Friday 26 January 2007

Whats missed is mystery or can someone help?

Heysham Obs
A conversation with a local angler transpired that he had been shown, in the region of the outfalls/harbour mouth, a Little Gull and what he seemed to remember was called an 'Arctic Gull' or something similar and described as a 'rare bird'................by a birder with a scope etc.. All he could remember was some 'light brown across the back' and when I prompted with 'Iceland Gull' as the name - it rang a bell! This was three days ago.

Bearing in mind the closure of the rubbish tip, records such as this will become pretty priceless, even in this 'winter of plenty' nationally. There is just nothing to attract passing large gulls in this area, apart from perhaps the PS outfalls, the harbour intake area and the odd fishing boat at Morecambe. Anyone able to clarify? - it would be just nice to get details to allow this to become a publishable record - you will not be named and shamed for not broadcasting at the time! Thanks

Harbour
12 Shags by the waterfall, 14 Kittiwake in the same area. Ad & 1st W Med Gulls in the harbourmouth

Intended to check the outfalls very quickly just before dusk, but realised that Ocean Edge caravan park property, including the foreshore, is now shut at 1600hrs with security personnel thereafter very politely requesting you not to enter, even with a barrier swipe card. Not sure how long this lasts - Feb 1/2 term?

The 2006 Heysham Obs report with a full colour double-page will be available next week at Heysham Nature Reserve office and Leighton Moss RSPB reserve shop. There may be a short admin. delay at Leighton before the report can be put on the shelves

Elsewhere
NNEW on the Purple Sandpiper at the optimum times (low tide feeding, high tide roost). 520 Black-tailed Godwits feeding in the flooded fields between Warton and Millhead/M601 junction.