9th January 2011 – early rain, clearing to sunny spells later W7/6/5/4/3
Rarities
Heavy overnight rain saw a Water Pipit once again taking advantage of the flooded fields and horse paddocks near Biggar.
Offshore
A quick check over the sea early morning produced 12 Red-throated Diver, 7 Common Scoter, 4 Kittiwake, 4 Razorbill and 2 Shag. A Slavonian Grebe was seen later in the day.
Grounded Migrants
Single Woodcock, Fieldfare, Redwing and Brambling were considered leftovers from previous arrivals.
Wildfowl and Waders
The flock of 35 Barnacle Geese continue to linger and the Brent Goose flock held 120 pale-bellied individuals while waders included 120 Sanderling, 3 Purple Sandpiper and 2 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Raptors involved single Common Buzzard, Hen Harrier and Peregrine.
Following last years postponement due to the severe winter weather a team from Walney Bird Observatory again took up the challenge of the annual Cumbria Winter Bird Race and amassed a total of 109 species within the county boundaries to retain the trophy for another year. An early morning incursion on to the mainland accounted for Tawny Owl before a return to more familiar territory saw a further 67 species added on the island with a Little Egret providing a fine flypast to a 1030hrs departure. Many of the commoner woodland species – the majority rarities on the island - were then added in the darkest depths of Cumbria, including Treecreeper to bring up the century at 1350hrs. However, highlights en route to a 1700hrs finish at Cockermouth included Green Sandpiper in flooded fields at Newbiggin and a Long-tailed Duck hiding behind a Red-necked Grebe at Waterhead, Windermere.
Rarities
Heavy overnight rain saw a Water Pipit once again taking advantage of the flooded fields and horse paddocks near Biggar.
Offshore
A quick check over the sea early morning produced 12 Red-throated Diver, 7 Common Scoter, 4 Kittiwake, 4 Razorbill and 2 Shag. A Slavonian Grebe was seen later in the day.
Grounded Migrants
Single Woodcock, Fieldfare, Redwing and Brambling were considered leftovers from previous arrivals.
Wildfowl and Waders
The flock of 35 Barnacle Geese continue to linger and the Brent Goose flock held 120 pale-bellied individuals while waders included 120 Sanderling, 3 Purple Sandpiper and 2 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Raptors involved single Common Buzzard, Hen Harrier and Peregrine.
Following last years postponement due to the severe winter weather a team from Walney Bird Observatory again took up the challenge of the annual Cumbria Winter Bird Race and amassed a total of 109 species within the county boundaries to retain the trophy for another year. An early morning incursion on to the mainland accounted for Tawny Owl before a return to more familiar territory saw a further 67 species added on the island with a Little Egret providing a fine flypast to a 1030hrs departure. Many of the commoner woodland species – the majority rarities on the island - were then added in the darkest depths of Cumbria, including Treecreeper to bring up the century at 1350hrs. However, highlights en route to a 1700hrs finish at Cockermouth included Green Sandpiper in flooded fields at Newbiggin and a Long-tailed Duck hiding behind a Red-necked Grebe at Waterhead, Windermere.
