrows seen after 5 seconds at Heaton village (lower) feeders.

2 Greenshank on the Eric Morecambe pool 'flood' (eastern end - best viewed from the crag road)

25th Shags slowly disappearing

Heysham Obs
15 Shag in the SW corner of the harbour. 5 Kittiwake on the pipe or harbour edge in same area.

Ad & 1st W Med Gulls along the north wall near the sandplant entrance

Nothing of interest on the outfalls

Local area
Skerton Weir
Whilst passing, noticed a lot of gulls, so checked. Lucky to connect with a juv Iceland Gull which unfortunately flew off (or circled off) high to the north-west after 30 minutes when the gulls were spooked. This site is probably best watched from by the John of Gaunt rowing club but be careful not to 'bottom out' at the (unsigned) entrance SD480631 if taking vehicle down and just watch for scallies if you are on your own with expensive gear. A very high turn-over of gulls, so suggest it could be a productive spot during especially lowish river levels. Also Kingfisher & Little Grebe

Slyne to Bare footpath
Waxwing on guelder rose at SD462653 - seen 1115hrs and 1520hrs (& not as far as I know looked for in between times so probably there all the time)

Wyndammere
Whilst checking the wildfowl, noticed a sizeable Chaffinch flock under beech mast with at least 10 Brambling therein. Along the road on the west side. Also 2 Raven, c12 Wigeon and c8 Tufted Duck

Melling
Four Whooper Swans, presumably the 'resident Lune valley flock' visible from the layby at the high point of the road c300m south of Melling garage on A683. Look west/down.

Pine Lake
Big Z other than 9 x Goosander.....but there are so many duck and it is only a matter of time before the next 'goodie'. One of the three locations in this area I would check at least once a day if I could - soon to be reduced to two when Lancaster Tip closes

Claughton
Adult Med Gull around the farm at the south end of Claughton just north of the Brookhouse road junction. Dangerous place to park - best to walk back from Claughton. This bird has been seen in surrounding fields as far away as Caton and Farleton

24th Heysham Obs Recording Area

More disappearing seabirds

Unfortunately, the two first winter Little Gulls, earmarked for New year's Day seem to have gone.

The Shag count was down to 18 in the morning and, alarmingly, there were just three scattered birds in the early afternoon as the tide reached its height. This is the first time the 'gang' have left the harbour when the feeding area under the waterfall in the SW corner was rendered unsuitable by the tide. Fingers crossed.

Kittiwakes numbered 4 1st W and one adult in the harbour and the long-staying adult on Heysham Stage 2 outfall

The adult and 1st W Med Gulls were along the north harbour wall

Ocean Edge saltmarsh was not covered by the tide and no Jack Snipe were seen. There was a flock of 11 Linnet, 4-5 Common Snipe and a Reed Bunting unearthed as the tide covered some of the saltmarsh

Outside the obs recording area
Pine Lake and the other gravel pits produced nothing of interest for the first time this autumn - Pine Lake was given a thorough grilling.

Firecrest
Yesterday evenings indirect info was duff gen. I dont think observers remaining until dusk saw anything this evening, but the site is the FIRST turn on your left IMMEDIATELY after the railway bridge which IMMEDIATELY follows the turn into Waterslack Garden Centre. This assumes you are travelling from Leighton Moss direction = right at the top of the hill, past Silverdale station, STAY on the road (dont fork left into Silverdale), then you will reach the garden centre.

Follow the cul-de-sac down until you reach the last house. The bird was in scrub along a 200-300m stretch between there and the RSPB noticeboard for Silverdale Moss which is located on the left hand bend

23rd Saturday blues

MAP SHOWING ORIGINS OF HEYSHAM/MORECAMBE RING-READ MED GULLS AND BH GULLS

The only news was from the 'fringe'(!) of the recording area where the Med Gull bearing Darvic ring 36W was again seen along Morecambe seafront



Ringing History of 36W

Belgium E905810 (Darvic green 36W)
Ringed Zandvleitsuis, Antwerp, Belgium Pullus 9/6/02
Seen Heysham heliport 11/8/02
Seen Skippool Creek, Wyre Estuary 10/9-27/9/02
Seen Morecambe Battery-lifeboat station 7/10/02-27/3/03
Seen Eric Morecambe complex gull colony 2/4-13/7/03
Seen North Morecambe/Bare seafront 6/8/03-8/3/04
Seen North Morecambe/Bare seafront 31/7/05-26/2/06
Seen North Morecambe/Bare seafront 6/8/06-[23/12/06]

Note this was not present/recorded off North Morecambe during winter 2004/5


The hot news locally is a Firecrest found last thing this afternoon (therefore surely a roost site or very near one) by Harry Howard and Derek Scott at the entrance to Silverdale Moss opposite Gaitbarrows. No further details at present