Excellent ringing total for September

30th September 2013 – sunny spells E5
Offshore
Observations (0730-0830) provided 80 Black-headed Gull, 30 Wigeon, 20 Razorbill, 4 Shelduck, 3 Red-throated Diver and 2 Gannet.
Grounded Migrants
An influx of Robin saw 20 birds logged, otherwise grounded birds were limited to 6 Wheatear, 2 Chiffchaff and a Blackcap.
Diurnal Migration
Passage through the course of the morning included 1200 Meadow Pipit, 150 Pink-footed Goose, 80 Skylark, 55 Pied/White Wagtail, 12 Starling, 10 Swallow, 4 Jackdaw and a Reed Bunting.
Wildfowl and Waders
Sightings included 5 Greenshank and 3 Shoveler amongst 180 Teal. The 11 pale-bellied Brent Geese remain in residence.
Ringing
It proved to be the second best September ringing total achieved by the observatory with 715 birds of 20 species ringed. Individual species totals involved: Meadow Pipit (479), Robin (85), Goldfinch (45), Chiffchaff (22), House Sparrow (13), Chaffinch (12), Wren (12), Goldcrest (10), Dunnock (9), Greenfinch (7), Whitethroat (6), Willow Warbler (5), Blackcap (2), Reed Bunting (2), Spotted Flycatcher (1), Sparrowhawk (1), Pied Wagtail (1), Reed Warbler (1), Tree Pipit (1) and Red-breasted Flycatcher (1). Remarkably for the first time ever more Chiffchaff than Willow Warbler have been ringed this autumn emphasising the poor passage of the latter while the number of Robin ringed are the highest for many years.

Diurnal passage still to the fore

29th September 2013 – bright and sunny E5/6
Offshore
Observations (0730-1030) saw a variety of species on the move including 222 Common Scoter, 178 Black-headed Gull, 165 Razorbill, 62 Pintail, 39 Gannet, 7 Red-throated Diver, 8 Wigeon, 6 Shelduck, 2 Sandwich Tern and single Red-breasted Merganser and Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Still few grounded birds in evidence with just 5 Robin 2 Chiffchaff and a Stonechat candidates for new arrivals.
Diurnal Migration
Another strong passage through the morning produced 4000 Meadow Pipit, 505 Swallow, 120 Skylark, 120 Pink-footed Goose, 115 Pied/White Wagtail, 90 Linnet, 33 Starling, 31 Golden Plover, 18 Goldfinch, 8 House Martin and 2 Reed Bunting.
Miscellaneous
Also logged were 2 Raven, 2 Little Egret and a Merlin.

Still looking to the skies

28th September 2013 – bright and sunny E4
Offshore
A quick check over the sea produced 20 Razorbill, 8 Pintail, 5 Sandwich Tern, 3 Shelduck, 2 Gannet and a Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 11 Robin and 3 Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
Diurnal passage continues to dominate with 3000 Meadow Pipit, 540 Skylark, 280 Pink-footed Goose, 210 Linnet, 110 Swallow, 80 Pied/White Wagtail, 40 Starling, 8 Reed Bunting, 3 Grey Wagtail, 2 Tree Sparrow, 2 Siskin and a Lesser Redpoll.
Miscellaneous
At least 7 Little Egret were logged.

Hooded Crow

27th September 2013 – overcast SE2/3/4
Offshore
A check over the sea produced 130 Common Scoter, 3 Red-throated Diver, 2 Sandwich Tern and 2 Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
Again birds were thinly scattered with just 10 Robin, 3 Chiffchaff and 2 Song Thrush logged.
Diurnal Migration
Diurnal passage continues to dominate with 900 Meadow Pipit, 230 Pink-footed Goose, 60 Linnet, 30 Pied/White Wagtail, 22 Swallow, 20 Skylark, 10 Chaffinch and 2 Grey Wagtail recorded.
Miscellaneous
A Hooded Crow was perhaps the itinerant individual seen earlier in the year. Also seen were 2 Raven and a Merlin.

Overhead passage dominates sightings

25th September 2013 – overcast/mist/murk/calm
Grounded Migrants
Another smattering of grounded birds involved 8 Robin, 6 Wren, 3 Chiffchaff and single Goldcrest and Whitethroat.
Diurnal Migration
The skies continued to hold the most interest with 2500 Meadow Pipit, 200 Pink-footed Goose, 150 Swallow, 100 Linnet, 80 Skylark, 60 Pied/White Wagtail, 30 Snipe 8 Grey Wagtail, 2 Sand Martin and a Siskin.
Miscellaneous
Additional sightings included 5 Little Egret and 2 Raven.
Moths
An Autumnal Rustic was a less than annual visitant to the moth trap.

Marsh Harrier

24th September 2013 – overcast E1
Offshore
The sea provided small numbers of Gannet and Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A sprinkling of grounded birds involved 23 Robin, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest and single Blackcap, Spotted Flycatcher and Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
A juvenile Marsh Harrier was the pick of diurnal movement through the morning which also produced 1000 Meadow Pipit, 425 Pink-footed Goose, 40 Swallow, 30 Pied/White Wagtail, 20 Skylark, 8 Grey Wagtail and a Siskin.
Miscellaneous
Two Little Egret and a Peregrine were also recorded.

Passage remains light

23rd September 2013 – overcast/murky SE1
Offshore
Observations (0700-0745) in poor visibility produced just small numbers of Red-throated Diver, Gannet and Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
The theme of limited fare continues with only 3 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff and a Stonechat of any note.
Diurnal Migration
Again just light passage with 300 Meadow Pipit, 134 Pink-footed Goose, 15 Skylark, 9 Grey Wagtail, 6 Golden Plover, 5 Linnet and 3 Chaffinch logged.
Miscellaneous
Two Raven were the best of the rest.

Robin influx

21st September 2013 – overcast/drizzle SW3
Grounded Migrants
A Robin influx saw 30 birds logged but otherwise sightings were limited to 4 Goldcrest, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff and single Blackcap and Wheatear.
Diurnal Migration
There was evidence of some post dawn movement which quickly petered out with 500 Meadow Pipit, 20 Swallow, 4 Grey Wagtail, 2 Sand Martin and a Tree Pipit logged before the drizzle set in.
Wildfowl and Waders
Several Greenshank were again the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
A Barn Owl again hunted at dawn.

Red-breasted Flycatcher

20th September 2013 – overcast/early showers W3
Rarities
A Red-breasted Flycatcher at a location with no general public access was a surprise for the ringers – remarkably after a flurry of sightings in the 1980s this is the first to be seen on the island for 25 years.
Offshore
Early morning observations over the sea (0700-0800) provided 93 Common Scoter and 4 Red-throated Diver.
Grounded Migrants
Excepting the Red-breasted Flycatcher there was little of interest with just 10 Robin, 4 Chiffchaff and a Goldcrest to provide the supporting cast.
Diurnal Migration
Evidenced by 300 Meadow Pipit, 30 Swallow, 6 Chaffinch, 5 Grey Wagtail, 5 Pied/White Wagtail and 2 Sand Martin. Five Pink-footed Geese were the first of the autumn.
Wildfowl and Waders
Several Greenshank were the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
A Barn Owl hunted the island at dawn.
Images
Red-breasted Flycatcher.
obvious pale buff tips on the greater coverts allow the bird to be confidently aged as a bird of the year

First Brent Geese return

19th September 2013 – rain SSW4/5
Offshore
A quick check of the sea produced small numbers of Gannet, Sandwich Tern and Common Scoter.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 4 Chiffchaff and a few Robin.
Diurnal Migration
Two Grey Wagtail flew through before the rain set in.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 225 Golden Plover and 17 Greenshank amongst 1300 Redshank while the first 11 pale-bellied Brent Geese returned from the Canadian Arctic.
Miscellaneous
Two Merlin were seen and at least 7 Little Egret were logged.

Light passage

18th September 2013 – overcast/showers W5/6
Offshore
Observations (0700-0900) produced 165 Common Scoter, 14 Red-throated Diver, 7 Sandwich Tern and 3 Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
A smattering of birds involved 10 Robin, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap and 2 Spotted Flycatcher.
Diurnal Migration
A Tree Pipit and 6 Grey Wagtail were amongst 250 Meadow Pipit.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl included 3 Shoveler while a Whimbrel was the pick of the waders.

Leach’s Petrel and Black Tern

17th September 2013 – overcast/rain later W5/4
Offshore
Observations (0800-0900 & 1200-1430) produced 3 Leach’s Petrel and a Black Tern amongst 86 Sandwich Tern, 65 Common Scoter, 5 Shag, 4 Red-throated Diver, 4 Kittiwake, 4 Razorbill, 3 Fulmar, 2 Guillemot and single Arctic Skua and Manx Shearwater.
Grounded Migrants
A Yellow Wagtail was the pick of the grounded birds.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included 7 Greenshank.
Miscellaneous
Two Little Egret were logged.

Dreary Seawatching

16th September 2013 – overcast/showers W5/6
Offshore
Observations through the morning were desperately unrewarding with just 80 Common Scoter, 25 Sandwich Tern, 12 Kittiwake, 7 Gannet, 4 Red-throated Diver, 3 Guillemot, 2 Fulmar, 2 Arctic Tern and a Razorbill logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Two Black-tailed Godwit were seen.
Miscellaneous
A Little Egret was the best of the rest.

Some movement noted

14th September 2013 – bright and sunny NW1/2/3/4
Offshore
Morning observations just small numbers of Common Scoter, Gannet and Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
A few birds were in evidence with 15 Wheatear, 9 Robin, 6 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Yellow Wagtail and single Goldcrest, Sedge Warbler and Blackcap logged.
Diurnal Migration
Again just a light passage with 100 Meadow Pipit, 50 Swallow, 40 Tree Sparrow and 5 Grey Wagtail recorded through the morning.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Whimbrel was the pick of the waders.

Sanderling origins revealed

13th September 2013 – overcast NW3
Offshore
Morning observations provided just small numbers of Common Scoter, Gannet and Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Only 5 Chiffchaff and 3 Wheatear were of note.
Diurnal Migration
Again just a light passage of Meadow Pipit, Swallow and Grey Wagtail.
Miscellaneous
Two Water Rail were logged.
Ringing
A Sanderling controlled on the island on 11th June 2013 as it headed north to breed had originally been ringed on its wintering grounds at Iwik, Mauritania on 13th November 2011.

Autumn continues to flatter to deceive

12th September 2013 – overcast/misty V1
Offshore
Early morning observations over a flat calm sea (0700-0800) produced 121 Common Scoter and small numbers of Manx Shearwater, Gannet, Red-throated Diver and Razorbill.
Grounded Migrants
Despite the very promising conditions there was again only a smattering of grounded birds with variety provided by 16 Robin, 6 Whitethroat, 4 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest and single Reed Warbler, Blackcap and Spotted Flycatcher.
Diurnal Migration
Again just a light passage of 100 Meadow Pipit, 50 Swallow and small numbers of Pied/White Wagtail, Sand Martin, House Martin and Grey Wagtail.
Wildfowl and Waders
A Spotted Redshank proved to be the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
A Water Rail was the best of the rest.

Small fall

9th September 2013 – early showers then sunny spells V1
Grounded Migrants
A sprinkling of grounded birds included 26 Wheatear, 7 Robin, 4 Willow Warbler, 3 Whinchat, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Whitethroat and 2 Blackcap.
Diurnal Migration
Some movement was evident through the morning with 300 Meadow Pipit, 100 Swallow, 10 Pied/White Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Chaffinch and a Sand Martin logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Two Greenshank were seen.
Miscellaneous
Two Little Egret were recorded.

Osprey and Curlew Sandpiper influx

8th September 2013 – sunny spells and heavy showers SW3
Offshore
Morning observations (0630-0845) produced 158 Common Scoter, 45 Gannet, 4 Sandwich Tern, 3 Red-throated Diver and 2 Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
A few grounded birds were evident with 50 Pied/White Wagtail, 27 Wheatear, 4 Robin, 4 White Wagtail, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Chiffchaff and a Willow Warbler logged.
Diurnal Migration
An Osprey headed south in the afternoon.
Wildfowl and Waders
A good selection of waders included 16 Greenshank, 10 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Black-tailed Godwit and a Ruff.
Miscellaneous
A Barn Owl hunted the island early morning.

Wildfowl on the move

7th September 2013 – overcast/heavy rain at times SW3
Offshore
Observations through the morning (0700-0900 & 1130-1200) produced 1005 Common Scoter, 38 Gannet, 22 Wigeon, 3 Common Tern and single Red-throated Diver, Arctic Skua, Goldeneye and Pintail.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 21 Wheatear.
Wildfowl and Waders
Single Black-tailed Godwit and Whimbrel were the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
A Little Egret was also logged.

The slow autumn passage continues

6th September 2013 – overcast/calm then rain later
Offshore
A quick check over the sea again produced small numbers of Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Limited to 33 Wheatear, 10 White Wagtail and single Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff.
Diurnal Migration
A very light passage produced 30 Meadow Pipit, 10 alba Wagtail, 10 Swallow and a Grey Wagtail.
Miscellaneous
The Water Rail remains.
Moths
Numbers in the moth trap continue to fall but Lunar Underwing and Pink-barred Sallow were both new for the year.

Redstart the highlight

5th September 2013 – overcast/calm then NW3
Offshore
A quick check over the sea again produced 10 Sandwich Tern.
Grounded Migrants
Again disappointing considering the conditions with just 2 White Wagtail and single Chiffchaff, Wheatear and Redstart logged.
Diurnal Migration
Further light passage involved 30 Meadow Pipit, 20 Swallow, 10 House Martin, 5 alba Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail and a Sand Martin.
Wildfowl and Waders
Wildfowl continue to build with 100 Teal, 30 Wigeon, 3 Shoveler and a Pintail recorded. Waders included Greenshank and Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
The Water Rail remains.
Moths
An unremarkable small catch included a single Silver Y.

Spotted Redshank

4th September 2013 – overcast/early mist and fog SE2
Offshore
A quick check over the sea produced 10 Sandwich Tern but nothing else of note in poor visibility.
Grounded Migrants
Disappointing considering the conditions early morning, just 2 Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff and a Wheatear were logged.
Diurnal Migration
A light passage as conditions improved through the morning produced 60 Meadow Pipit, 50 House Martin, 50 Swallow, 22 alba Wagtail, 14 Linnet, 2 Sand Martin, 2 Little Egret and single Grey Wagtail and Tree Sparrow.
Wildfowl and Waders
Waders included Spotted Redshank, Greenshank and Whimbrel.
Miscellaneous
Single Water Rail, Raven and Merlin were the pick of the other sightings.
Moths
An immigrant Rusty Dot Pearl was the pick of a small catch.

Light passage

3rd September 2013 – overcast WSW2/3
Offshore
A quick check over the sea produced 50 Sandwich Tern and an Arctic Skua.
Grounded Migrants
A few more grounded birds were in evidence than of late with 25 Pied Wagtail, 12 Whitethroat, 6 Chiffchaff, 4 Robin, 4 Willow Warbler and single Stonechat and Sedge Warbler logged.
Diurnal Migration
A light passage produced 80 Meadow Pipit, 40 Swallow, 4 Grey Wagtail, 2 Tree Pipit and single House Martin and Collared Dove, .
Miscellaneous
Single Merlin and Little Egret were the best of the rest.

Mediterranean Gull

2nd September 2013 – overcast/drizzle at times SW3/4
Offshore
Morning observations (0930-1000) as the drizzle cleared produced 60 Sandwich Tern, 11 Gannet, 9 Common Scoter, 2 Arctic Skua and single Red-throated Diver, Kittiwake and Guillemot.
Grounded Migrants
Evidenced by 2 Chiffchaff and a Willow Warbler.
Wildfowl and Waders
The first Pintail has returned and 2 Greenshank were the pick of the waders.
Miscellaneous
Despite the plethora of Mediterranean Gulls on the other side of Morecambe Bay it remains a scarce sighting on the island and adult in winter plumage proved to be the first of the year. A Peregrine and 2 Little Egret proved to be the best of the rest.