NORTH LANCASHIRE

HIGHLIGHTS: Two pairs of Rock Pipits raised young, the first breeding records for Lancashire. A Spoonbill was at the Eric Morecambe complex (26th). Three Great White Egrets roosted at Leighton Moss, with others on the Lune near Ashton Hall (20th) and over Heysham (7th and 28th). The summering Shag remained at Heysham Harbour. A Wood Sandpiper was in Conder Creek (19th). HEYSHAM BIRD OBSERVATORY: Despite a decent spring passage by our standards, numbers of recently fledged Chiffchaffs were very low. Blackcaps were similarly seen in low numbers until an influx saw 16 ringed (31st). Willow Warblers were in unremarkable numbers, with no obvious migratory influxes. In contrast, the numbers of Whitethroats (81) and Lesser Whitethroats (39) were excellent, especially early in the month, with the latter heading for a record annual ringing total. The breeding populations of Reed, Sedge and Grasshopper Warblers had largely departed in July and there were no obvious influxes of passage birds, though a Grasshopper Warbler ringed (30th) was notable. A Razorbill was in the harbour (28th). Unsettled weather produced intermittent single-figure sightings of Common, Arctic and Sandwich Terns, the regular Little Gull and decent numbers of Med Gulls, maximum 59 (2nd). There was a Pied Flycatcher (2nd), ones and twos of Tree Pipits on five dates, three Cetti’s Warblers ringed (5th), an Osprey (21st), late Swift (21st) and Great Skua (17th). Oddities included an ‘in-off’ Ring-necked Parakeet (21st), an escaped “black Gyrfalcon” or similar hybrid (21st), and two flocks of Canada Geese totaling 56 heading south (4th). LEIGHTON MOSS: A Hobby (from 1st) was joined by another (from 18th). An Osprey (4th) was one of many sightings, which, aside from the Marsh Harriers present, represented a lean month for raptors. Waders included 16 Greenshanks, two Green Sandpipers, a Wood Sandpiper (5th-6th), Ruff (15th), Knot (23rd) and Spotted Redshank (30th). Garganeys peaked at four (18th). There was a Common Tern (19th), Tree Pipit (20th), Spotted Flycatcher (26th) and Wood Warbler (21st). LUNE ESTUARY AND VALLEY: Little Egret numbers are reaching new heights with day counts of the whole tidal section between Lancaster and Sunderland Point reaching at least 140 individuals, with 30 or so others over the other side of the point on Middleton saltmarsh and area. At least 10 more were on the Lune valley floodplain. Greenshanks in the Conder area peaked at 14 (29th). Green Sandpipers were at the Conder, Aldcliffe and the Snab. OTHER SITES: A seawatch off the Morecambe Stone Jetty (19th) produced a Great Skua, Osprey, Fulmar and ones and twos of Common and Arctic Terns. Two Mediterranean Gulls were on Blea Tarn Reservoir (19th). Pete Marsh and Kevin Kelly