Tuesday 30 October 2007

End of season............or is it?

Heysham Obs
The radar suggests another pulse of thrushes to come in the next day or so but will the weather synopsis allow a significant landfall in this area? Today had a real 'fag end of the autumn migration season' feel........but we'll see what the next few days brings. Various weather forecasts just checked are somewhat contradictory as might be expected when highs and lows are vying for position and the north-west is in the zone of uncertainty. Looks reasonable for some late season overnight moth trapping!

Vis mig by the office 0830-1100
Greenfinch - indeterminate movement to and from the feeder undoubtedly included some passage birds (see ringing)
Jay - 1SW
Mistle Thrush - 5SW
Great-spotted Woodpecker - 1 high to the W
Redwing - 11SW
Chaffinch - 2S
Meadow Pipit - 3SE
Starling - 5S, then 295 NNW in 14 flocks
Woodpeigeon - flock of 31S
Grey Wagtail - 2S was a surprise & perhaps they were prospective winter residents appearing to be on vis mig when seen

Thanks John for most of this

Ringing
15 lightweight Greenfinch trapped with 13 of them being female, an equal mixture of adult and 1st W. This is typical of captures later in the passage period.

Heliport
'Loads' of Knot!

North harbour wall
22 Wigeon floating in on the sea was unusual. Single adult and 2nd W Med Gulls. 8 each of Goldfinch and Meadow Pipit on the 'mound'.

Insects
Late Red-line Quaker and Pink-barred Sallow in the moth trap along with Angle Shades. 10+ wasps on willows in the mist net ride by the office.

General
The road is VERY dangerous between the traffic lights and the reserve - please stick to 20mph, especially on the blind bend - there are a lot of non-car owners with young families on Ocean Edge. Sympathy and a quick recovery to the people involved in the accident today.....fortunately not involving pedestrians.

Elsewhere
Ad & 2nd W Med Gulls at Bank End. NNEW on the Great White Egret - a BBRC rarity such as this should really be phoned in on a daily basis.......please.