Sunday 9 October 2011

Unexpected Leach's followed by more predictable afternoon bird in deteriorating weather

Heysham Obs
A routine coastal check after examining the moth trap, therefore no sense of expectant urgency, actually produced a Leach's Petrel on the first sweep at 0915hrs!  A subsequent 45 mins & two later sweeps along the wave troughs produced nothing else

Offshore
Leach's Petrel - one slowly 'out' 0915-0920 about yellow buoy range.  Presumably this bird seen coming out of the bay as observed from Rossall Point a little later. As the weather deteriorated="improved" during the afternoon, another was watched for 10 minutes at 1600hrs (thanks Mike, Sue and Andy)

Inshore/behind IOM ferry
Little Gull - adult
Med Gull - adult and 2 x 1CY
Kittiwake - 1CY

Grounded
3 Meadow Pipit, 6 Linnet and 8 Twite (one red/white right leg cr)

Moths
A "two-nighter" produced a good haul, but was unfortunately exotic-migrant-free.  Brick and two Large Wainscot the best on offer