28th January 2020 – overcast, frequent rain/hail showers W5/6
Rarities
The Water Pipit was again amongst 4 Rock Pipit feeding in the flooded horse paddocks at Biggar over the high tide.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 5 Scaup (3 females + 2 first-winter males) remain along with 170 pale-bellied Brent Goose and 47 Pintail. Waders included 4000 Knot and 4 Greenshank.
Ringing
A colour-ringed Rock Pipit flushed onto the salt marsh at high tide had been ringed at Makkevika, Giske, Møre & Romsdal, Norway (1,080km NNE) on 17th August 2019.
27th January 2020 – sun/showers SW3/4
Offshore
A check of the sea (0830-0930) revealed 32 Razorbill, 18 Common Scoter, 14 Red-breasted Merganser and 9 Red-throated Diver, .
Wildfowl and Waders
The 5 Scaup (3 females + 2 first-winter males) remain along with 116 pale-bellied Brent Goose and 52 Pintail. Waders included 4000 Knot and 3000 Oystercatcher.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow put in yet another appearance.
26th January 2020 – overcast/rain, clearing later SSE4/5
Rarities
The Water Pipit was again amongst 6 Rock Pipit and 12 Meadow Pipit in the flooded horse paddocks at Biggar over the high tide.
Offshore
A quick check of the sea as the weather front closed in produced just 12 Common Scoter, 3 Red-throated Diver, 3 Red-breasted Merganser and a Razorbill.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 5 Scaup (3 females + 2 first-winter males) remain along with a total of 321 pale-bellied Brent Goose, 84 Pintail and 4 Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow put in another appearance.
25th January 2020 – overcast/mist/mizzle/S1
Offshore
A check of the sea as the weather began to clear (1030-1130) produced 11 Common Scoter, 9 Red-throated Diver and 2 Kittiwake.
Grounded Migrants
Again a Mistle Thrush was logged.
Diurnal Migration
A group of 5 adult Whooper Swan headed north.
Wildfowl and Waders
A total of 340 pale-bellied Brent Goose were logged.
Miscellaneous
A Treecreeper was amongst 16 Long-tailed Tit and 2 Peregrine were the best of the rest.
24th January 2020 – overcast/mist/mizzle/calm
Offshore
The sea was visible for the first time in a few days and observations (0930-1030) produced 41 Common Scoter, 18 Red-throated Diver, 10 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Kittiwake and a Shag before the weather again closed in.
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 2 Mistle Thrush and a Redwing.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin was the best of the rest.
23rd January 2020 – dense fog/calm
Miscellaneous
A Little Owl was the only bird of note.
22nd January 2020 – dense fog/calm
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved a Mistle Thrush
Miscellaneous
The long-staying Hooded Crow loomed out of the fog.
21st January 2020 – overcast/mist/mizzle/calm
Offshore
Morning observations (0830-1000) revealed 80 Red-throated Diver, 39 Shag, 21 Common Scoter, 8 Razorbill, 7 Guillemot and 5 Red-breasted Merganser
Grounded Migrants
Early morning thrushes involved 3 Fieldfare and 3 Redwing.
Wildfowl and Waders
The 5 Scaup remain (3 females, 2 first-winter males) and waders included 4 Greenshank, 130 Sanderling and 4,000 Knot.
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow continues in residence and a Water Rail called.
20th January 2020 – sunny spells W1
Offshore
Morning observations (0830-0930) revealed 100 Common Scoter, 33 Red-throated Diver, 11 Red-breasted Merganser and 5 Razorbill
Miscellaneous
The Hooded Crow continues in residence, a flock of 28 Twite were seen and single Barn Owl and Little Owl were logged.
