Local sightings since the last Newsletter Autumn 2000

Second half of June

The second half of June was predictably quiet in the absence of major seawatching weather.  A recently fledged Stonechat on Middleton Industrial Estate (18th) suggested an undiscovered local breeding pair.  However, it was only present one day and may have been a particularly restless individual from the burgeoning population in Bowland (approximately 14 pairs within the recording area).  Two further singing male Reed Warblers were late arrivals at Heysham nature reserve (from 19th and from at least 28th).  A few seabirds were recorded offshore.  Manx Shearwaters comprised 6 on 21st, 8 on 23rd.  Two Gannets and 3 Fulmars were also seen on 23rd.  Hobby sightings were made in the region, in one instance strongly suggestive of breeding.  On the down side, the numbers of terns both at the Lune "colonies" and Heysham outfalls was very low with nothing optimistic to offer the Seabird 2000 data-gatherers re-breeding.  Mediterranean Gull records included a 1st summer at Heysham outfalls and an adult at Borwick lane Pit, both on 23rd.  Two 1st summer Little Gulls remained on the Allen/EM Pools.

July

A few seabirds off Heysham.  Eight Sandwich terns on 5th,  2 on 9th.  11 Gannets on 8th, 7 on 13th and singles on 9th and 14th.  Single Fulmars on 9th and 14th.  Single Manx Shearwater on 14th.   The highlights of the month included several owl sightings during late night moth trapping in the Bowland area, including a Long-eared near the top end of the Trough pines at 0100hrs on 11th.  We must surely be overlooking the occasional breeding pair in the various fell-side plantations in that area.  Similarly a product of other activities was an adult female Crossbill which spent a minute or so drinking at the Middleton industrial estate large pond during a Red-veined Darter vigil on 12th.  It flew in high from the south-east and similarly towered up and headed north-east.  The adult Yellow-legged Gull returned to the Lune Estuary mid-month and there were occasional reports from Lancaster Tip.  The major multi-observed highlight was déjà vu 1999, possibly even as far as being the same bird, a Pectoral Sandpiper on the Eric Morecambe complex (from 23rd).  The third week of July saw the arrival of up to 6 juvenile Garganey on the Allen/EM Pools.  Migration hotted up during the last week with daily Swift passage and arrivals of a Wood Sandpiper on the EM Pool (30th), Little Egret at Hest Bank (30th) and a Belgian-ringed juvenile Mediterranean Gull at Heysham outfalls (31st). 

August

The adult Pectoral Sandpiper remained on the Eric Morecambe complex until the 1st.  A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker enlivened a White-letter Hairstreak vigil in Hindburndale (1st).  A very 'Stanpit Egret-like' juvenile Little Egret frequented Heaton/Aldcliffe marsh (from 11th) thereafter mainly along the coast between Bare and Hest Bank, joined by another juvenile from at least 15th.  However, there may have been a Little Egret present since the end of July in the Hest Bank to Bolton-le-Sands area, in which case it has changed its age!  Time will sort this out, can you help?  Up to three (but usually two) Ospreys were present all month in the Leighton Moss area and another flew over Heysham Head (16th).  The Belgian-ringed juvenile Mediterranean Gull remained on Heysham outfalls (to 31st) and a further two juveniles were short-stayers mid-month.  One of these had an unfortunately unreadable metal-only ring.  An adult Mediterranean Gull was present at Bank End (from 13th at least) and the Stone jetty bird returned.  No sign, however, of the Heysham veteran, first seen in autumn 1990.  Moulting Little Gulls on Heysham outfalls comprised an adult, second summer and up to three first summer moulting to second winter.  The summering birds at the Allen/EM Pools, already in second winter plumage, were last seen on 4th.   The Yellow-legged Gull remained on the Lune Estuary all month.  Seabirds included dark morph Arctic and light morph Pomarine Skuas on 10th, 16 Gannets also on 10th  and Sandwich Terns on 2nd and 10th.   The only 'Commic' Terns were:  3 Arctic on 1st, one Arctic on 16th and adult and juvenile Common on 17th.  This is a poor showing without precedent.  Wader passage on the Allen/Eric Morecambe pools was reasonable,  with good numbers of Ruff (up to 24 in the last week), another multiple year for Wood Sandpiper with up to three from 1st-10th, up to four Green Sandpiper (25th), single Little Stint (25th) and up to 6 Curlew Sandpipers (from 27th).  The end of the month also saw up to 6 Curlew Sandpipers on the Upper Kent Estuary.   Black-tailed Godwit numbers, however, were low with a maximum of just 8 on 1st.  Increased targeting of the pools by Peregrine Falcons may be a factor here.  Passerine data from Heysham will be summarised in the annual report but it is worth mentioning a very early Twite on 31st

Early September

What a surprise; the gales failed to materialise and we were left with crumbs under the table from what was supposed to be excellent sea-watching weather.  However, they were very different crumbs and those who persevered gained some reward.  A single petrel species, almost certainly Leach's, was seen during the brief westerly (as opposed to north-westerly) wind in the early  morning of  6th   and another was seen at 0935hrs (8th).   A Storm Petrel passed close inshore (yellow buoy range) at 1845hrs (8th).   Single Bonxie, Arctic Skua and Manx Shearwater graced the afternoon of 8th.   On the outfalls, an apparently unringed 1st winter Mediterranean Gull was probably a new arrival and a juvenile Black Tern was seen very briefly (8th).  Four Common Terns, two Arctic Terns  and two Kittiwakes accompanying the regular Little Gulls gave reasonable variety on there for the first time this autumn.  The remainder of the seabirds comprised c20 Fulmars, two Gannets and one auk spp.  Quality, not quantity, and certainly not for the restless, given several whole half  hour slots of empty sea.  Other new birds in early September comprised a 1st winter Little Gull was on the outfalls for a short time (6th), a Little Stint on Heysham Red Nab on 1st , an adult Yellow-legged Gull by Lancaster Tip on 6th .   Remaining from August were Osprey at Leighton Moss (to 8th at least) and the two Little Egrets near Hest Bank.