Sunday 24 December 2006

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