Sunday 1 July 2012

Moth hoodoo broken at last

Heysham Obs
Another unsettled morning prompted a short seawatch and outfalls check (thanks Mark for some of this stuff)

Sea 0830-0915ish on and off
Gannet - 3 (one close)
Manx Shearwater - at least 3, possibly 5

Outfalls/Red Nab
Med Gull - 2 adults and the black-headed 2CY (definitely unringed), but no sign of the other two 2CY seen yesterday, one of which was the 'regular' bird
Arctic Tern - 2 adults, but drifted offshore as tide came in
Kittiwake - 2CY

Moths
At last, a Figure of 80 whilst I checked the trap!  I've only seen one of this near-annual-at-Heysham before.  It doesn't register at my regular sites in Hindburndale/Roeburndale and area.  The other feature with the moths was a minor emergence of fresh individuals this morning and these comprised Shoulder-striped Wainscot, Clay and Heart and Dart.  SSW and Clay usually only overlap as worn 'back-end' and newly-emerged respectively - an indication that the weather has seriously disrupted some emergence times this year.