17th September 2017 – Bright start then sunny spells NNE1
Offshore
A scan of the sea revealed just small numbers of Red-throated Diver and Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
Disappointingly quiet with just 18 Robin, 6 Stonechat, 3 Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaff and single Spotted Flycatcher, Whinchat, Wheatear and Whitethroat recorded.
Diurnal Migration
Pink-footed Geese again dominated sightings with 530 birds logged along with 120 Swallow, 100 Meadow Pipit, 40 House Martin, 30 Skylark, 12 Chaffinch, 10 alba Wagtail, 4 Grey Wagtail and a Siskin logged
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Ruff and 8 Greenshank.
Moths
Black Rustic and Lunar Underwing were new for the year.
Variety rather than quantity
16th September 2017 – early rain then sunny spells N2 then NW3
Offshore
An early morning check of the sea (0715-0815) produced 60 Kittiwake, 20 Razorbill, 17 Gannet, 10 Sandwich Tern, 3 Guillemot and a Common Scoter.
Grounded Migrants
Variety rather than quantity was the order of the day with sightings including: 15 Robin, 9 Chiffchaff, 7 Wheatear, 5 Goldcrest, 3 Blackcap, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler and single Lesser Whitethroat, Whinchat, Whitethroat and Spotted Flycatcher.
Diurnal Migration
Pink-footed Geese dominated sightings with 900 birds logged along with 120 Meadow Pipit, 40 Skylark, 31 Swallow, 14 alba Wagtail, 7 Chaffinch, 6 Tree Sparrow, 6 Grey Wagtail, 4 Sand Martin and 2 Siskin.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Ruff and 2 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
At least 62 Little Egret are now along the eastern shore and raptors included 2 Peregrine and Merlin.
Offshore
An early morning check of the sea (0715-0815) produced 60 Kittiwake, 20 Razorbill, 17 Gannet, 10 Sandwich Tern, 3 Guillemot and a Common Scoter.
Grounded Migrants
Variety rather than quantity was the order of the day with sightings including: 15 Robin, 9 Chiffchaff, 7 Wheatear, 5 Goldcrest, 3 Blackcap, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler and single Lesser Whitethroat, Whinchat, Whitethroat and Spotted Flycatcher.
Diurnal Migration
Pink-footed Geese dominated sightings with 900 birds logged along with 120 Meadow Pipit, 40 Skylark, 31 Swallow, 14 alba Wagtail, 7 Chaffinch, 6 Tree Sparrow, 6 Grey Wagtail, 4 Sand Martin and 2 Siskin.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Ruff and 2 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
At least 62 Little Egret are now along the eastern shore and raptors included 2 Peregrine and Merlin.
Pink-feet on the move
15th September 2017 – sunny spells NNW2/3
Grounded Migrants
A bits and pieces sort of day with 10 Robin, 8 Goldcrest, 2 Whinchat and single Wheatear, Blackcap and Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 650 Pink-footed Geese headed south along with 40 Swallow and 5 Grey Wagtail.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Grey Phalarope remained for a third day and other sightings included 5 Greenshank, 2 Black-tailed Godwit and a Ruff.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin was the best of the rest.
Moths
Immigrants involved 5 Silver Y and a Dark Swordgrass.
Grounded Migrants
A bits and pieces sort of day with 10 Robin, 8 Goldcrest, 2 Whinchat and single Wheatear, Blackcap and Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A total of 650 Pink-footed Geese headed south along with 40 Swallow and 5 Grey Wagtail.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Grey Phalarope remained for a third day and other sightings included 5 Greenshank, 2 Black-tailed Godwit and a Ruff.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin was the best of the rest.
Moths
Immigrants involved 5 Silver Y and a Dark Swordgrass.
Grey Phalarope remains
14th September 2017 – sunshine and showers NW2 then WNW4/5/6
Offshore
Only small numbers of Gannet, Kittiwake and Common Scoter were logged.
Grounded Migrants
Again grounded birds were limited to 2 Goldcrest and single Chiffchaff and Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
Three small skeins of Pink-footed Geese totalling 130 birds headed south early evening.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Grey Phalarope remains in residence.
Moths
Immigrants involved a Dark Swordgrass and 3 Silver Y.
Offshore
Only small numbers of Gannet, Kittiwake and Common Scoter were logged.
Grounded Migrants
Again grounded birds were limited to 2 Goldcrest and single Chiffchaff and Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
Three small skeins of Pink-footed Geese totalling 130 birds headed south early evening.
Wildfowl and Waders
The Grey Phalarope remains in residence.
Moths
Immigrants involved a Dark Swordgrass and 3 Silver Y.
Grey Phalarope new in
13th September 2017 – sunshine and showers WNW5/6 then W 5/4
Offshore
Although at least one storm-driven Gannet was grounded on the island early morning the wind was in the WNW and inevitably there was little activity noted over the sea. Despite much effort 2 Leach's Petrel and a single Arctic Skua were the best amongst meagre numbers of Gannet, Kittiwake and Common Scoter.
Grounded Migrants
Grounded birds were limited to 2 Goldcrest and single Chiffchaff and Wheatear.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Grey Phalarope was easily the pick of the days sightings which also included 4 Greenshank and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin stalked a flock of 100 Linnet.
Offshore
Although at least one storm-driven Gannet was grounded on the island early morning the wind was in the WNW and inevitably there was little activity noted over the sea. Despite much effort 2 Leach's Petrel and a single Arctic Skua were the best amongst meagre numbers of Gannet, Kittiwake and Common Scoter.
Grounded Migrants
Grounded birds were limited to 2 Goldcrest and single Chiffchaff and Wheatear.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Grey Phalarope was easily the pick of the days sightings which also included 4 Greenshank and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
A Merlin stalked a flock of 100 Linnet.
More Leach’s Petrels
12th September 2017 – overcast/rain later SW4/3/2
Offshore
The wind again switched to the SW by evening and although lighter than the last few days observations over the tide (1530-1830) produced 10 Leach’s Petrel along with 23 Common Scoter, 17 Sandwich Tern, 11 Gannet, 8 Red-throated Diver, 3 Kittiwake and a Manx Shearwater.
Offshore
The wind again switched to the SW by evening and although lighter than the last few days observations over the tide (1530-1830) produced 10 Leach’s Petrel along with 23 Common Scoter, 17 Sandwich Tern, 11 Gannet, 8 Red-throated Diver, 3 Kittiwake and a Manx Shearwater.
Wrong winds!
11th September 2017 – sunshine and heavy showers WNW5/6 gusting to 8
Offshore
The wind switched back to WNW reducing activity with observations over the tide (1530-1730) producing just 16 Razorbill, 11 Common Scoter, 9 Gannet. 5 Red-throated Diver, 5 Kittiwake, 4 Fulmar, 2 Guillemot and single Arctic Skua and Manx Shearwater.
Offshore
The wind switched back to WNW reducing activity with observations over the tide (1530-1730) producing just 16 Razorbill, 11 Common Scoter, 9 Gannet. 5 Red-throated Diver, 5 Kittiwake, 4 Fulmar, 2 Guillemot and single Arctic Skua and Manx Shearwater.
Wilson’s and Leach’s Petrels
10th September 2017 – overcast with heavy showers SSW3/4/5 gusting to 8
Offshore
The switch of the wind from the NW brought the sea to life. Early observations in light winds (0800-0900) produced a juvenile Pomarine Skua along with 100 Common Scoter, 52 Gannet, 18 Kittiwake, 13 Sandwich Tern, 10 Razorbill, 2 Red-throated Diver and a Manx Shearwater. A second watch over the tide (1400-1700) as the wind strengthened and the showers intensified proved even more productive with a Wilson’s Petrel (1510hrs) amongst 6 Leach’s Petrel (1450-1645hrs) and 2 adult intermediate phase Pomarine Skua. Also seen were 315 Kittiwake, 100 Gannet, 26 Common Scoter, 23 Manx Shearwater, 8 Fulmar, 7 Red-throated Diver and 3 Arctic Skua.
Grounded Migrants
Grounded birds involved 14 Goldcrest and single Wheatear and White Wagtail.
Diurnal Migration
A few birds were on the move prior to the weather deteriorating including 130 Meadow Pipit, 20 Swallow and 17 Grey Wagtail.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 8 Greenshank, 5 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
Finches included a flock of 210 Goldfinch while 2 Raven and a Merlin were the best of the rest.
Offshore
The switch of the wind from the NW brought the sea to life. Early observations in light winds (0800-0900) produced a juvenile Pomarine Skua along with 100 Common Scoter, 52 Gannet, 18 Kittiwake, 13 Sandwich Tern, 10 Razorbill, 2 Red-throated Diver and a Manx Shearwater. A second watch over the tide (1400-1700) as the wind strengthened and the showers intensified proved even more productive with a Wilson’s Petrel (1510hrs) amongst 6 Leach’s Petrel (1450-1645hrs) and 2 adult intermediate phase Pomarine Skua. Also seen were 315 Kittiwake, 100 Gannet, 26 Common Scoter, 23 Manx Shearwater, 8 Fulmar, 7 Red-throated Diver and 3 Arctic Skua.
Grounded Migrants
Grounded birds involved 14 Goldcrest and single Wheatear and White Wagtail.
Diurnal Migration
A few birds were on the move prior to the weather deteriorating including 130 Meadow Pipit, 20 Swallow and 17 Grey Wagtail.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 8 Greenshank, 5 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
Finches included a flock of 210 Goldfinch while 2 Raven and a Merlin were the best of the rest.
Pomarine Skua
9th September 2017 – early heavy showers then sunny spells NW3/4
Offshore
Early morning observations (0800-0900) as the showers began to clear were led by an adult pale phase Pomarine Skua moving out of Morecambe Bay. Also seen were 56 Kittiwake, 39 Common Scoter, 19 Gannet, 8 Sandwich Tern, 4 Razorbill and 2 Arctic Skua.
Grounded Migrants
Grounded birds were limited to 6 Wheatear, 3 Whitethroat, 3 Goldcrest, 2 White Wagtail, 2 Chiffchaff and a Garden Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
A few birds were on the move as the showers relented with 60 Tree Sparrow, 50 Meadow Pipit, 10 Swallow and 4 Grey Wagtail recorded.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 1470 Curlew, 330 Golden Plover, 200 Grey Plover and 4 Ruff.
Offshore
Early morning observations (0800-0900) as the showers began to clear were led by an adult pale phase Pomarine Skua moving out of Morecambe Bay. Also seen were 56 Kittiwake, 39 Common Scoter, 19 Gannet, 8 Sandwich Tern, 4 Razorbill and 2 Arctic Skua.
Grounded Migrants
Grounded birds were limited to 6 Wheatear, 3 Whitethroat, 3 Goldcrest, 2 White Wagtail, 2 Chiffchaff and a Garden Warbler.
Diurnal Migration
A few birds were on the move as the showers relented with 60 Tree Sparrow, 50 Meadow Pipit, 10 Swallow and 4 Grey Wagtail recorded.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 1470 Curlew, 330 Golden Plover, 200 Grey Plover and 4 Ruff.
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