Tuesday 3 April 2012

Knot remain in internationally important numbers

Heysham Obs
Seawatch 0830-0900, mixture of north wall and scans from Ocean Edge
Kittiwake - flock of 17 'in', then landed on water
Red-throated Diver - 2 flew 'in' very distantly

Ocean Edge/outfalls
Knot - at least 9,500 to the south on the tideline
Bar-tailed Godwit - c400 with above
Common Gull - 49 strewn along the visible tideline/on outfalls
Black-headed Gull - just 9 as above

Heysham NR
Blackcap - singing male NE corner
Water Rail - one calling in marsh

Moths & butterflies
At last a reasonable number (for here) of Common Quaker which has hitherto been incredibly scarce here - the dizzy height of 8 individuals!  Also single Powdered Quaker, Shoulder Stripe and a late March Moth of minor note.  Speckled Wood east side of reserve and about 5 Small Tortoiseshell on afternoon walk