Founded in 1964, the work of Walney Bird Observatory is funded entirely by membership subscription. Since 1965 it has been an accredited member of the British Trust for Ornithology’s bird observatories network which operates across Britain and Ireland. Bird Observatories are at the forefront of conservation, monitoring bird populations through the medium of census work, daily recording of migrants and ringing.
13th April 2025 – sunny spells W3/4 Offshore A check of the sea early morning produced 65 Sandwich Tern, 46 Common Scoter, 22 Gannet, 21 Kittiwake, 12 Guillemot, 7 Razorbill, 4 Shag and 4 Red-throated Diver. Grounded Migrants The first Grasshopper Warbler and Sedge Warbler have arrived in breeding habitat and grounded migrants involved 6 Wheatear, 6 Willow Warbler and single Chiffchaff and Blackcap. Wildfowl and Waders The Brent Goose flock held 330 light-bellied birds and waders included 500 Golden Plover, 41 Bar-tailed Godwit and 8 Whimbrel. Miscellaneous The long-staying Hooded Crow remains.
12th April 2025 – sunny spells ESE2/4 Offshore A check of the sea revealed 60 Sandwich Tern, 44 Common Scoter, 23 Kittiwake, 14 Gannet, 14 Guillemot, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Red-throated Diver and 4 Shag. Grounded Migrants Highlights involved the first Ring Ouzel and Cuckoo of the year amongst 12 Wheatear, 6 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap and a Fieldfare. Diurnal Migration A total of 330 Pink-footed Geese flew through. Wildfowl and Waders The Brent Goose flock held 100 light-bellied birds and waders included 480 Golden Plover and 19 Snipe. Miscellaneous The long-staying Hooded Crow was joined by a second individual.
11th April 2025 – dense fog then bright and sunny/calm Grounded Migrants A small fall of migrants produced 10 Willow Warbler, 8 Blackcap, 5 Wheatear, 2 Chiffchaff and single Redstart, Whitethroat, Fieldfare and Redwing. Diurnal Migration A total of 10 Meadow Pipit was logged. Wildfowl and Waders Waders included 310 Golden Plover and a Whimbrel – the latter the first of the year. Miscellaneous The long-staying Hooded Crow remains and a Water Rail was the best of the rest.
10th April 2025 – bright and sunny/haze/calm Offshore Observations over the sea revealed 80 Common Scoter, 35 Sandwich Tern, 12 Kittiwake, 12 Gannet, 6 Red-throated Diver, 5 Shag, 3 Red-breasted Merganser and 2 Guillemot. Grounded Migrants Limited to 7 Wheatear, 2 White Wagtail, 2 Blackcap, 2 Willow Warbler and a Chiffchaff. Diurnal Migration A total of 30 Meadow Pipit was logged. Wildfowl and Waders There are now 2 Coot and waders included 300 Knot and a Purple Sandpiper. Miscellaneous The long-staying Hooded Crow remains and single Merlin and Water Rail were the best of the rest.
9th April 2025 – bright and sunny ENE2/3 Offshore Observations over the sea revealed 110 Sandwich Tern, 100 Common Scoter, 22 Kittiwake, 15 Red-throated Diver, 14 Gannet and 2 Shag. Grounded Migrants Limited to 5 White Wagtail, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Wheatear and a Blackcap. Diurnal Migration Totals of 40 Meadow Pipit, 2 Swallow and a Sand Martin were logged. Wildfowl and Waders The Coot remains and waders included 550 Golden Plover and the first Common Sandpiper of the year. Miscellaneous The long-staying Hooded Crow remains and a Buzzard hunted the island.
8th April 2025 – bright and sunny/haze V1/2 Offshore Early morning observations over the sea revealed 105 Common Scoter, 42 Sandwich Tern, 24 Gannet, 7 Red-throated Diver, 2 Shag nd 2 Red-breasted Merganser. Grounded Migrants Limited to a single Willow Warbler. Diurnal Migration Totals of 160 Pink-footed Goose and single Swallow and Redpoll flew through. Wildfowl and Waders Waders included 300 Knot and 250 Golden Plover. Miscellaneous A Great White Egret was the highlight of the day, while the Hooded Crow remains.
7th April 2025 – bright and sunny ESE2/3 Offshore Observations over the sea revealed 90 Common Scoter, 30 Sandwich Tern, 12 Gannet, 4 Shag, 2 Red-throated Diver and a Kittiwake. Grounded Migrants Limited to 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler and 2 Mistle Thrush. Diurnal Migration Totals of 41 Pink-footed Goose, 10 Meadow Pipit, 3 Swallow and 2 Sand Martin were logged. Miscellaneous At least one Cetti’s Warbler remains along with the long-staying Hooded Crow.
6th April 2025 – bright and sunny E3/4 Offshore Observations over the sea revealed 40 Sandwich Tern, 21 Gannet, 17 Common Scoter, 5Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Red-throated Diver and 2 Shag. Grounded Migrants Limited to 3 Wheatear, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler and a Blackcap. Diurnal Migration Totals of 30 Meadow Pipit, 28 Pink-footed Goose, 12 Sand Martin and single Swallow and Redpoll were logged. Wildfowl and Waders Two Goldeneye remain. Miscellaneous The Hooded Crow and a Merlin were the best of the rest.
5th April 2025 – bright and sunny/haze ENE3/6 Offshore Observations over the sea revealed 20 Sandwich Tern, 17 Common Scoter, 9 Gannet, 6 Red-throated Diver, 6 Guillemot and 2 Red-breasted Merganser. Grounded Migrants Limited to a Wheatear. Diurnal Migration Totals of 300 Meadow Pipit and a Siskin were logged. Wildfowl and Waders A Coot was seen – the first and perhaps only record of the year for what is now a rare species on the island. Miscellaneous The Hooded Crow remains and the islands “woodland” produced 12 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warbler and 4 Jay.
