Recent sightings mid September to mid December Winter 2000

The rarer occurrences have been tabulated near the end of this Newsletter, so this section will concentrate on general migratory observations

September

The Wryneck present at Heysham was accompanied by a scattering of other migrants including an adult male Redstart (10th), a few southbound Tree Pipits and several Wheatears.  The juvenile Belgian-ringed juvenile Mediterranean Gull was still present (11th).  Meadow Pipit movement reached three-figures (from 11th ) but was unremarkable for the remainder of the autumn.   Two Sandwich terns graced Red Nab (14th) and a Pied Flycatcher was in the Middleton industrial estate copse (15th).   Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper numbers were low this autumn with just single figures at the favoured sites (including Arnside Marsh).  An early abietinus  Chiffchaff was trapped and heard calling at Heysham (19th-21st) the only non-collybita reported during the whole autumn.   A Leighton Moss-ringed Reed Warbler reached Red Nab on perhaps its first night migration(19th)!  With attention transferring somewhat to north Fylde stubble fields, up to two adult and one 2nd winter Mediterranean Gulls were located with mobile field-feeding Black-headed Gull flocks in the Thurnham/Cockersands area.   The sea produced single Razorbill, Guillemot and Red-throated Diver off Heysham (22nd) and an Osprey flew south there (24th).  The (25th) was one of the busiest of the autumn for passerine migrants at Heysham with plenty of Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, southbound House Martins and meadow Pipits but little of real note other than perhaps a Redstart.   The fact that Goldcrests were in low numbers was confirmed with just c25 on An ideal migration day.   A migrant Marsh  Harrier appeared at Leighton Moss (26th-27th) and Bank End produced 14 Ruff, Spotted Redshank (which remained to winter) and 10 Greenshank.   A Corys Shearwater was identified from Jenny Brown's Point (29th) and a Little Egret at Lane Ends (30th)

October

A dreadful month with most of the interest listed at the back of the Newsletter.  A very early influx of migrant Blackbirds at Heysham with c100 on (7th).  Reasonable visible migration (12th-13th) included the first Brambling over Heysham and a wandering Treecreeper at Red Nab.  The main feature of the month was an irruption by Long-tailed Tits which peaked at c100 through Heysham (13th).  Indeed re-reading the Heysham log it was arguably the only major feature for the rest of the month, apart from a small flurry of seabirds at the end and a Stonechat on (21st), rather late Garden Warbler (22nd) and the appearance of Purple Sandpipers at Heysham and the Stone Jetty (up to four individuals from 22nd).        

November

'Catch-up' was played by various late passerine migrants during the first week or so.  Further Long-tailed Tit flocks passed through Heysham along with c2,600 Redwing (4th) and 4,450 Fieldfare (5th).  Indeed, the (5th) was the best visible migration day of the whole autumn at Heysham and also included  a good variety of finch species (inc.Twite).    Apart from the Richard's Pipit (7th), a first winter male Ring Ouzel accompanied a late Painted Lady butterfly on Heysham Nature reserve (9th).  Cockersands stubble held a flock of 61 Twite (10th) with a Stonechat on nearby fences.  The (12th) produced an extraordinary passage of Kittiwakes off Heysham, with none logged until 729 in flocks of up to 210 1400-1500hrs, some two hours after the tide.   Good numbers of Blackbirds were at Heysham (18th), the last of the major passerine migrants.  A Marsh Tit (23rd) was unexpected at Heysham, as was a Greenshank at Bank End (26th), surely it will winter?

Early December

Little of note apart from a fairly obliging Water Pipit at Leighton Moss and 94 twite and Spotted Redshank at Bank End.  The gale, as this is being typed produced up to 5 Little Gulls and an adult Mediterranean Gull on Heysham outfalls.  Where did the latter come from, has the wintering bird reincarnated?