Friday 5 August 2016

2CYs coming out of the woodwork

Heysham Obs
Quick scans of gull flocks with birds at all angles but mainly facing away with a slight heat haze are a recipe for missing Meds, especially 2CY.  A pretty careful check of the gang on Red Nab, remaining stuff on the outfalls AND the stuff off Ocean Edge saltmarsh (missed by many visiting birders) produced a fair amount today, including a re-sighting of the Czech Juv.  This was more advanced into 1st winter plumage than any I have seen previously at this stage of the autumn (earlier fledging than usual more northerly sources?)

Red Nab/outfalls/Ocean Edge latter stages of incoming tide
Med Gull - 5 x ad, 5 x 2CY, 4 x juv, including Czech ringed juv
Little Gull - summer adult on mudflats south of Ocean Edge
Whimbrel - at least two

Ringing
The two CES sessions were bedevilled by a stronger NW wind than forecast and, despite a few migrant Willow Warbler around, were highlighted only by a single Garden Warbler and a pair of unringed adult Bullfinch - not the first time this has happened with a species with odd dispersive timing

In an ignominious but inexpensive day for ringing, the Swallow roost did not materialise tonight but we did ring almost half of them..........5.   Time to leave alone and hope it builds up.  No sign of the Long-eared Owl - careful check of nearby willows before dusk 

Moths
Highlighted by Toadflax Pug