24th March 2020 – hazy sun SSE2/3
Notice
Please note that in line with the advice on essential travel Walney Bird Observatory has closed until further notice.
Offshore
An early morning socially isolated check of the sea (0630-0830) produced 95 Common Scoter, 22 Red-throated Diver, 10 Guillemot, 6 Razorbill, 6 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Kittiwake 2 Gannet and 2 Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Five Goldcrest and a Wheatear were logged.
Diurnal Migration
A Lesser Redpoll flew through.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow put in another appearance.
Seabirds on the move
23rd March 2020 – hazy sun SSE3
Notice
Please note that in line with recent advice on essential travel South Walney Nature Reserve is now unfortunately closed to vehicles until further notice.
Offshore
An early morning check of the sea (0630-0830) produced 135 Common Scoter, 27 Red-throated Diver, 18 Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Guillemot, 2 Pintail and 2 Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
Just a single Goldcrest was logged.
Diurnal Migration
An early morning trickle of Meadow Pipit were seen.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 107 light-bellied birds and waders included 30 Grey Plover.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow put in another appearance.
Notice
Please note that in line with recent advice on essential travel South Walney Nature Reserve is now unfortunately closed to vehicles until further notice.
Offshore
An early morning check of the sea (0630-0830) produced 135 Common Scoter, 27 Red-throated Diver, 18 Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Guillemot, 2 Pintail and 2 Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
Just a single Goldcrest was logged.
Diurnal Migration
An early morning trickle of Meadow Pipit were seen.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Brent Goose flock held 107 light-bellied birds and waders included 30 Grey Plover.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow put in another appearance.
More hints of migration
22nd March 2020 – hazy sun SE3
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed 46 Red-breasted Merganser, 15 Common Scoter, 3 Red-throated Diver and a Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Just a single Wheatear and 2 Chiffchaff were logged.
Diurnal Migration
A Siskin was amongst a trickle of Meadow Pipit.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 3 Scaup remain (2 males + female) and the Brent Goose flock held 323 light-bellied birds. Waders included 25 Golden Plover.
Ringing
Two colour-ringed Eider were noted.
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed 46 Red-breasted Merganser, 15 Common Scoter, 3 Red-throated Diver and a Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Just a single Wheatear and 2 Chiffchaff were logged.
Diurnal Migration
A Siskin was amongst a trickle of Meadow Pipit.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 3 Scaup remain (2 males + female) and the Brent Goose flock held 323 light-bellied birds. Waders included 25 Golden Plover.
Ringing
Two colour-ringed Eider were noted.
Further hints of migration
21st March 2020 – overcast E5/6
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed 23 Common Scoter, 11 Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Shag and a Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Two Wheatear and 2 Chiffchaff were logged.
Diurnal Migration
Despite the wind a few species were still on the move with 160 Meadow Pipit and 20 Whooper Swan moving through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 3 Scaup remain (2 males + female).
Ringing
A colour-ringed Cormorant and Eider were noted.
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed 23 Common Scoter, 11 Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Shag and a Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Two Wheatear and 2 Chiffchaff were logged.
Diurnal Migration
Despite the wind a few species were still on the move with 160 Meadow Pipit and 20 Whooper Swan moving through.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 3 Scaup remain (2 males + female).
Ringing
A colour-ringed Cormorant and Eider were noted.
Whooper Swans on the move
20th March 2020 – bright and sunny NE2/3
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed 9 Red-throated Diver, 6 Common Scoter, 4 Red-breasted Merganser and 4 Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Single Redwing and Goldcrest were logged.
Diurnal Migration
Wildfowl were on the move with 125 Pink-footed Geese and 106 Whooper Swan logged, also seen were 60 Meadow Pipit, 16 Jackdaw, 6 Pied Wagtail and a Rook.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 3 Scaup remain (2 males + female).
Offshore
A check of the sea revealed 9 Red-throated Diver, 6 Common Scoter, 4 Red-breasted Merganser and 4 Shag.
Grounded Migrants
Single Redwing and Goldcrest were logged.
Diurnal Migration
Wildfowl were on the move with 125 Pink-footed Geese and 106 Whooper Swan logged, also seen were 60 Meadow Pipit, 16 Jackdaw, 6 Pied Wagtail and a Rook.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 3 Scaup remain (2 males + female).
More signs of spring
19th March 2020 – sunny spells/calm
Offshore
Early morning observations produced 26 Red-breasted Merganser, 25 Common Scoter, 12 Red-throated Diver, 7 Shag and 2 Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Two Goldcrest and a Chiffchaff were logged.
Diurnal Migration
Passage included 20 Meadow Pipit, 18 Jackdaw, 8 Greylag Goose and a Pink-footed Goose.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 3 Scaup remain (2 males + female).
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow made another appearance.
Butterflies and Moths
A Small Tortoiseshell was on the wing in the sunshine and Early Thorn and Dark Sword-grass were the first moths to be attracted to the moth trap this year.
Offshore
Early morning observations produced 26 Red-breasted Merganser, 25 Common Scoter, 12 Red-throated Diver, 7 Shag and 2 Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Two Goldcrest and a Chiffchaff were logged.
Diurnal Migration
Passage included 20 Meadow Pipit, 18 Jackdaw, 8 Greylag Goose and a Pink-footed Goose.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 3 Scaup remain (2 males + female).
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow made another appearance.
Butterflies and Moths
A Small Tortoiseshell was on the wing in the sunshine and Early Thorn and Dark Sword-grass were the first moths to be attracted to the moth trap this year.
Changing of the seasons
18th March 2020 – overcast SW2/3
Offshore
Early morning observations produced 12 Red-throated Diver, 12 Common Scoter, 6 Shag, 3 Red-breasted Merganser and a Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Two Fieldfare and single Wheatear, Redwing and Chiffchaff were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Five Shoveler were seen (3 males + 2 females) and 3 Scaup remain (2 males + female).
Miscellaneous
Single Merlin and Peregrine were the best of the rest.
Offshore
Early morning observations produced 12 Red-throated Diver, 12 Common Scoter, 6 Shag, 3 Red-breasted Merganser and a Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Two Fieldfare and single Wheatear, Redwing and Chiffchaff were logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Five Shoveler were seen (3 males + 2 females) and 3 Scaup remain (2 males + female).
Miscellaneous
Single Merlin and Peregrine were the best of the rest.
Rubbish seawatch
17th March 2020 – mist/fog/drizzle/rain SW3/4/5/6
Offshore
A morning check of the sea in steadily deteriorating conditions produced just 8 Common Scoter, 4 Red-breasted Merganser and 2 Red-throated Diver.
Offshore
A morning check of the sea in steadily deteriorating conditions produced just 8 Common Scoter, 4 Red-breasted Merganser and 2 Red-throated Diver.
Short-eared Owl and Hooded Crow
16th March 2020 – sunny spells/rain later SW3/4/5
Offshore
A morning check of the sea produced 11 Red-throated Diver, 8 Common Scoter and 5 Shag.
Grounded Migrants
A single Goldcrest was logged.
Diurnal Migration
Evidence of movement was provided by 50 Meadow Pipit, 20 Carrion Crow, 10 Pied Wagtail, 4 Jackdaw, 3 Siskin and 3 Rook.
Wildfowl and Waders
Six Shoveler were seen (3 males + 3 females).
Miscellaneous
A Short-eared Owl and the long-staying Hooded Crow were the best of the rest.
Offshore
A morning check of the sea produced 11 Red-throated Diver, 8 Common Scoter and 5 Shag.
Grounded Migrants
A single Goldcrest was logged.
Diurnal Migration
Evidence of movement was provided by 50 Meadow Pipit, 20 Carrion Crow, 10 Pied Wagtail, 4 Jackdaw, 3 Siskin and 3 Rook.
Wildfowl and Waders
Six Shoveler were seen (3 males + 3 females).
Miscellaneous
A Short-eared Owl and the long-staying Hooded Crow were the best of the rest.
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