Thursday 14 July 2011

New morning, new birds

Heysham Obs
The sleep (or lack of) pattern established and the final day of decent weather prompted another early morning session at Middleton NR.  Three interesting casual sightings!

Middleton NR
Not as many Willow Warbler on the move this morning and 'only' one new Grasshopper Warbler ringed.  However, far more Whitethroat than yesterday with 7 ringed and the first two young Reed Warbler of the year appeared.  Unusual for this site was a recently-fledged Bullfinch along with perhaps surprisingly unringed parents.  Totals of newly-ringed birds comprised:  Bullfinch (3), Reed Bunting (2), Reed Warbler (2), Lesser Whitethroat (1), Great Tit (2), Whitethroat (7), Sedge Warbler (4), Willow Warbler (4), Long-tailed Tit (3), Blue Tit (1), Blackbird (1), Blackcap (2), Grasshopper Warbler (1)

Tree Sparrow - one landed briefly then headed inland (not sure where it came from!)_
Skylark - on flew very high to the north - bizarre in July!
Kingfisher - one on the fence pond briefly

No time for any coastal birding today

Moths
P coronata new for the year. 
A couple of pics from Middleton (thanks Janet)