Notice
Please note following the advice on essential travel Walney Bird Observatory has closed until further notice.
Miscellaneous
The WBO 2020 Annual Report is now available.
2020 Report now available
15th January 2021 – bright and frosty ESE1/2
Notice
Please note following the advice on essential travel Walney Bird Observatory has closed until further notice.
Miscellaneous
The WBO 2020 Annual Report is now available.
Notice
Please note following the advice on essential travel Walney Bird Observatory has closed until further notice.
Miscellaneous
The WBO 2020 Annual Report is now available.
Much needed funding
6th January 2021 – bright and frosty N1
Notice
Please note following the advice on essential travel Walney Bird Observatory has closed until further notice.
Miscellaneous
We have received the welcome news of a successful grant application from the British Birds Charitable Trust. The grant will be used to replace the dilapidated ringing and recording cabin and will provide a wetherproof structure for ringing activities including the recording and storage of data together with equipment, reference books and reports.
Notice
Please note following the advice on essential travel Walney Bird Observatory has closed until further notice.
Miscellaneous
We have received the welcome news of a successful grant application from the British Birds Charitable Trust. The grant will be used to replace the dilapidated ringing and recording cabin and will provide a wetherproof structure for ringing activities including the recording and storage of data together with equipment, reference books and reports.
Shag congregation
5th January 2021 – overcast/cold NE1
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve remains open (1000-1600hrs) though the hides and visitor centre are closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
An early morning check of the sea revealed a post-roost gathering of 30 Shag.
Miscellaneous
Two Raven, 2 Water Rail and a Pergrine were the best of the rest.
Ringing
A colour-ringed Mute Swan was not of local origin and details are awaited.
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve remains open (1000-1600hrs) though the hides and visitor centre are closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
An early morning check of the sea revealed a post-roost gathering of 30 Shag.
Miscellaneous
Two Raven, 2 Water Rail and a Pergrine were the best of the rest.
Ringing
A colour-ringed Mute Swan was not of local origin and details are awaited.
Colour-ringed Mute Swan
4th January 2021 – sunny spells/cold NNE1/2
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve remains open (1000-1600hrs) though the hides and visitor centre are closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Grounded Migrants
A single Redwing was logged.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 35 Pink-footed Geese flew north.
Miscellaneous
Two Raven and a Merlin were the best of the rest.
Ringing
A colour-ringed Mute Swan had previously been ringed at Lower Thurnham, Lancashire on 20th August 2015.
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve remains open (1000-1600hrs) though the hides and visitor centre are closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Grounded Migrants
A single Redwing was logged.
Diurnal Migration
A skein of 35 Pink-footed Geese flew north.
Miscellaneous
Two Raven and a Merlin were the best of the rest.
Ringing
A colour-ringed Mute Swan had previously been ringed at Lower Thurnham, Lancashire on 20th August 2015.
Hooded Crow
3rd January 2021 – sunny spells/cold N1/2
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve remains open (1000-1600hrs) though the hides and visitor centre are closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
An early morning check of the sea again produced small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Common Scoter and Razorbill.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow put in its first appearance of the year.
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve remains open (1000-1600hrs) though the hides and visitor centre are closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
An early morning check of the sea again produced small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Common Scoter and Razorbill.
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow put in its first appearance of the year.
Walney Winter Bird Race
2nd January 2021 – bright and frosty N1
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve remains open (1000-1600hrs) though the hides and visitor centre are closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
Early morning observations over the sea produced small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Common Scoter, Razorbill, Shag and Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
Four Redwing were logged.
Diurnal Migration
Some evidence of cold weather movement with 120 Pink-footed Goose, 7 Barnacle Goose, 7 Whooper Swan and a Buzzard recorded.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 3 redhead Goosander remain and waders included 17 Purple Sandpiper, 2 Jack Snipe and Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
With the traditional CBC Winter Bird Race cancelled in 2021 due to the ongoing covid-19 lockdown restrictions a socially distanced Bird Race was suggested as a substitute with a set of rules aimed at practising social distancing and limiting travel to the observers local area. Two members of Walney BO were up for the challenge and on 2nd January 2021 both set out to independently scour Walney Island for as many species as possible. Colin Raven selected a route that involved a leisurely stroll around the centre of the island whilst Chris Turner decided on a more adventurous cycle route that also encompassed the nature reserves situated at both ends of the island. Remarkably despite the different modes of transport and routes both amassed 80 species in the day and a total of 92 species were recorded. Additional highlights to those above included: Merlin, Peregrine, Little Owl, Water Rail, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jay, Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Treecreeper, Goldcrest and Siskin.
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve remains open (1000-1600hrs) though the hides and visitor centre are closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Offshore
Early morning observations over the sea produced small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Common Scoter, Razorbill, Shag and Red-breasted Merganser.
Grounded Migrants
Four Redwing were logged.
Diurnal Migration
Some evidence of cold weather movement with 120 Pink-footed Goose, 7 Barnacle Goose, 7 Whooper Swan and a Buzzard recorded.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 3 redhead Goosander remain and waders included 17 Purple Sandpiper, 2 Jack Snipe and Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
With the traditional CBC Winter Bird Race cancelled in 2021 due to the ongoing covid-19 lockdown restrictions a socially distanced Bird Race was suggested as a substitute with a set of rules aimed at practising social distancing and limiting travel to the observers local area. Two members of Walney BO were up for the challenge and on 2nd January 2021 both set out to independently scour Walney Island for as many species as possible. Colin Raven selected a route that involved a leisurely stroll around the centre of the island whilst Chris Turner decided on a more adventurous cycle route that also encompassed the nature reserves situated at both ends of the island. Remarkably despite the different modes of transport and routes both amassed 80 species in the day and a total of 92 species were recorded. Additional highlights to those above included: Merlin, Peregrine, Little Owl, Water Rail, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jay, Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Treecreeper, Goldcrest and Siskin.
Happy New Year
1st January 2021 – bright and frosty NW2
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve remains open (1000-1600hrs) though the hides and visitor centre are closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 16 Purple Sandpiper and 2 Jack Snipe.
Miscellaneous
A flock of 30 Twite and 2 Raven were the best of the rest.
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve remains open (1000-1600hrs) though the hides and visitor centre are closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 16 Purple Sandpiper and 2 Jack Snipe.
Miscellaneous
A flock of 30 Twite and 2 Raven were the best of the rest.
Cetti's Warbler and Otter
30th December 2020 – frosty start/sunny spells/showers V1
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve remains open (1000-1600hrs) though the hides and visitor centre are closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Rarities
The Cetti's Warbler is still in residence, calling occasionally early morning amongst the reeds and scrub in the corner of Creephaw Marsh.
Grounded Migrants
A Woodcock provided a further hint of cold weather movement.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 22 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 380 pale-bellied birds and waders included 6 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A Peregrine was the best of the rest.
Mammals
An Otter was seen mid-morning.
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve remains open (1000-1600hrs) though the hides and visitor centre are closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Rarities
The Cetti's Warbler is still in residence, calling occasionally early morning amongst the reeds and scrub in the corner of Creephaw Marsh.
Grounded Migrants
A Woodcock provided a further hint of cold weather movement.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 22 Pink-footed Geese flew through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 380 pale-bellied birds and waders included 6 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A Peregrine was the best of the rest.
Mammals
An Otter was seen mid-morning.
Cetti's Warbler still in residence
28th December 2020 – cold start/sunny spells NNE2
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve remains open (1000-1600hrs) though the hides and visitor centre are closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Rarities
The Cetti's Warbler is still in residence, calling and showing occasionally amongst the reeds and scrub in the corner of Creephaw Marsh.
Grounded Migrants
A Mistle Thrush provided a hint of cold weather movement.
Wildfowl and Waders
The three redhead Goosander put in another appearance and waders included 3 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A Peregrine and 25 Twite were the best of the rest.
Notice
Please note that South Walney Nature Reserve remains open (1000-1600hrs) though the hides and visitor centre are closed to comply with social distancing measures.
Rarities
The Cetti's Warbler is still in residence, calling and showing occasionally amongst the reeds and scrub in the corner of Creephaw Marsh.
Grounded Migrants
A Mistle Thrush provided a hint of cold weather movement.
Wildfowl and Waders
The three redhead Goosander put in another appearance and waders included 3 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
A Peregrine and 25 Twite were the best of the rest.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)